Well-known for its picturesque beaches with crystal-clear waters, Seychelles is one of the world’s most beautiful island nations. The three main islands, Mahe, La Digue, and Praslin attract tourists from all over the world.
Is Seychelles expensive? Unfortunately, visiting this tropical paradise comes with a hefty price tag. For instance, the average cost for 2 people for a one-week vacation in Seychelles is about $2,400, excluding airfare to get to the country. In terms of accommodation, food, and shopping, Seychelles is more expensive than other popular tourist destinations such as Bali, Thailand, and Mauritius.
This ultimate costs guide to Seychelles will tell you everything you need to know about the island, from accommodation and food costs to activities and flight prices. We’ve also included several money-saving tips for visiting Seychelles as a special bonus.
The Average Cost of a Holiday to Seychelles
How much does a trip to Seychelles cost? It really depends on what you are after. Budget travelers staying in hostels and self-catering apartments should expect to spend around $100 a day. This expense includes sightseeing, transportation around Seychelles, food, and accommodation.
On the other hand, luxury travelers visiting Seychelles can easily spend over $1,000 a day, especially if they are planning to stay at 5-star beachfront resorts, splurge for a rental car, and eat out at posh dining establishments.
There is also the mid-range traveler who will approximately spend $150-200 per day on accommodation, boat trips, food, and drinks. To sum it all up, the average cost of a holiday to Seychelles is approximately the same as visiting Maldives.
How Much Does Accommodation Cost in Seychelles
Is Seychelles expensive in terms of accommodation? Besides flight fares, accommodation in Seychelles is the most expensive thing you have to consider. The truth is that accommodation prices in Seychelles can vary greatly, between $50 and $1, 000 per night. The good news is there are many options to choose from including resorts, hotels, apartments, and Airbnb’s.
The most affordable options include self-catering guesthouses and apartments. The price usually depends on the services offered and the location of these guesthouses. Expect to find rates as low as $50 per night.
Mid-range hotels tend to start at $200 per night and some of them are beachfront properties. If you wish to stay at luxury resorts and 5-star hotels in Seychelles, expect to pay between $300 and $1,000 per night for a double room.
Here are a few accommodation options ranging from basic apartments to 5-star resorts:
La Nature Apartments Au Cap ($60 per night) – This property is located just a 10-minute walk from the picturesque Turtle Bay Beach. It offers cozy air-conditioned apartments, a restaurant, and free Wi-Fi.
Coral Strand Smart Choice ($200 per night) – You will find this 4-star hotel right on one of the best beaches in Seychelles, the popular Beau Vallon Bay. Popular with couples on vacation and families with kids, the hotel offers nicely decorated rooms, 2 outdoor pools, a spa, and 3 restaurants. You can also enjoy beach activities like jet skiing, parasailing, and waterskiing for a surcharge.
JA Enchanted Island Resort Seychelles ($1,100 per night) – How about spending your vacation day on a private island right off the coast of Mahe? Book your accommodation at this posh 5-star resort and enjoy French colonial-style villas with private infinity swimming pools.
Food Prices in Seychelles
Food and drink costs in Seychelles will vary according to where you choose to eat. From take-away street food joints to more conventional restaurants and fine dining establishments, there is plenty to choose from. You can easily enjoy a meal for $2 to $5 from takeaway vans and local vendors. We definitely recommend trying the local Creole rice, dhal, and curry dish.
If you are planning to eat out in a more conventional restaurant, expect to pay around $20 for a meal. These mid-range restaurants tend to have plated versions of the dishes that you will find at street food spots.
Next up we have more fine dining restaurants that are often located at hotels and resorts in Seychelles. The seafood entrees at these restaurants will set you back about $30 per person. Although you may get less food on your plate than at more conventional restaurants, the quality of the cuisine and the service is usually top-notch! We have to admit that food in Seychelles is much more expensive than in Thailand.
The Cost of Things to do in Seychelles
There are a lot of things to do in this island nation, for both budget and luxury travelers. The truth is that paid attractions outside of day tours are few. A visit to Anse Source D’Argent on La Digue will set you back $8, while the entrance fee to the Valle de Mai on Praslin costs $26 per person.
Going on snorkeling or a scuba diving trip is one of the best things to do in Seychelles. For instance, a snorkeling trip that allows you to admire the beauty of marine life costs $40. If you wish to go on a scuba diving excursion with a professional guide, expect to pay about $100.
Travelers visiting Seychelles can also hop on a boat trip to one of the many nearby islands. These excursions usually include lunch, snorkeling, and visiting a few different islands. We recommend checking out companies like Curieuse St. Pierre and Anse La Farine.
The Cost of Getting to and Around Seychelles
Because of its isolated location off Africa’s east coast, the easiest way to get to Seychelles is by plane via direct or connecting flights. Victoria Seychelles Airport on Mahe Island is the only major international airport in the country. The cost of flying to this tropical paradise usually depends on the originating country, airline, and the date of the flight.
You can find flights to Seychelles ranging between $500 and $2000 depending on where you are flying from. For instance, Air France and British Airways offer direct flights to Seychelles from London and Paris. To check the flight fares and availability, it’s best to search for flights to Seychelles via Skyscanner.
Getting around Seychelles and traveling between major islands like Praslin, La Digue, and Mahe is super easy. The cheapest way to travel between the islands is by hopping on a ferry. For example, a ferry ride from Praslin to Mahe will set you back $50. A ticket from La Digue to Praslin costs $15 per person. The Seychelles Public Transport Corporation provides public bus services on Mahé and Praslin. Bus tickets approximately cost 40 cents. Car rental prices are fairly standard, with daily rates around $40 to $50 a day.
Seychelles on a Budget: Money-Saving Advice
Visiting Seychelles on a budget and having a memorable tropical vacation without spending too much cash is definitely possible. Let’s start with the accommodation. Instead of a resort or a hotel, choose to stay at a self-catering apartment. Make sure that the apartment has its own kitchen, so that you can reduce your food cost as well. Skip the busy tourist restaurants and try local Creole cuisine at takeaways and street food vendors for $2 to $5 per meal.
Use public transportation! It may not be super reliable, but it gets the job done. For info on bus timetables and routes, check out the SPTC (Seychelles Public Transport Corporation). If you are staying on La Digue Island, you won’t have to rely on buses as the island is barely 5 km in length. The best way to explore La Digue is on a bicycle rental which costs about $10 a day.
If you wish to enjoy a reasonably priced refreshing alcoholic drink or two while vacationing in Seychelles, purchase local beer called SeyBrew and rum Takamaka. Travelers who wish to enjoy water activities like snorkeling and save cash should definitely bring their own snorkeling gear.
Is Seychelles expensive? – Our Verdict
We have to admit that Seychelles is not a budget-friendly destination in the slightest. From accommodation and flights to dining out, visiting this tropical paradise in the Indian Ocean definitely comes with a hefty price tag.
However, if you stick to local foods, use public transportation, and choose to stay at an apartment that is not located right on the beach, you can get by on as little as $100 a day.
