Réunion: how to get there and transport
How to get to Réunion
Air travel
Most travelers will most likely arrive at La Réunion via Roland Garros International Airport, which is located near Saint-Denis. The airlines that fly to Reunion include, of course, Air France, Air Austral, Corsair and Air Mauritius. These airlines offer direct flights via Paris, Bangkok, Mauritius and Sydney, among others. Flights from France are considered and priced as domestic flights. They are therefore much cheaper than flights from other departure airports.
By
boat You can go back and forth between Réunion and Mauritius by boat.
Travel in the country
Air travel
The size of Reunion Island does not require domestic flights. But there are some helicopter and airline companies that offer tourist flights. These usually take place very early in the morning. Helicopter flights are possible, for example, to La Nouvelle in Mafate.
Bus transport
The bus connections between the cities of La Réunions are provided by Car Jaune, whose buses are immediately recognizable by their yellow color. There are a total of 13 long-distance lines, which are supplemented by various inner-city lines. Most of these inner-city lines run between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Car traffic
There is only one main road on Réunion: This runs in four lanes over 74 kilometers around the island. Due to the weather conditions, these roads can sometimes shrink to two lanes. Another important route is the Saint-Pierre to Saint-Benoit road; it runs through the inner part of the island. Due to the high concentration of cars, there are regular traffic jams on La Réunion, so you should avoid driving in rush hour. In addition, due to the risk of volcanoes, the road on the eastern side is closed more often.
When driving, you should never underestimate the driving times. Even if the island doesn’t seem very large, the island’s roads are often crowded or closed. The roads in the interior of the islands are mountain roads, some of which have sharp curves and holes.
Traffic rules
Traffic rules
In Reunion there is right-hand traffic. In order to avoid trouble with the police or even the courts, one should strictly adhere to the traffic regulations in force in the country. The maximum speeds shown can of course be reduced or increased by traffic signs. Regardless of the information provided here, it is advisable to obtain detailed information from the ADAC, the AvD or the traffic clubs in the country concerned.
Top speeds
- Urban: in built-up areas there is a speed limit of 50 km/h
- Country roads: there is a speed limit of 90 km/h on country roads
Special regulations
Dipped beam is mandatory in the rain Priority roads end at the place-name signs. Yellow stripes on the edge of the road mean no parking. The roundabout has the right of way marked accordingly.
Blood
alcohol limit In Réunion there is a blood alcohol limit of 0.5 parts per thousand for drivers of motor vehicles. The same rule applies to motorcycle riders.
International license plate
According to Abbreviationfinder, the international license plate of Réunion is that of France:
| F |
Réunion: diplomatic missions
Visit Countryaah for a full list of Reunion embassies and consulates in each country around the world.
German representations in Réunion
The Federal Republic of Germany does not have its own embassy in Tahiti, but is only represented by a consulate. The embassy in Paris, France is responsible.
Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Paris
13/15, avenue Franklin D. Roosevelt
75008 Paris:
Ambassade de la République fédérale d’Allemagne
BP 30 221
75364 Paris CEDEX 08
France
Tel: 0033 – 1 – 5383 4500
Fax: 0033 – 1 – 4359 7418
Email: [email protected]
www.paris.diplo.de
Consulate of the Federal Republic of Germany
9C, rue de Lorraine
97400 Saint Denis
Tel: 00262 – (0) 2 – 62 21 62 06
Fax: 00262 – (0) 2 – 62 21 74 55
Representations of France (Réunion) in Germany
Réunion does not have its own diplomatic mission abroad, these are handled by France.
Embassy of the French Republic in Berlin
Pariser Platz 5
10117 Berlin
Tel: 0049 – (0) 30 – 5 90 03 90 00
Fax: 0049 – (0) 30 – 5 90 03 91 10
presse @ embassy- frankreich.de
www.botschaft-frankreich.de
Austrian representations in Réunion
Austria does not have its own embassy in Réunion. The embassy in Paris, France is responsible.
