Madagaskar

Översikt

Capital: Antananarivo (pop. 3.872 million)
Population: 32,740,678 (2025 est.)
Religions: Christian, indigenous, Muslim
Languages: French, Malagasy, English
Time Zone: UTC+3
Driving side: Right
Calling code: +261
Electrical plug(s): Type C, Type D, Type E, Type J and Type K

Pengar

The local currency in Madagascar is Malagasy ariary (MGA). As of 6 October 2026 100 MGA is equal to 0.02 USD. In addition to the local currency, EUR may be accepted for payment in some places.

Currency exchange can be done at airports, banks, exchange offices and hotels.

Travellers should be prepared to use cash to make payments. The economy generally operates on a cash-only basis. Credit cards are accepted in upscale and/or tourist areas only. ATMs are only available in urban and/or tourist areas.

Travellers should note that the Ariary is a non-convertible currency and therefore cannot be exchanged back into tradable currency. Banking hours are Mon-Fri 0800-1100 and 1400-1600.

Tipping is expected for tour guides and drivers. Tip the guide the equivalent of 15,000-20,000 AR ($7-10 USD) per day and the driver 5,000-10,000 AR (about $5 USD) per day. Bellboys and housekeepers should receive about 2000 AR per bag or per day as a tip.

El

The power supply in Madagascar is less than reliable. Electricity operates on 127V at 50Hz using plug type(s) C, D, E, J and K. National electricity coverage is around 15 percent.

Pass

Most travellers will need a passport to enter Madagascar. The passport must be valid for at least six months after the date of arrival and have three blank pages.

Visum

A visa on arrival scheme is in place for select travellers, but often depends on nationality, purpose of travel and port of entry. All other travellers will need to obtain a visa from the nearest embassy or consulate or apply online (e-visa) prior to travel.

Entry visa requirements vary based on nationality, purpose of travel and other factors. Individual travellers are responsible for ensuring that they comply with all visa requirements, which should be confirmed with authorities at their destination prior to travel.

e-Visas

E-visa: Foreign nationals wishing to enter Madagascar can apply for an electronic visa (E-visa) valid for tourist stays of up to 60 days. For stays longer than 60 days, the visa can be extended for up to 90 days at the immigration office. Visa applications can also be made on arrival at the e-Visa counters.

Visas on Arrival

Visa Upon Arrival: Foreign nationals can apply for an entry visa upon arrival. This visa is valid for stays of up to 90 days.

Lokal resor

Overview

Public transport services across the country are generally unreliable and unsafe. Road travel is also dangerous due to reckless driving habits and poor infrastructure. Rail services are similarly poor due to a lack of maintenance. Ferries and boats are available but are susceptible to accidents. However, domestic air travel is generally a quick and safe mode of transportation.

Authorities require establishments related to tourism and education nationwide, such as hotels, restaurants, markets, travel agencies and tourist transports, as well as universities, to enforce a mask mandate for both staff and customers until further notice, to curb the spread of mpox. Health checks are also implemented at entry points of certain towns and cities.

Travel Safety

Air Travel

Ivato International Airport (TNR/FMMI), Madagascar’s main airport and primary entry point into the country, is located 17km (10.5 miles) from the capital, Antananarivo. The airport is the main hub for Madagascar Airlines, the national flag carrier of Madagascar, and has adequate facilities, including a new terminal. Madagascar Airlines, Air France, Corsair and AirLink operate regular flights to Madagascar. Air France flies direct from Paris, as does Corsair. Madagascar Airlines flies from both Johannesburg and Nairobi, while AirLink offers flights to/from Johannesburg. Luggage theft has been reported occasionally at the airport.

Taxis are readily available outside of the airport, and fares are already set. Other transport options from or to the airport include private pre-booked transfers that can be booked online in advance through services like Welcome Pickups.

Most of Madagascar can be reached by air, and Madagascar Airlines flies to over 60 cities and towns all over the island and other islands. As travel distances are long and the road network is mostly poor, internal flights are often the safest and most reliable means of getting around the country.

Borders and Entry

Health-related surveillance measures:

• Authorities are enforcing Ebola surveillance measures at the country’s entry points. Additionally, officials are imposing a ban on entry into the country for foreign travellers who have stayed in or transited through the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) within the past 21 days. Malagasy citizens and foreign residents of Madagascar were permitted entry but subject to a 21-day quarantine.
• Authorities are enforcing mpox-related surveillance measures at the country’s entry points, including Mahajanga’s Amborovy Airport (MJN/FMNM) and Antananarivo's Ivato Airport (TNR/FMMI). Travellers from countries affected by mpox will be closely monitored. Symptomatic individuals will be referred to a healthcare facility.

