Taxi fares in Mauritius

Taxi prices in Mauritius can be confusing if you’re used to metered cabs or ride‑hailing apps. In 2025, taxis in Mauritius still do not use meters, which means understanding how prices work – and how to protect yourself from being overcharged – is essential.

This guide is based on real local experience and up‑to‑date traveller feedback. It explains how much taxis actually cost, how fares are set, and why booking with a reputable taxi company is usually safer and better value than dealing with random individual drivers.

Do Taxis in Mauritius Use Meters in 2025?

No – taxi meters are not used in Mauritius in 2025.

You will not see a running meter inside Mauritian taxis. Instead, fares are agreed in advance between:

• You (the passenger), and
• The driver or the taxi company

This means:

• There is no automatic calculation based on distance or time.
• The price you pay depends entirely on what you agree beforehand.
• Two people can easily pay different prices for the exact same journey.

Because of this, being informed about typical prices and confirming your fare before travel is very important.

How Taxi Prices Are Set (Without Meters)

Since there are no meters, these are the main factors that influence taxi prices in Mauritius:

1. Route & distance
Longer trips and cross‑island transfers (e.g. airport ↔ Grand Baie / Belle Mare / Le Morne) cost more than local, short trips.

2. Time of day
Very early morning or late‑night journeys may sometimes attract a small premium.

3. Provider type

• Independent roadside driver
• Hotel or resort taxi
• A professional taxi company booked in advance

4. Your negotiation
Because nothing is shown on a meter, the final price is whatever you and the driver agree to before the ride.

Always Negotiate and Confirm the Price Before You Travel

In Mauritius, it is essential to:

Agree the full fare with the driver or taxi company before you get into the car.

This protects you from misunderstandings or disputes at the end of the journey, especially since there’s no meter.

What to do in practice:

Ask:

• “How much is it from [your location] to [destination], total price for the car?”

Confirm:

• That the fare is per vehicle, not per person (unless clearly priced per head)
• Whether the price includes all passengers, luggage, and any waiting time
• When using a taxi company, get the fare in writing via WhatsApp, SMS, email, or booking confirmation.

A good taxi company will give you a clear fixed price upfront, so there is no negotiation stress, especially after a long flight.

Individual Taxi Drivers vs Taxi Companies in Mauritius

You’ll see many individual taxi drivers waiting outside hotels, at the airport, or near attractions. While some are friendly and honest, there are clear reasons why a structured taxi company is usually more advantageous for visitors.

You may also want to read: Why book with a taxi company rather than an individual taxi?

Limitations of Individual Taxi Drivers

Limited equipment & extras
Independent drivers often:

• Don’t provide baby/child car seats
• Rarely offer refreshments (like bottled water)
• Don’t send booking confirmations, reminders or receipts

Less accountability
When you deal with a random roadside driver:

• • You’re negotiating with a stranger, with no company behind them
  • If something goes wrong (no‑show, late arrival, dispute), you have no formal support
  • If you’re overcharged, there is no management or reputation system to appeal to

Cash-only and limited payment options

• • Many individual drivers prefer or only accept cash
  • Card or online payment is usually not possible
  • Getting a proper invoice can be difficult

Higher risk of being ripped off
Because:

• You must negotiate directly, usually without knowing the normal local rate
• Some drivers quote tourist prices, which can be significantly higher
• There’s no meter, and you may feel pressured once your luggage is already in the car

Advantages of Booking with a Taxi Company

A professional taxi company is generally a better option for most travellers, especially for airport transfers and longer routes.

A good company typically provides:

Transparent, pre‑agreed pricing

• Fixed prices for common routes (e.g. airport → Grand Baie, Flic en Flac, Belle Mare etc.)
• No surprise add‑ons at the end of your trip
• Often cheaper than hotel taxis, and more predictable than individual drivers

Better equipment & comfort

• Baby/child seats available on request
• Clean, air‑conditioned vehicles
• Sometimes complimentary refreshments (e.g. bottled water)

Trained and professional drivers

• Drivers are selected and trained for safety and customer service
• Familiar with main hotels, AirBnBs, private villas, and tourist points
• Used to handling flight delays, heavy luggage, and family travel

Online booking and payment

• Ability to book your taxi online in advance
• Online payment options (cards, sometimes other methods)
• Instant confirmation by email or SMS

Organisation & automatic reminders

• Reminder messages before your pick-up time
• Clear instructions on where to meet your driver
• Better punctuality because drivers are on routine and scheduled

Higher safety and accountability

• If anything goes wrong, the company can act immediately (send a replacement vehicle, follow up, assist)
• The company cares about its reputation and online reviews, so there is:
  • • Less incentive to overcharge
    • More focus on reliability, cleanliness and service

In short, a taxi company is usually more secure, more comfortable, and often better value than relying on ad‑hoc individual drivers.

