Last update: 22 Oct 2026
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Réunion Summary
These place ratings give you a quick overview of how well a destination matches different types of trips.
‘Best for’ scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.
‘Your personal’ scores:
This reflects how well a place matches your personal preferences. You can adjust the importances of travel topics or other personal requirements categories in your account settings.
‘Suited for’ badges:
These give you a quick overview of how well a destination suits specific types of travellers, to help you find the places that match your lifestyle, preferences or travel situation.
Suited for
Réunion – Quick facts
| Power Grid: |
230 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type C , Type E
Type C:
  Read about power adapters |
|---|---|
| Currency: |
Euro (EUR) £1 ≈ €1.19 |
| Cashless info: |
Rating 4/5
Cashless payments are widely accepted in Réunion, particularly in urban areas.
Save with a travel credit card |
| eSIM providers: |
Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison |
| Tipping: | Tipping is not mandatory in Réunion, but it is appreciated. 5-10% is common in restaurants, and small tips are welcome for taxi drivers and hotel staff. |
|---|---|
| Public drinking: | Public drinking is allowed in designated areas but is generally prohibited in most public spaces. |
| Public smoking: | Smoking is prohibited in indoor public spaces but allowed in designated outdoor areas. |
| Emergency contact: | Emergency Number: 112 (Police, Fire, Ambulance) |
|---|---|
| Taxi apps: | Uber |
| Other: | Réunion is known for its volcanic landscapes, lush rainforests, and diverse culture. It offers a mix of French and Creole influences. |
Best times to travel
The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.
Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.
Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.
Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.
Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.
for Réunion, Réunion
Cyclone season November to April, peaking January to March, roads and trails may close after heavy rain
Hiking season May to October, humpback whale season July to October
Mountain interior (Cilaos, Salazie, volcano) is cooler and cloudier than the sunnier west coast with its beaches
Don't miss
- 🌋 Hike the active Piton de la Fournaise volcano crater
- 🏖️ Swim in turquoise waters at L’Ermitage Beach lagoon
- 🚁 Explore the Cirque de Mafate by air or on foot
- 💦 Chase waterfalls at Cascade de Langevin
- 🏘️ Stroll through Saint-Denis’ Creole quarter and markets
- 🍛 Taste authentic Creole cuisine in a mountain village
You've been here?
Log in to manage your own bucket list! Why travel to Réunion?
Réunion offers an incredible mix of experiences – from hiking around the Piton de la Fournaise volcano to diving in coral reefs and relaxing on beautiful beaches. The island’s diverse culture blends French, African, Indian and Chinese influences, adding depth to its culinary and cultural experiences. It's perfect for those who love outdoor activities and want to explore a lesser-known gem.
🏯Places worth seeing
🎡Places for activities
🏞️Natural landmarks
🛍️Shopping
-
1
Run Market Savanna
🎈Events
-
Sakifo Music Festival
-
Grand Raid (La Diagonale des Fous)
-
Leu Tempo Festival
-
Festival Liberté Métisse
-
Indian Ocean Film Festival
-
Cultural Celebrations of Tamil New Year
-
Whale Festival (Fête des Baleines)
-
Réunion Day Celebrations
-
Festival of Lights (Diwali)
-
Traditional Creole Festivals
Knowledge before you go
- Pack layers – weather flips fast between coast, cirques and volcano.
- Use euros and expect French infrastructure; it’s an overseas department of France within the EU.
- Rent a car if possible; mountain roads are slow, winding and traffic peaks commute hours.
- Start Piton de la Fournaise hikes at dawn; no water or shade and trails close during eruptions.
How to travel to Réunion
Réunion is served by Roland Garros Airport (RUN) in Saint‑Denis. Direct flights are available from France, South Africa and nearby islands. Ferries connect to Mauritius, but air travel is the most common route.
Access summary
- Fly into RUN (Roland Garros) from Paris, Mauritius, Madagascar, regional hubs.
- From nearby islands (Mauritius, Madagascar, Mayotte, Comoros): short regional flights to RUN.
- Air Austral hub at RUN; independent airline, partnerships with various carriers.
Check your route from anywhere
Where to stay in Réunion
Réunion offers a range of accommodations, from luxury beach resorts to affordable guesthouses and mountain lodges. Booking ahead is advised, especially during festival seasons and peak travel times.
Hotel recommendations
*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.
How to get around Réunion
The best way to get around Réunion is by car, as public transport is limited outside main towns. There are also buses (Car Jaune network) connecting major points. Taxis are available but can be pricey.
Budget snapshot
Costs compared to home
We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.
To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.
Daily expenses in Réunion are around 4% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend around the same on meals and getting around.
Exchange rate trend
The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.
Your exchange rate (GBP to EUR) is 3% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.
Travel costs
To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.
Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.
Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.
To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.
Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.
Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.
Daily cost summary
Travel style categories explained:
Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.
Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.
Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.
Travel style categories explained:
Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.
Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.
Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.
| Backpacker | Mid-range | Luxury | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation | |||
| 🏨 Accommodation per night, per person | |||
| 🍝 Food per day | |||
| 🚕 Transportation per day |
Food & Drink
| 🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person | |
|---|---|
| 🍛 Lunch Set, per person | |
| 🍟 Fast food combo | |
| 🍝 Preparing your own food, per day | |
| ☕ Cappuccino | |
| 🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l |
Transportation
| 🚌 Public transport ticket | |
|---|---|
| 🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi | |
| ⛽ Petrol, 1 l |
Other
| 🎞️ Cinema ticket | |
|---|---|
| 👩⚕️ Doctor's consult | |
| 🤧 Cold medication | |
| 💇 Basic haircut |
Safety information overview
General safety
Réunion is generally safe, but natural risks include volcanic activity, strong currents on some beaches and occasional shark warnings. Stick to designated safe swimming areas and follow local advice.
Health & Medical
Healthcare is of good quality, with hospitals and clinics available. Be cautious of mosquito-borne diseases like dengue. Tap water is generally safe to drink, but bottled water is widely available.
Accessibility
Most tourist areas and larger hotels are accessible. However, many natural sites involve steep and uneven terrain, which might be challenging for those with mobility issues.
Tap water
Tap water is safe to drink in most areas, but during heavy rains, it may become slightly cloudy. Bottled water is readily available and staying hydrated is important in the tropical heat.
Packing recommendations for Réunion
Log in to add this place to a travel list and get a summary of all recommended items for your whole trip.
📷
Camera
⛰️
Trekking poles
🌞
Sun cream
👕
Light, breathable clothing
🧥
Waterproof jacket
🪰
Insect repellent
🩱
Swimwear
🤿
Snorkelling gear
🔋
Power bank
🩹
Basic first aid kit
📃
Travel insurance
👛
Cash in multiple currencies
🧥
Fleece mid-layer
📱
Travel eSIM
🔌
Universal travel adaptor
🩺
Prescription medicines
💳
Credit card with no foreign transaction fees
🛂
Passport
Related articles & guides for Réunion
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