Open Travel Guide
Budget travel in Seychelles

Seychelles Travel Budget 2026

The numbers behind a Seychelles trip: accommodation, food, transport, and the costs nobody warns you about.

Seychelles is an archipelago of 115 islands in the Indian Ocean, renowned for pristine white-sand beaches, crystal-clear turquoise waters, and unique granite rock formations. Exceptional territory for beach lovers, nature enthusiasts, and luxury travelers alike.

Local currency: Seychellois Rupee (SCR).

Daily budget by traveller style

Typical per-person daily spend in Seychelles.

Backpacker $30-50
Mid-range $230-350
Luxury $600-1500+
Family of 4 $200-400

Cost breakdown

Typical price ranges across major spending categories.

Accommodation

Hostel
No traditional hostels exist in Seychelles
Budget
$55-80 (guesthouse/self-catering apartment)
Midrange
$150-220 (mid-range hotel)
Luxury
$400-2000+ (resort villa)

Food

Street
$4-8 (Victoria Market takeaway Creole curry)
Local
$15-25 (local Creole restaurant)
Midrange
$35-60 (mid-range restaurant with drinks)
Fine
$80-150+/person (fine dining)

Transport

Bus
$0.30 SCR 6 flat fare - public bus
Taxi
$20-35 (typical taxi cross-island trip)
Airport
$5-8 (taxi to Victoria), $25-30 (to Beau Vallon)
Daytrip
$65-120 (organized marine park day trip)

Activities

Museum
$5 (Natural History Museum)
Sites
$12-25 (L'Union Estate, Vallee de Mai)
Tour
$55-80 (guided island tour)
Excursion
$100-150 (day trip to Silhouette or Curieuse)

Trip budgets by length

What a typical trip to Seychelles costs end-to-end.

Budget

Budget traveller

$700-1050/week (7 days at $100-150/day using guesthouses, local food, public buses)

Midrange

Midrange traveller

$1610-2450/week (7 days at $230-350/day using hotels, mix of restaurants and self-catering, taxis)

Luxury

Luxury traveller

$4200-10500+/week (7 days at $600-1500+/day at resort villas, fine dining, private transfers)

Money-saving tips

Practical ways to stretch your budget further.

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Self-catering is the biggest cost saver in Seychelles - accommodations with kitchen facilities allow you to buy fresh fish and produce at Victoria Market at a fraction of restaurant prices

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Use SPTC public buses on Mahé (SCR 6 flat fare - about $0.30) instead of taxis, especially for the airport to Victoria run and getting between northern and southern Mahé

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Victoria Market food stalls serve authentic Creole lunch for $4-8 - the best value meals on the islands eaten alongside local workers rather than tourists

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Avoid shoulder and high season pricing by visiting in April or October when weather is good, prices lower, and crowds minimal compared to July-August peak

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Book Cat Cocos ferry tickets online in advance to avoid peak season surcharges and guarantee your preferred sailing times

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Skip the luxury resort spa and use standalone day spas in Victoria which offer the same treatments at 40-60% lower prices

Free things to do

Memorable experiences that cost nothing.

Free

Beau Vallon Beach Swimming

Mahé's most popular beach with calm water for swimming and snorkeling is completely free to access. The 3km beach offers beautiful scenery and you can rent snorkel gear or simply enjoy the Indian Ocean for no cost.

Free

Victoria Town Walk

Exploring Victoria's compact town centre including the Clock Tower, market exterior, botanical garden entrance area, and harbour is a rewarding free activity with excellent people-watching and local atmosphere.

Free

Morne Seychellois National Park Hiking

All hiking trails in Morne Seychellois National Park including Copolia Trail, Anse Major Trail, and Morne Seychellois summit are free to access. Just bring water and start early.

Free

Mission Lodge Viewpoint

The panoramic viewpoint and historical ruins at Mission Lodge on Sans Soucis Road offer some of the best views on Mahé at absolutely no charge. Particularly stunning at sunset.

Free

Anse Soleil & Anse Royale Beaches

Both of these beautiful Mahé beaches are completely free to access with excellent swimming and snorkeling directly from the shore. Anse Royale has good snorkeling over a reef accessible without equipment.

Free

La Digue Island Cycling

Bicycles rent for about $7-10 per day on La Digue and cycling the entire island provides access to multiple stunning beaches including Grand Anse and Petite Anse. Many spots are completely free once you have the bicycle.

Hidden costs to watch for

Charges that catch travellers by surprise.

Heads up

Island ferry costs add up significantly - each Cat Cocos journey between islands costs $50-60 one-way for adults, so island-hopping is expensive

Heads up

Car rental strongly recommended for Mahé exploration at $40-70/day - public buses cover main routes but miss many attractions

Heads up

Marine park entry fees included in organized day trips but charged separately for independent visitors ($10-20 per person per visit)

Heads up

Most resort and hotel restaurants charge a 10% service charge plus 15% Value Added Tax (VAT) on top of menu prices

Heads up

Pre-booked private airport transfers cost $75-100 - budget option is the SCR 6 public bus but limited service frequency