Why Hotel Taxis Often Cost More

Most hotels and resorts in Mauritius will happily arrange a taxi for you – but this convenience usually comes with a higher price tag.

• Hotel taxis tend to have premium pricing, sometimes significantly above market averages.
• You are mostly paying for immediate convenience, not necessarily for better vehicles or service.
• In many cases, you can get the same route at a lower cost by booking directly with a taxi company in advance.

If you care about budget, but still want safety, reliability and comfort, comparing hotel taxi rates with a reputable company’s prices is a smart move.

The Risk of Being Overcharged When Dealing With Strangers

Because there are no meters, travellers who:

• Don’t know the average rates, and
• Don’t confirm the price beforehand

are the ones most likely to:

• Pay well above the usual local rate
• End up in uncomfortable price discussions at the end of the trip
• Find out later that someone else paid much less for the same journey

When negotiating with a stranger driver:

• You can’t easily judge if the quote is fair or inflated.
• There’s no formal complaint process if you feel cheated.
• Language differences can add to misunderstanding.

By contrast, when you book with a reputable taxi company:

• Prices are usually clearly displayed or confirmed in writing.
• You know in advance what you’ll pay.
• There is company accountability if something doesn’t go as expected.

Our Taxi Price Calculator for Airport Transfers

To make pricing more transparent and hassle‑free, we provide a Taxi Price Calculator specifically for airport transfers in Mauritius.

With our airport transfer price calculator, you can:

• Select your arrival or departure airport
• Choose your destination (hotel, villa, or area)
• Instantly see a fair, all‑inclusive price
• Compare easily with what your hotel or a roadside driver might quote
• Book your transfer with online payment and confirmation

This means:

• No last‑minute negotiation at the airport when you’re tired
• No surprise price changes at the end of the ride
• A driver waiting for you, with your name board and your route pre‑planned

Using the calculator before you travel is one of the simplest ways to lock in a fair rate and avoid being overcharged.

Practical Tips for Using Taxis in Mauritius (2025)

To keep your taxi experience smooth, safe, and fairly priced:

Assume there is no meter – because there isn’t
Always act as if you must agree the fare before you sit down.

Ask for the total price, per car
Confirm:

• Price per vehicle, not per person
• Inclusion of all passengers and luggage
• Any extra fees (e.g. waiting time), if relevant

Prefer a taxi company, especially for longer trips and airport transfers

• Better value than hotel taxis in most cases
• More protection if plans change or issues arise
• Extras like baby car seats, refreshments, trained drivers, reminders and online payment

Be cautious with random drivers at the roadside

• If the quote seems too high, trust your instinct
• Don’t feel obliged – you can politely decline and compare with another driver or a company

Use our airport transfer taxi price calculator

• Get an instant price benchmark
• Secure a fixed, pre‑confirmed rate
• Travel from the airport to your hotel or villa with peace of mind

Final Thoughts: Getting the Best Taxi Value in Mauritius

Mauritius is a fantastic place to explore, and taxis are a comfortable way to move around the island – as long as you understand the non‑metered, negotiation‑based system.

In 2025:

• Taxi meters are not used in Mauritius.
• You must negotiate and confirm the price in advance with the driver or taxi company.
• Individual drivers can be convenient but carry higher risk of overpaying and offer fewer services.
• Taxi companies generally provide:
  • Transparent, fixed prices
  • Online booking & payment
  • Baby car seats, refreshments and trained drivers
  • Automatic reminders and real customer support
  • Often better value than hotel taxis

By using average price benchmarks like those above and our airport taxi price calculator, you can enjoy Mauritius knowing you’re paying a fair rate and travelling safely.