Seychelles on a Budget - What Seychelles Luxury Resorts Don’t Want You to Know
Seychelles on a budget sounds too good to be true, right?
If you manage to score cheap flights to Seychelles, you're in luck! Travelling around Seychelles on a budget is possible, similar to travelling in Europe.
Start by understanding the country and where you want to go: Seychelles has 115 islands, but the main tourist islands are Mahé, Praslin and La Digue. These islands are close to each other and Cat Cocos is the only ferry company offering rides at about $60 one way from Mahé to Praslin.
On a budget, you can avoid expensive private island trips and find both luxury and budget accommodations on all the main islands. Budget accommodation prices range from $70-100 per night for a double room with some as low as $40. You could even walk into the luxury hotels like Four Seasons without even staying there to get to the beach behind it! In Seychelles, beaches are public property, so you can enjoy the same pristine beaches as those staying at the hotel for thousands of dollars. These beautiful beaches are not exclusive to luxury resort guests!
If you want to get around the islands affordably, the best option is the extensive bus network. Though not all places sell tourist passes and some only have options for locals, so be mindful of that in 2024. For $3 a day, you can get unlimited rides all over the bigger islands. Taxis are crazy expensive (one ride across the island could even be as expensive as $60-70) but renting a car is a good alternative if you’d like more freedom. We used Discover Cars to compare offers from various rental companies and find the most affordable option. Daily car rental cost on average was as much as one taxi ride but be aware that Seychelles has left-hand traffic like in the UK.
Food in Seychelles is pricey as it is an island nation with not too much farmland but you can find affordable meals if you know where to look. Instead of spending $50 at a fancy Western restaurant for pizza, opt for local creole takeout for about $10. These meals were not only tasty but also affordable alternatives to restaurants! If deciding to stay at a luxury resort, be mindful of extra charges at on-site restaurants and consider dining off-property for a more authentic experience.
The most iconic tour in Seychelles is the St Pierre and Curieuse Island trip which usually costs $100, but we managed to bargain the price down to $75. Luxury resorts offer the same tour from even the same companies, but prices can reach $200-400. Best to take this tour from Praslin island. On this tour, you can see Aldabra Giant Tortoises roaming freely on Curieuse Island, an unforgettable experience for every traveller. If you're keen to dive into the ocean, snorkelling at St Pierre Island is fantastic—we even spotted turtles! The tour also includes a beach barbecue with local food, perfect after a day of exploring tropical islands and swimming under the hot sun.
If you’d like to get more information on other tours, know how to score good prices and which islands have the best beaches, check out the Seychelles on a budget travel guide here.
Watch all the Seychelles videos on Youtube here.
