Réunion Island is a very popular tourist destination in the Indian Ocean, rich in its mixed heritage and culture. Choosing your car for a holiday in Réunion is a great way to set off and discover the island.
The island attracts many tourists who come every year to see its breathtaking landscapes, right fromRoland Garros airport. The best known are the volcanoes (Piton de la Fournaise and Piton des Neiges), the cirques in the Highlands (Mafate, Salazie, Cilaos) and the beaches.
Before hiring, people often wonder which vehicle to choose, and which vehicle best suits their kind of stay. These are important questions, as they affect the quality of your journeys on the island’s roads and your whole stay. Here are 5 tips for hiring your vehicle from a rental company during your holiday in Réunion.
Here are 5 tips for choosing the right rental car for your stay in Réunion
Réunion lets you travel a wide variety of roads, from the mountains to the sea, so choosing the right car will help you handle them better. MultiAuto and its 4 car rental branch give you their recommendations before you enjoy the advantages of hiring a car in Réunion.
Tip 1 - Choose the right car model
For a trip alone or as a couple, a city car or a compact is ideal. If you are a family or a group, prefer a more powerful model such as an SUV.
Réunion’s roads have a lot of elevation change. For example, the “road of 400 bends” to Cilaos is known for its length and its many bends at altitude. If you want to go to these places, a vehicle suited to this type of road is essential.
On the other hand, for trips in town centres or in the lowlands, a city car is easier to park and drive.
If you plan to drive a lot, a diesel vehicle is a wiser choice to avoid engine trouble. Finally, a car with an automatic gearbox brings real comfort on Réunion’s winding roads.
Tip 2 - Choose your options and services
Choosing additional options and services can be an asset for your rental and make getting around easier:
- The baby seat option ensures comfort and safety for the youngest.
- The booster seat option for children aged 3-4 to 10.
- With the GPS option, you are sure to reach your destination without any problem. And if your rental lasts more than six days, the GPS option is free!
Tip 3 - Book your car in time
There are two high seasons for car rental in Réunion:
- First, July - August. During the summer holidays in mainland France and the school holidays in Réunion, many tourists come to the island, along with Réunionese living in mainland France who return home for the holidays. The southern winter also offers a pleasant climate for visiting the island’s landscapes.
- Then December - January, the festive season (20 December celebrations, Christmas, New Year…), which falls right in the summer. The ideal time to explore the island’s coasts and tour the beaches.
Demand very often exceeds supply in high season. Given the strong demand, it is wiser to plan your booking in advance (preferably 3 to 6 months). That way you can relax, knowing you made the best choice before your holiday.
Tip 4 - Check the conditions
Before hiring your vehicle, it is important to meet all the requirements in advance, such as how long you have held your licence: you must have held it for at least two years to hire from MultiAuto. This information is checked when you collect the vehicle. If it is incorrect, a “young driver” surcharge is automatically added to the total.
In accordance with current regulations, all rented vehicles are covered by third-party liability. The rental company also offers the Customer the following optional protection (insurance) extras:
- Glass (windows) and punctures (tyres)
- Excesses
Without excess waiver, if you are responsible for an accident, damage to the vehicle is entirely payable by the customer. With the “partial waiver” option, you reduce the amount payable in the event of an at-fault accident or theft. Then there is full waiver, where all costs are covered.
When you collect the vehicle in Réunion, a credit card deposit (CB, VISA, MASTERCARD) is required from the Customer. The deposit amount depends on the category of vehicle hired.
Tip 5 - Enjoy your stay
Once you have your vehicle, you can explore Réunion and discover a host of magnificent landscapes and natural sites, many of them accessible by car, so you have no excuse to miss them!
Explore the island’s beautiful beaches along our coast. From the West (Saint-Gilles-les-Bains) to the South (Saint-Joseph), our island is full of beaches just waiting to be visited.
Crossing the Grand Brûlé, between Sainte-Rose and Saint-Philippe, you can discover the Route des Laves. Along this road you will see the lava flows left by the Piton de la Fournaise, an almost supernatural sight where nature reclaims its territory.
With these “Pitons, Cirques and Remparts”, follow the many hiking trails at the heart of this UNESCO World Heritage site.
With these 5 tips, you have all the information to book your car in the best conditions. MultiAuto’s car branches in Réunion will be delighted to help make your stay a success. Trust us with your car rental: our attentive team will help you select the vehicle best suited to your stay. Now you know what to do: book your car now!
4 branches including Roland Garros airport, unlimited mileage included, clear rates and a real person who knows the island. We do more than hand you the keys: we advise you to suit your plans, from the coast to the cirques.
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