Austrian Embassy in Paris
6, Rue Fabert
75007 Paris
Tel: 0033 – (0) 1 – 4063 3063
Fax: 0033 – (0) 1 – 4555 6365
Email: [email protected]
www.amb-autriche.fr
www.aussenministerium.at/paris
Representations of France (Réunion) in Austria
Réunion does not have its own diplomatic mission abroad, these are handled by France.
Embassy of the French Republic in Vienna
Technikerstraße 2
1040 Vienna
Tel: 0043 – (0) 1 – 502 750
Fax: 0043 – (0) 1 – 502 177
Email: [email protected]
www.ambafrance-at.org
Swiss representations in Réunion
Switzerland does not have its own embassy in Réunion, but is only represented by a consulate. The embassy in Paris, France is responsible.
Embassy, Ambassade de Suisse in Paris 142, rue de Grenelle -75007 Paris Tel: 0033 – (0) 1 – 4955 6700 Fax: 0033 – (0) 1 – 4955 6767 Email: [email protected]
Consulate of Switzerland
107 Chemin de Crève Coeur
97460 Saint Paul
Tel: +262 – (0) 2 – 62 45 55 74
Fax: +262 – (0) 2 – 62 45 55 74
Representations of France (Réunion) in Switzerland
Réunion does not have its own diplomatic mission abroad, these are handled by France.
Embassy of the French Republic in Bern
Schosshaldenstrasse 46
3006 Bern
Tel: 0041 – (0) 31 – 359 2111
Fax: 0041 – (0) 31 – 359 2191
Email: [email protected]
www.ambafrance-ch.org
Tourist office
Tourist Office of Réunion in Germany
Zeppelinallee 37
60325 Frankfurt/Main
Tel: 0049 – (0) 69 – 97 59 04 94
Fax: 0049 – (0) 69 – 97 59 04 95
Email: [email protected]
Email: [email protected]
Tourism Department of the Embassy of the French Republic
Lugeck 1-2/1/7
1010 Vienna
Tel: 0043 – 0900 – 25 0015 (€ 0.68/minute)
Fax: 0043 – (0) 1 – 503 2872
E-Mail: info.at @ franceguide.com
www.franceguide.com
Réunion: entry and exit regulations
Formalities, visas
There is no visa requirement for travelers from EU member states. A valid identity card is sufficient. People who need a visa can get it at the following address.
Embassy
Pariser Platz 5
10117 Berlin
Tel: +49 – (0) 30 – 590 03 90 00
Fax: +49 – (0) 30 – 590 03 90 67
Email: [email protected]
Email: [email protected]
Issuing visas in Austria and Switzerland
See under Representations of Réunion in Austria and Representations of Réunion in Switzerland.
Import and export of foreign currency
- Local currencyThere is no restriction on the import and export of local currency.
- Foreign currenciesThe import and export of foreign currencies is permitted; cash worth over € 7,600 must be declared.
Import and export of goods
The import and export of weapons, ammunition or explosives is strictly prohibited. In addition, the import and export of plants and animals protected under the Washington Species Protection Act is prohibited. Violation can result in severe penalties.
The importation of dogs and cats is only allowed if the animals are clearly identifiable, either by a tattoo or a microchip. Import from EU countries: Three animals are allowed which must be over four months old and for which a valid rabies vaccination must be proven at least one month prior to entry by means of a certificate. A health certificate is also required, which is not older than five days and has been issued by an official veterinarian in the country of origin.
Travel with animals
The EU Pet Ordinance of October 1, 2004 applies to the entry into Réunion with pets. In order to enter Réunion, the owners of the animals of this regulation require an EU pet passport. This can be issued by any resident veterinarian. In addition, the pets must be clearly identifiable. This can be guaranteed either by an implanted microchip or by a tattoo. From 2011, however, the animal must be chipped.
All pets must be vaccinated against rabies when they enter Réunion. In order to be vaccinated against rabies, the animals must be at least three months old. The rabies vaccination must be at least 21 days prior to entry and must not be older than twelve months. However, it is also possible to enter Réunion with animals that are younger than three months old and have therefore not been vaccinated against rabies. For this, an EU pet passport must be carried for the animal, it must have a chip or a tattoo and it must be ensured that the animal has been kept in the same place since its birth where it must not have come into contact with wild animals.
