Wondering how to get to Seychelles islands? I’ve visited this tropical paradise multiple times, and reaching it is easier than you might think.
That’s why I’ve put together this guide to help you navigate your journey and share all the best ways to travel to Seychelles.
BEST PLACES TO STAY IN SEYCHELLES:
• Hilltop Boutique Hotel (I stayed here in Victoria on Mahé)
• Sun Properties & Resort Hotel (I stayed here in Beau Vallon on Mahé)
• Marie Laure Suites (I stayed here in Bel Ombre on Mahé)
• Bambous River Lodge (I stayed here in Bel Ombre on Mahé)
• Palm Beach Hotel (I stayed here in Grand Anse on Praslin)
• Chez Bea (I stayed here in Cote’Or on Praslin)
• Cote D’Or Footprints (upscale stay in Cote D’Or on Praslin)
• La Digue Self Catering Apartments (I stayed here in La Passe on La Digue)
• Le Nautique Waterfront Hotel (perfect beachfront location on La Digue)
• Chalets d’Anse Reunion (perfect paradise stay on La Digue)
TOP EXPERIENCES and TOURS IN SEYCHELLES:
• Mahé: Anse Major hike (I did this fun hike!)
• Mahé: Private Tour on Mahé (I did this)
• Mahé: St. Anne Marine Park with Lunch (I did this!)
• Mahé: Rock pool hike (on my wishlist)
• Mahé: Day trip to Praslin and La Digue (great if you are short on time)
• Praslin: Vallé de Mai and Anse Lazio (I did this!)
• Praslin: cruise to Curieuse and St. Pierre Island (top-rated tour)
• La Digue: Anse Marron (hike to an isolated beach)
• La Digue: Crystal Water Kayaks tour (my favorite!)
Despite its remote location in the Indian Ocean, Seychelles is surprisingly accessible with various flight options.
I’ll outline how to get to Seychelles from the US, UK, Europe, Australia, and beyond. I’ll also share my insider tips to make your journey as smooth as possible (spoiler: It is worth it!).
Are you still not sure how to get to the Seychelles islands?
Keep reading to find the best routes, flight durations, and other essential travel details to reach these stunning granite islands.
FRIENDLY REMINDER
Never leave for a trip without travel insurance. Unexpected issues can arise so I suggest using insurance that covers people from all over the world, while outside their home country. You can buy this travel insurance even if you are already abroad.
How to get to Seychelles islands
KEY TAKEAWAYS
● The easiest and most common way to reach the Seychelles is by plane.
● Main island Mahé is the primary entry point for visitors.
● You can visit other islands by taking a cat Cocos ferry. You can explore the islands by taxi, bus, rental car, or bike.
● Direct flights connect the Seychelles to major cities in the Middle East, Africa, and India. If flying from the US, Europe, and Australia plan to add one stopover to your flight itinerary.
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How to get to Seychelles
Getting to the Seychelles islands is surprisingly easy despite its remote location.
The best way to reach Seychelles is by plane.
Seychelles International Airport (SEZ) on Mahé Island is the primary entry point for travelers. The airport is around 9 km (5.6 mi) or 10 minutes drive from the capital Victoria.
Direct flights to Seychelles
Direct flights to Seychelles are available from major cities in the Middle East, some African hubs, India, Mauritius, and a few European cities.
From the Middle East, you can fly directly from major cities like Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Doha. Airlines like Emirates, Etihad Airways, and Qatar Airways offer regular flights to Mahe island.
From Africa non-stop flights are available from Nairobi (Kenya), Johannesburg (South African Republic), and Addis Ababa (Ethiopia). Airlines like Kenya Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, and Air Seychelles provide regular service to the islands.
From Europe, you can book a direct trip to the Seychelles from Zurich and Frankfurt, offered by airlines Condor and Edelweiss Air. There is also a direct flight from Istanbul with Turkish Airlines. If you’re flying from other European cities, you’ll likely have a layover in the Middle East or Istanbul.
At the time of writing, there are no direct flights from the United States, UK, Canada, and Australia.
How to get to Seychelles from US and Canada
Getting to Seychelles from the United States and Canada will require some planning, as there are no direct flights available.
The shortest route from the United States to Seychelles will include at least one stopover.
If possible, fly from New York (JFK), Miami (MIA), Atlanta (ATL), or one of the other major hubs. Plan a trip with airlines offering connecting flights to the Seychelles. Emirates and Qatar are your best bet.
The shortest distance from the Seychelles to the USA (New York) is approximately 13.590 km (8.445 mi), with an average flight time of 18 hours. One of the best flight options from New York (JFK) to the Seychelles is with Emirates, via Dubai or Qatar Airways via Doha.
