Mahe or Praslin, where should you rent a car for a Seychelles island trip?

Car hire in Seychelles where deposits are almost gone

In this snapshot, 97% of the 131 cars listed in Seychelles need no deposit at all. That is far above the typical destination in this guide. There, roughly three in five cars go without one.

For a traveller, this means no large hold on a card. It also means less to worry about when you return the car.

The remaining cars mostly ask for a deposit paid in cash. The cash deposit share here is 3%, so it is a rare case. If a car needs a deposit, the amount and payment method are on its car card.

Cards matter less than usual too. 95% of cars need no credit card. That helps visitors who travel with a debit card only.

• No deposit: start with the no-deposit cars filter.
• Cash deposit: see how a cash deposit works before you pay.
• Card rules: the deposits guide explains holds and card types.

Rent a car at Seychelles airport on Mahe

Most visitors land at Seychelles International Airport (SEZ) on the east coast of Mahe. Mahe holds the largest choice of cars, with roughly two thirds of all listings in the snapshot. Victoria, the capital, is a short drive north along the East Coast Road.

Mahe terms are friendly for a first trip. Nearly every car needs no deposit, and none asks for a credit card. About half of the cars come with free cancellation, the best share in the country.

Free delivery is offered on nearly two thirds of Mahe cars. That often means a hand-over at arrivals or at a hotel in Beau Vallon. Check the car card for the exact delivery point and any time limits.

A small group of Mahe cars still asks for a cash deposit. To avoid that, filter for no deposit. Then read the payment methods line on each card before you book.

Praslin cars, from Praslin Island Airport to Baie Ste Anne

Praslin is the second of the 2 places tracked here. It is reached by a short domestic flight or the fast ferry from Victoria. Flights land at Praslin Island Airport (PRI) near Grand Anse. Ferries arrive at the Baie Ste Anne jetty on the east side.

Praslin is the no-deposit stronghold of the country. Every Praslin car in the snapshot goes without a deposit, so no cash deposit appears there. The fleet is smaller, at roughly a third of the national total.

The trade-off is flexibility. Only about one in six Praslin cars offers free cancellation. A credit card is asked for slightly more often than on Mahe, though most cars still skip it.

Free delivery covers just under half of Praslin cars. Many visitors arrange pick-up at the jetty or the airstrip. If your dates may move, read each cancellation deadline before you pay.

Suzuki and Hyundai models for the steep roads of Mahe and Praslin

The fleet is young. The median model year is 2024, and 92% of cars are marked as new. 100% of listed cars are automatic, which helps on steep hill starts.

The most listed models are Suzuki Brezza, Hyundai Grand i10, Suzuki Swift, Suzuki Fronx, Kia Picanto. Each suits a different kind of island day:

• The Suzuki Brezza is a compact SUV that suits the Sans Souci road over the Morne Seychellois range.
• The Hyundai Grand i10 is a city car that suits tight parking in Victoria and Beau Vallon.
• The Suzuki Swift is a small hatchback that suits the coastal road south to Anse Royale and Takamaka.
• The Suzuki Fronx is a compact crossover that suits the climb through the Vallee de Mai on Praslin.
• The Kia Picanto is a mini car that suits couples staying near Anse Volbert on Praslin.
• Praslin also lists the Suzuki Ertiga, a seven-seat MPV that suits families with luggage.

Small cars are the norm because roads are narrow and beach parking is limited. Larger groups should filter by seats early.

Cancellation, mileage and delivery terms across the islands

Free cancellation is the weak point. Only 38% of cars in Seychelles offer it, which matches the typical destination in this guide. Mahe does better than Praslin on this term.

If your flights may shift, use the free cancellation filter. Then read the deadline on the car card. Terms differ by company, so two similar cars may cancel very differently.

Mileage is rarely a concern. 99% of cars come with unlimited mileage. On islands this small, a limit would seldom bite, but it removes one more thing to check.

Delivery is common. 58% of cars offer free delivery, often to the airport, a jetty or a hotel. Confirm the address and hand-over time in your booking, since late flights can change plans.

Insurance terms also differ by company. Read the cover and any excess on the car card before you pay the advance.

Driving in Seychelles: left-hand traffic and mountain passes

Seychelles drives on the left, and cars are right-hand drive. Visitors used to driving on the right should take the first hour slowly.

On Mahe, the East Coast Road links the airport (SEZ) with Victoria and the south. Cross-island passes such as Sans Souci and La Misere climb steeply with tight bends. The west coast road runs past Port Glaud and Anse Boileau towards Baie Lazare.

Roads are narrow and often lack a hard shoulder. Deep drains line many edges, so keep your wheels on the tarmac. Buses share the same roads and stop often.

On Praslin, a coastal road circles much of the island. The road through the Vallee de Mai joins Grand Anse with Baie Ste Anne. Another road runs north towards Anse Volbert and Anse Lazio.

Rain showers can be heavy and sudden. Drive slower on wet hills and take care on single-lane sections.

How booking a car in Seychelles through Localrent works

Localrent is an online booking service that lists cars of local, independent rental companies. It is an intermediary and does not own cars. You choose a specific car from a named local company.

The car card shows model, year, photos, deposit, payment methods, mileage, insurance and cancellation terms. The car card checklist covers what to read first.

To confirm, you pay an advance online by bank card. Cash is not accepted for the advance. The rest is paid to the rental company at pick-up, by the methods shown for that car.

The rental contract is signed with the local company. Your conditions are in your voucher. Minimum driver age and licence rules are set by each company and shown on the card.

For the full process, see how it works. If you have doubts, read is it legit. Figures here come from a search snapshot described in the methodology. Seychelles ranks 14 with a score of 7.1 among all destinations.

Our verdict

Seychelles is one of the easiest places to rent from locals without a deposit, with 97% of cars needing none. The fleet is new and fully automatic, which suits steep island roads. Book early and check cancellation terms, as only 38% of cars cancel free.