How much does it cost to rent a car in Reunion?

Economy cars start from $16 a day. Compact cars, SUVs and automatics cost more, and rates rise in school holiday weeks. Free cancellation lets you book early and switch if a lower rate appears.

Do I need a 4x4 to drive in Reunion?

No. A standard car reaches Cilaos, Salazie, Maïdo and the Pas de Bellecombe car park at the volcano on paved roads. A 4x4 only matters for unpaved forest tracks, and many rental agreements exclude those roads anyway.

Can I drive to Piton de la Fournaise, and what if it is closed?

Yes. Drive the Route Forestière du Volcan to the Pas de Bellecombe car park, where the walk begins. During eruption alert levels 1 and 2, access to the Enclos Fouqué and the summit closes, so check the alert status that morning.

What should I do if a cyclone is forecast?

Follow the Météo France Réunion colour alerts. Under orange and red alerts, stay off the roads, and rental desks may close or postpone pickups. Cancel free of charge before pickup if your plans change.

Can I drive into the Cirque de Mafate?

No. Mafate has no road. Reach it on foot from trailheads such as Dos d'Âne, above La Possession, or by helicopter. Leave your rental car parked at the trailhead and carry water, food and a rain jacket.

Does the coast road near Saint-Denis close?

Yes. The Route du Littoral, including the new sea viaduct, closes at times for rockfall risk, heavy swell, strong wind or maintenance. A closure can add 30 to 60 minutes, so check road status before heading west.

What should I check at pickup so I am not charged for damage later?

Walk around the car with the agent and photograph every scratch, dent and wheel mark, plus the windscreen. Narrow cirque roads and tight parking cause most scrapes. Make sure each mark is on the rental form before you sign.

What if my flight lands before dawn or late at night?

Add your flight number when you book, so the supplier tracks your arrival. If the flight runs late, call the supplier number on your confirmation so the keys and the desk are ready when you reach Roland Garros Airport.

When is traffic the worst around Saint-Denis?

Traffic builds around Saint-Denis and along the west coast on weekday mornings and from mid afternoon. Leave Roland Garros Airport outside those hours and give the Cilaos road a full morning, since slow trucks and bends lengthen the drive.

Rent a Car in Reunion

Book Reunion car rental online from $16 a day with free cancellation. Pick up at Roland Garros Airport (RUN) or Saint-Denis.

Pickup

Roland Garros Airport
Saint-Denis
Downtown
Saint-Denis

Drop-off

Please select pickup location first.

Date &Time

11/10/2026 10:00 AM 11/11/2026 10:00 AM

Driver Age

Free Cancellation

Plans change, so cancelling costs nothing. Cancel your Reunion car rental before pickup and pay no fee at all.

Fair Fuel Policy

Return the car with the same fuel level you received and pay no fuel charge. Photograph the fuel gauge at pickup and again at return.

No Hidden Charges

Pay the full rental amount at the counter, with nothing to pay online. The price shown when you book is the price you will pay.

Car Hire Reunion: Essential 10 Tips

Plan Your Reunion Road Trip

Drive to Pas de Bellecombe for the Piton de la Fournaise volcano, wind up to the cirques of Cilaos and Salazie, and finish on the sunny Saint-Gilles lagoon beaches. Mafate has no road, so you walk in. Our guide to the best places to visit in Reunion by car maps each route.

Documents for Visitors

Bring your passport, a full driving licence held for a year, and a credit card. EU licences are valid. If your licence is from outside the EU and not in French, carry an International Driving Permit with it.

Manual and Automatic Cars

Most Reunion rental cars have a manual gearbox. Automatics cost more and sell out first, so book one early if you need it. Choose your gearbox at booking, because swaps are rare.

Deposit and Credit Card

Your credit card must carry the main driver's name. The supplier holds a refundable deposit on it and releases the hold after return. Some suppliers accept debit cards, but a credit card is safer.

Speed Limits in Reunion

Drive on the right. Limits are 50 km/h in towns, 80 to 90 km/h on rural roads and 110 km/h on expressways, or 100 km/h in rain. Some mountain sections post 30 km/h. Fixed and mobile cameras send fines to the supplier, who passes them to you.

Child Seats in Reunion

Children under 10 or shorter than 135 cm need an approved seat or booster. They ride in the back. Add the seat at booking, because stock runs short.

Roundabouts and Alcohol Limit

Traffic already inside a roundabout has priority. At unmarked junctions, give way to the right. The alcohol limit is 0.05 percent (0.02 percent for drivers with a licence under 3 years old), and police run regular roadside checks. Handheld phones are banned.

Tolls and Fuel Stations

Reunion has no toll roads, including the Route des Tamarins. Fuel prices are regulated and nearly identical island wide. Stations are scarce in the cirques, so fill up in town first.

Maps, Signal and Parking

Google Maps and Waze work well on the coast, but signal drops in the cirques, so download offline maps first. Saint-Denis and Saint-Gilles-les-Bains have paid zones. Arrive early at the Pas de Bellecombe car park.

Insurance on Mountain Roads

Basic cover comes with the rental, with an excess you pay if the car is damaged. Some agreements exclude unpaved forest tracks, tyres and glass. Ask the supplier about the excess, and whether full cover reduces that excess to zero.

Car Rental in Reunion at Roland Garros Airport

Roland Garros Airport

Roland Garros Airport (RUN) sits in Sainte-Marie, about 9 km east of Saint-Denis. Follow the signs to the car rental desks after arrivals and collect your keys, then reach Saint-Denis in about 15 minutes.
Choose a city car such as the Renault Clio or Peugeot 208, a compact SUV such as the Dacia Duster, or an automatic for the steep climbs. Rates start from $16 a day.
Reserve online in a few minutes, cancel free of charge, and pay at the counter. Add a child seat or GPS when you book, ready at pickup.
Saint-Gilles-les-Bains takes about 1 hour from the airport, Salazie 1 hour 20 minutes and Saint-Pierre about 1.5 hours. Cilaos and Pas de Bellecombe take about 2.5 hours.
Book your Réunion car rental at Roland Garros Airport and be on the road to the volcano, the cirques and the coast within minutes of collecting the keys. Choose a car with the Free cancellation badge if you want free cancellation.

Best Time to Rent a Car in Reunion

January to March Brings the Lowest Rates

Rates are lowest from January to March, when showers are frequent, and cars are easy to find. This is also the peak cyclone risk, so book with free cancellation and check the forecast before every drive into the cirques.

July and August Fill Up Fast

July and August bring dry weather, school holidays and full roads. Cars in every class go quickly, so reserve 4 to 6 weeks in advance and expect higher daily rates than in the wet season.

October to December Costs the Most

Prices climb from October and stay high through the festive season, and supply runs short between November and January. Reserve at least 6 weeks ahead for December and early January, and choose a booking with free cancellation.