In Réunion, no more than five animals per keeper are allowed to enter. Certain breeds of dogs are completely excluded from entry. These include pittbulls, boerbulls and tosas.
Réunion: travel medicine, vaccinations and warnings
Infectious Diseases
The following infectious diseases can be expected on Réunion:
- Malaria: There is no risk of malaria on Réunion.
- Chikungunya – a serious viral infection which is not fatal for a healthy adult human and which is transmitted by the mosquito “Aedes albopictus” (tiger mosquito). The name of the disease comes from the Swahili (Kiswahili) language and roughly means: “who walks crookedly”.
- Cholera – but there is only a risk of infection for travelers who come into contact with polluted water or contaminated food.
- dengue fever
- Intestinal infections from contaminated food or water, including amoeba, lamblia, salmonella, shigella and worm infestation, as well as all kinds of viruses and bacteria
- Hepatitis A and B
- Lambliasis
- Polio, polio
- tetanus
- Typhoid – however, there is only a risk of infection for travelers who come into contact with polluted water or contaminated food.
Vaccination recommendations
- Cholera – but only among travelers who can come into contact with polluted water or contaminated food.
- Diphtheria – a vaccination against diphtheria should always exist, also in the home country.
- Hepatitis A and B
- Polio, polio – vaccination against polio should always exist, also in the home country.
- Tetanus – a vaccination against tetanus should always exist, also in the home country.
- Typhoid – but only for travelers who can come into contact with polluted water or contaminated food.
Compulsory vaccination
For all persons older than one year and arriving from a yellow fever infection area designated by the WHO, there is a compulsory vaccination against a yellow fever disease.
Yellow fever vaccination for children
In most countries where a yellow fever vaccination is compulsory, this also applies to children over one year of age, in some countries even from six months. To do this, it should be noted:
A vaccination against yellow fever had a number of side effects, such as encephalitis. Around two-thirds of those affected were children under six months. Therefore, under no circumstances should children under this age be vaccinated. But children under one year of age should also not be vaccinated if possible. If in doubt, yellow fever infection areas must then be avoided. Any vaccination against yellow fever may only be carried out in specially authorized yellow fever vaccination centers!
Who pays for vaccinations in Germany?
Most people in Germany are vaccinated against a number of infectious diseases at an early age. However, the vaccination protection only lasts up to 10 years, in some cases even shorter. Therefore, before traveling abroad, you should carefully consider against which infectious diseases a vaccination is necessary or useful in the country concerned and whether the vaccination protection, if applicable, was not too long ago.
Most statutory health insurances have been reimbursing the costs for the following vaccinations since June 2007. There is even no 10 € practice fee – but the insured usually have to pay the statutory co-payment, which is 10% of the vaccine price – that is at least 5 € and a maximum of 10 €. Under these conditions, the following vaccinations are free of charge. Some health insurance companies also reimburse the cost of malaria prophylaxis.
As a rule, private health insurance companies (inquire beforehand) also cover the costs mentioned.
- cholera
- diphtheria
- Early summer meningoencephalitis (TBE)
- Yellow fever
- Hepatitis A and B
- Meningococcal meningitis
- Pneumococci
- Polyo (polio)
- Tetanus (tetanus)
- rabies
- typhus
Warning notices and hazards
According to the Federal Foreign Office, the WHO and other agencies, there are no dangers beyond the usual limits on La Réunion.
Foreign Office of the Federal Republic of Germany
Citizens Service
Tel: 0049 – (0) 30 – 5000 – 2000
Fax: 0049 – (0) 30 – 5000 – 51000
www.auswaertiges-amt.de
Réunion: currency, shopping and exchange rate
The national currency of Réunion is the
euro (EUR) = 100 cents.
The following banknotes are valid and in circulation in the country:
- 5
- 10
- 20th
- 50
- 100
- 200
- 500 euro
Bank opening times
- Monday – Friday: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- Saturday and Sunday: closed
Shop
Shops in Reunion are usually open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Shops are usually closed on Saturday and Sunday.
Cheap or country-specific goods, souvenirs,
lace and embroidery,
basketry,
rum,
bourbon-vanilla.