Identification

Most travellers will need a passport to enter Madagascar. The passport must be valid for at least six months after the date of arrival and have three blank pages.
Travellers with passports where gender is indicated as "neutral" may be denied entry. Contact the nearest embassy, high commission or consulate to confirm if entry is allowed with passports where gender is indicated as "neutral". The country's laws on LGBTQ people are conservative, and overall social acceptance is low. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer travellers in Madagascar might face legal and social difficulties.

Road Travel

Traffic in Madagascar moves on the right-hand side of the road. The island has three main roads (from Antananarivo to Mahajanga, to Toamasina and to Tuléar), with dirt tracks covering the rest of the country. Most roads are unlit, including in the capital and other larger cities. During the rainy season from December to April, a significant proportion of already poor rural roads become impassable, and many bridges get washed away, especially in the northern regions. Many vehicles operating in Madagascar are likewise poorly maintained.

In Antananarivo and other large towns, streets are congested with all forms of traffic. Roads are generally narrow, and many vehicles drive in the middle of the road. The organisation of traffic is poor, and there are only a few operational traffic lights. Some roundabouts in Antananarivo must be taken ‘the other way around’ with no warning road signs; they are locally known by residents and travellers used to driving around the capital. Most traffic accidents are pedestrian-related due to the lack of pavements and pedestrian crossings.

Other common hazards throughout the country include livestock wandering onto the roads and human-drawn carts. Driving at night outside Antananarivo is strongly discouraged, especially in remote areas and along major national roads in the south and western areas of the country due to poor lighting and bad road conditions. Speed limits are generally set at 50kph (31mph) in cities and 80kph (49mph) on paved roads. There are no national speed limits imposed in rural areas; however, local governments may impose limits within their jurisdiction. Pay attention to any signage.

Rail Travel

The Malagasy railway network dates from the colonial period, and as a result, many of the lines are in a state of disrepair, and the service is limited and unreliable. There are five railway links on the island: Antananarivo to Toamasina, Fianarantsoa to Manakara, Antananarivo to Antsirabe, and Moramaga to Lake Alaotra. A regular passenger rail service runs from Antananarivo to Moramanga and Lake Alaotra and Moramanga to Ambila Lemaitso. Visitors are advised to double-check travelling dates and times when planning a journey.

Public Transport

Ferries and Boats: Several ferries, rivercraft and boats operate in Madagascar, but service may be irregular and vessels are usually in poor condition. Seek local advice on ferries from Tamatave- Sonierana to Sainte-Marie Island and cities on the west coast. Several deadly boat accidents have been reported due to overcrowding, poor maintenance and training and unexpected storms. If you must use these means of transport, it is advisable to take along a life jacket. Use common sense and do not board boats that are overcrowded or do not look seaworthy, especially if bad weather is forecast. Piracy is also an issue in the coastal areas of northern regions.

Buses: Buses (Cab be or Taxi Brousse) are a fairly common form of transport in Madagascar. A flat rate is charged, regardless of the distance of the journey. Due to a lack of suitable roads, there are only a small number of long-distance routes, notably from Antananarivo to Toamasina. Overall, buses are generally overcrowded, slow-moving and leave at irregular times. Often poorly maintained, accidents involving buses are common, especially after dark.

Rickshaws: The rickshaw, or pousse-pousse, is a common and relatively safe way to get around the capital, except where traffic or gradient renders it impractical. Fares are not set and will vary depending on the distance of the journey. Fares should be agreed upon in advance.

Taxis: Taxis are available even at night in all the larger towns and cities, but are scarce in rural areas. By far the safest means of public transport in Madagascar, taxis generally charge flat fares for rides, apart from Antananarivo and Fianarantsoa, where fares should be negotiated beforehand. Fiaranow, a ride-hailing app, is also a viable option.

Minibuses: Bush taxis, or taxis-brousses, are the cheapest and most popular way of getting around the country. Fares for all trips are set by the government and are determined by distance, duration and route conditions. Extra fees are charged on luggage. While operating along various cross-country routes, taxis-brousses are slow, overcrowded, and often poorly maintained. Breakdowns and accidents occur frequently, and most commonly at night. Foreign visitors to the island are advised to use other means of public transport where possible.

Vehicle Hire: Car rentals are available, particularly in Antananarivo. However, due to dangerous driving conditions and poor road infrastructure, most car rental agencies only rent cars with drivers; they are responsible for maintaining the vehicle and sometimes act as tour guides. If renting a car without a driver, travellers are advised to rent 4WD drive vehicles and drive only during the day.