Madagascar Transport

Getting there
Direct flights to Moscow Antananarivo operates fairly regularly. Easiest way - a flight to Paris flight of any airline, hereinafter - the flights of an Air France or Air Madagascar to Antananarivo (flight time 13-14 hours). There are regular air routes between Madagascar and the Comoros, Kenya, Mauritius, Reunion, Seychelles and Tanzania.

Airports
Iwata International Airport Antananarivo (TNR) is located 17 km. from the city. In the airport are the restaurant and exchange offices. Communication with the city by buses companies "Air Madagascar" (followed by buses to the office of airline and hotel tsetre Hilton) and "Air Route Service". Some hotels are sent for visiting their cars directly to the airport.

International flights also serve airports in Arivunimamu (international standby airport, 45 km. From the capital), Mahajanga (serves flights from East Africa and the Comoro Islands), Nosy Be (from the Seychelles and the number of flights from Europe) and Toamasina (in Mauritius and Reunion). Departure tax is not charged.

In the period from July to August, and on Christmas Eve, airlines are overloaded, but because prices increase sharply. During these periods, should pre-arrange tickets to Madagascar and back, as well as for domestic flights.

Taxis
The main form of transport in cities - a taxi. There are two types of machines: licensed taxis bearing the emblem of ADEMA (Aeroports de Madagascar) and counters (the cost of travel to the capital usually does not exceed 45000FMG one-way plus 260FMG for one piece of baggage shall be issued a receipt), as well as numerous informal taxi in which the counter is usually No, but the prices are fixed depending on the distance and the density of traffic. With few exceptions, all taxi drivers uniform pricing (for private owners is somewhat cheaper). The fare should be agreed in advance, before landing in the car (in private cars can bargain).

The specific form of local transport - fast and convenient "taxi-Be", and cheaper, but slow "taxi-beam" or "beads-tata" (go as far as filling the entire interior). This is something between a route and ordinary taxis, and service these vans and long routes. "Taxi-baa" most moving caravan of several vehicles, communicating and helping each other in case of necessity in every city there is a taxi stand and taxi-be-beam, there is posted schedule.

You can hire a whole car for one passenger, and can pool their savings to travel great company. The drivers are usually the machine very carefully, but quickly, so this is the most convenient way to travel around the country. The fare should be agreed in advance, before landing in the car, tipping is not required.

You can take a taxi to a specific route at a cost of about FMG 100 thousand per day, while the driver remains in the customer's disposal for the entire route, even if the trip takes several days (additional charge only the cost of gasoline).

Also, in all the cities are rickshaws of all kinds.

Condition of roads in the country is ambiguous. Most major routes are in excellent condition. At the same time supporting areas are often in terrible condition. At the same time there is an intensive road construction and road conditions vary considerably, so it is recommended before traveling to make inquiries or to buy a road map. However, the map usually celebrate not only the roads and the type of coverage, but the path that confuses the definition of the route. There are frequent landslides and washouts of the roadway.

Malagasy drivers are fairly careful and unhurried. Cars in private hands here a little, so clearly that owners cherish them, trying once again not to create dangerous incidents on the road. If you have any traffic problems the front car includes warning lights, and all the rest, down to the last in the column, repeat this message. Overtaking on the highway are rare, but in the rhythm of movement even more slowly. Often on the road leave pets, children and local residents, transport carts for all sorts of eatables or building materials. In the dark road covered only the headlights of cars passing through it, so this local drivers, without a twinge of conscience include all available on board lighting equipment.

Car Rental
Car Rental distributed fairly limited, rental agencies are only in major tourist centers and the airport. To rent a car is recommended in advance, even before the departure to the country, the type of book a car with a timetable. For registration of the lease is sufficient availability of credit cards (sometimes charged a deposit) and the national driver's license. Rental price is almost the same as in Europe.

Trains
The only regular passenger rail line serves trains on the route between Antananarivo and Ambatundrazaka, Moramanga, Antsirabe and to Lake Alautra. Schedule quite uncomfortable - departure of trains from the capital takes place every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, return flights - on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Cars (two classes - first and second) are in excellent condition and equipped with air conditioning (on some flights offered a light breakfast and buffet). Typically, a train timetable information clearly observed, but because of local circumstances occur and are large enough deviations from the schedule. In the period from late December until mid-March message between Antananarivo and Toamasina often interrupted because of security reasons (such as landslides and washouts of the road).

Children under 4 years travel free of charge, at the age of 4-6 years - 50% refund. Train Station is located at the end of Independence Avenue.

Water transport
Many ship owners to carry out transportation of cargo ships and traditional sailing (Boutroux ") at Nosy Be, Mayntiranu and in other ports. But it is not scheduled flights, so in this case it is almost impossible to plan a schedule for the trip. Flights quite lengthy, but highly conditioned comfort. The same small Coastal runs serviced and the whole coastline of the country.