Car rental in SSR Airport (Plaisance), Mauritius
Pick up your rental car the moment you land at Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport, in the south-east of Mauritius. The agency meets you at the desk or the exit: inspection done, keys in hand, and you're free to reach the north in just over an hour on the M1 and M2 motorways.
Find a vehicle in SSR Airport (Plaisance)Car rental in SSR Airport (Plaisance), Mauritius starts from around Rs 1,200 (~€25) per day with licensed, insured local agencies. Book online, with pick-up at SSR airport or in SSR Airport (Plaisance).
Good to know
- 24/7 pick-up aligned with flight times.
- Direct motorway to Port Louis and the north.
- Perfect for a full-island road trip.
By vehicle type
Picking up and returning your car at SSR Airport
At Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Airport, handover usually happens in one of two ways: a representative of the rental company waits in the arrivals hall with a sign bearing your name, or meets you in the terminal car park. The exact meeting point, what happens if your flight is late and any surcharge for a very early or very late arrival should be confirmed with the rental company when you book. Always give your flight number: it lets them adjust the handover time.
For the return, leave a comfortable margin before check-in: refuelling according to the contract's fuel policy, the exit inspection and handing back the keys all take time. If you stay near the airport, in Mahébourg or Blue Bay, pick-up or return at your hotel may also be offered, again depending on the rental company.
Indicative drive times from SSR Airport
- Mahébourg / Blue Bay10 to 15 min
- Port Louisabout 45 min, longer at rush hour
- Grand Baieabout 1 h to 1 h 15
- Flic en Flacabout 45 min to 1 h
- Belle Mareabout 45 min to 1 h
- Le Morneabout 1 h to 1 h 15
Orders of magnitude outside traffic jams: allow more at rush hour around Port Louis and check your GPS on the day.
Driving and parking in the area
Leaving the airport, the M1 motorway climbs to the central plateau (Rose-Belle, Curepipe) and then drops down to Port Louis; beyond it, the M2 continues north. Driving is on the left and roundabouts are frequent: give way to vehicles already on the roundabout, coming from your right. If you normally drive on the right, take a few minutes in the car park to get used to the car before setting off.
After a long overnight flight, avoid planning a long drive straight after landing, especially if you arrive late in the day: the central plateau is often rainy or misty and secondary roads are poorly lit. If you are staying in the north, a daytime drive outside rush hour around Port Louis is far more relaxing.
What to see by car nearby
Mahébourg
Seafront, the National History Museum and a lively Monday market, a few minutes from the terminal.
Blue Bay Marine Park
A protected lagoon known for snorkelling and glass-bottom boat trips.
Île aux Aigrettes
A nature reserve visited on guided trips from the coast, off Pointe Jérôme.
Vallée de Ferney
Preserved forest and marked trails on the foothills of the south-east mountains.
Gris Gris and Souillac
Wave-battered cliffs on the south coast with no coral reef: spectacular, but not for swimming.
Which car to choose at SSR Airport?
The right vehicle mostly depends on where you're staying. For an hour's transfer to the north or west with suitcases, a compact with a decent boot is enough; a family with luggage and pushchairs will be more comfortable in a people carrier or an SUV. If you have never driven on the left, an automatic makes the first miles much easier: in a manual, you shift gears with your left hand.
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Frequently asked questions
Can you collect a rental car at SSR Airport at any time?+
Most rental companies match the handover to flight times, but very early morning or late evening arrivals should be confirmed when booking, possibly with a surcharge. Share your flight number so the company can track any delay.
How long does it take to reach the north or west from the airport?+
Allow about 1 h to 1 h 15 for Grand Baie and about 45 min to 1 h for Flic en Flac, outside traffic jams. At rush hour, getting through Port Louis can add significant time: check your GPS on the day.
Can you return the car at the airport on departure day?+
It's usually possible, but the return place and time are agreed in advance with the rental company. Leave a margin for refuelling, the exit inspection and handing back the keys before check-in.
Do you need an international driving permit to rent at the airport?+
A valid national licence is often accepted for a short stay, but conditions vary with the issuing country, the language of the licence and the rental company. Check with the company before you travel; our article on driving licences in Mauritius covers the most common cases.
Are the rental cars in SSR Airport (Plaisance) licensed and insured?+
On RentCar.mu, yes: every listed vehicle is tied to a PSV licence (yellow plates) and an insured, identified operator : no informal rentals.