Flying with Middle Eastern airlines, Emirates and Qatar, will also be your best option if you are flying from Los Angeles (LAX), or Toronto (YYZ) in Canada.
Alternatively, I would advise checking flights with Ethiopian Airlines with a stopover in Addis Ababa or Turkish Airlines with a stopover in Istanbul.
How to get to Seychelles from Europe and UK
Traveling to Seychelles from the UK and Europe is relatively straightforward.
There are a few non-stop flights to Seychelles islands available. From Zurich (ZRH) and Frankfurt (FRA) with Condor and Edelweiss Air, and from Istanbul with Turkish Airlines.
If that is not your base, consider flying with an airline based in the Middle East, or a Turkish carrier. That will break the journey into two manageable segments.
The flight duration from European cities and the UK will vary depending on the layovers and connecting flights, but it will generally take more than 12 hours. It will take a similar amount of time flying from Paris, Amsterdam, or Rome.
For example, flight time to Seychelles from London is around 12h 50min for a distance of 8.165 km (5074 mi), and 13h 20min from Manchester (MAN) for a distance of 8.376 km (5205 mi).
How to get to Seychelles from Africa
If you wish to visit the Seychelles from Africa, several airlines are offering direct connections from major African cities.
Non-stop flights to Seychelles airport are available from Johannesburg in South Africa, Nairobi in Kenya, Addis Ababa in Ethiopia, and two other tropical islands in the Indian Ocean, Mauritius and Reunion.
The flight duration from African cities to this island archipelago is typically around 3 to 5 hours, depending on the departure location.
Popular airlines flying to the Seychelles islands from Africa include Air Seychelles, Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways, and South African Airways.
How to get to Seychelles from Australia
Coming to Seychelles from Australia will include at least one stopover, but the journey will be well worth it!
Your best option will be to fly from a major Australian city like Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, or Brisbane to a connecting hub in the Middle East, Asia, or Africa.
The total travel time can vary but it will generally be more than 22h with only 1 stopover, to 34h and more with two stopovers. It will all depend on layovers and connections.
The best flight connections are available with Emirates via Dubai. Flying with Emirates to Seychelles from Sydney (SYD) Australia will only require one stopover. The approximate flight time for that journey will be 22h 25min.
Other flight options include multiple airlines and multiple stopovers. Most of them include at least two stopovers. The first one is in Asia via Bangkok (BKK) or Singapore (SIN) and the second one is in Addis Ababa (ADD) in Ethiopia. Those flights will usually take more than one day. You can book that flight with Qantas and Ethiopian Air.
Tips for booking your flight to Seychelles
I was flying to Seychelles from Zagreb, Ljubljana, Venice, Vienna, and Munich.
That is more than 5 different flight itineraries, and I used 4 airlines. I flew with Turkish Airlines, Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways, and Emirates.
I prefer going to Seychelles through the Middle East over Istanbul. The reason is that the layover in the Middle East provides a nice break between two flights with similar travel times, averaging around 5 hours each.
Flying via Istanbul means one flight will be short, around 2 hours, and the flight from Istanbul to Seychelles will be longer with an expected flight time of around 8 hours.
When looking for the quickest route and the best ticket deals to Seychelles, I always set up price alerts on Google Flights and Skyscanner. Both are great tools for comparing prices across multiple airlines, finding flexible travel dates and ensuring you get the most value for your money.
I share my step-by-step process, of finding the best deals, in my email newsletter.
Final thoughts on how to get to the Seychelles
The best way to reach Seychelles is to fly.
Most flights will take you to Seychelles International Airport in Mahé. From there, you can easily explore other stunning islands like Praslin and La Digue by ferry or domestic flights.
You can fly directly to Seychelles from cities like Dubai, Doha, Istanbul, and Johannesburg. Coming from destinations like the USA, Canada, or Australia will add at least one stopover, to your flight itinerary.
With iconic spots like Anse Source D’Argent, Denis Island, Silhouette Island, and two UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Seychelles promises an unforgettable experience. While visiting Seychelles is worth it and unique on its own, you can combine it with a visit to Mauritius, or a safari in Kenya.
Now that you know how to get to the Seychelles, your dream trip to these 115 islands is just a step away!
If you’re excited to start planning your tropical getaway, check out my other Seychelles guides and have a look at the perfect Seychelles itinerary! You’ll find tips on the best beaches, things to do in Mahé, Praslin, and La Digue, where to stay, fun facts, and comparisons with other tropical destinations like Barbados and Zanzibar.
➤ Read more Seychelles travel guides
• How to spend 10 days in Seychelles Itinerary
• How to get to La Digue, Seychelles, from Mahé or Praslin
• How to get to Praslin, Seychelles, from Mahé or La Digue
• Is Seychelles worth visiting? Should you visit or skip it
• 101+ Seychelles Captions for Instagram