Rent a car in Réunion and embark on a journey to discover Bourbon Island.
Over 1,300 destinations around the world
Zero hidden fees
Outstanding value for money
Welcome to Thrifty Reunion, car hire in Reunion Island. Discover Reunion Island at a great price.
Car hire at Thrifty Réunion
Discover Thrifty Réunion: Your Car Rental Service in Réunion
As a leading car rental provider in Réunion, Thrifty Réunion allows you to rent your car online or from one of our three locations: at Roland Garros Airport, Sainte-Marie, and Saint-Gilles-les-Bains. With a modern, well-maintained, and secure fleet, Thrifty Réunion offers rental cars to meet all your needs. Our fleet enables both locals and tourists to explore Réunion Island in comfort and safety.
Whatever your preferences, you will find the perfect rental car at the best value! For example, we offer compact city cars, ideal for navigating urban streets or heading to the beach. Their fuel efficiency makes them perfect for coastal drives without worrying about refueling.
For visitors looking to explore inland and tackle winding roads, Thrifty Réunion offers SUVs and Crossovers. These vehicles can easily take you to hiking starting points, such as the cirques of Cilaos, Salazie, and Mafate.
Finally, for larger families or group trips, we also provide minibuses that can accommodate up to 7 passengers or transport a lot of luggage to your hotel.
Réunion Island: A Brief Geographic and Historical Overview
Located in the Indian Ocean, 950 km from the coast of Madagascar and 250 km from Mauritius, Réunion is a French overseas department and region (974) with an area of 2,512 km², roughly the size of Guadeloupe and Martinique combined. Historically called Bourbon Island in honor of the French kings, it is filled with wonders and monuments across the island. The easiest way to explore it independently is undoubtedly by renting a car.
Top 5 Must-Visit Places with Your Rental Car in Réunion
The island is full of breathtaking places, many of which are best reached by car. Here are five magical destinations you shouldn’t miss:
The Cirques of Cilaos, Salazie, and Mafate
From Saint-Louis, there is only one road up to Cilaos, featuring 400 hairpin bends and exceptional landscapes. Salazie is much easier to access by car, just a 30-minute drive from Saint-André. Mafate is inaccessible by car; only a good pair of hiking shoes or a helicopter will get you there.
Piton de la Fournaise
Standing at 2,632 meters, this active volcano is a must-see in the southeast of Réunion. From Saint-Benoît, take the RN3 to the Cité du Volcan, then continue on the Route Forestière. Plan about 1.5 hours of driving, but allow a half-day to fully explore the volcano.
Piton Maïdo
Located in the west, Piton Maïdo offers spectacular views of the Mafate cirque and the entire western region of Réunion. From Saint-Gilles-les-Bains, the drive takes roughly 1–1.25 hours. Piton Maïdo is one of the entry points to Mafate, as a trail from Roche-Plate allows hikers to reach the cirque.
Piton des Neiges
The highest point on the island at 3,070 meters, it rarely has snow. This dormant volcano formed Réunion around 3 million years ago. To get close by car, drive to Cilaos and continue to Le Bloc. The rest of the ascent is possible only on foot.
Bébour Forest
Located in the island’s center, about an hour from Saint-Benoît, take the same road as to Piton de la Fournaise. The largest forest on the island has parking facilities for rental cars. Perfect for a family visit, it offers easy trails for beginners in a lush, dense natural environment.
Frequently Asked Questions – Thrifty Réunion Car Rental
Why hire a car in Réunion?
Some tourist sites are not served by public transport, while others are particularly difficult to access. While it is possible to rely on buses for getting around cities like Saint-Denis (the capital) and Saint-Paul, it is better to rent a car for trips to the beach, hiking, or adventures without time constraints.
Finally, note that fuel prices in Réunion are lower than in mainland France. It’s not uncommon to pay around €1 per litre of petrol or diesel at one of the 120 service stations across the island!
Where and How to Book a Rental Car with Thrifty Réunion
Thrifty Réunion, the leading car rental company in Réunion, has 3 on-site agencies:
-
At Roland Garros Airport (97438): As soon as you exit the plane, we offer you a clean and secure vehicle, allowing you to quickly reach your hotel and explore the island at your own pace. A wide range of vehicles is available, from small city cars to SUVs, as well as minibuses for large families and group visits.
-
In Sainte-Marie (97438): Located near Roland Garros Airport in Saint-Denis, our Thrifty Réunion agency in Sainte-Marie allows you to pick up your rental car while avoiding the airport crowds and traffic. A shuttle service is available to transport you between Roland Garros Airport and our Sainte-Marie agency, and vice versa.
-
In Saint-Gilles-les-Bains (97434): Situated in the western part of Réunion Island, home to some of the island’s most beautiful beaches, our Thrifty Réunion agency in Saint-Gilles-les-Bains offers rental vehicles to all vacationers and visitors staying around Saint-Gilles-les-Bains, as well as Saint-Paul and Saint-Leu.
Book your rental car on our website! You are guaranteed to have a rental car ready upon arrival at Roland Garros Airport, even during peak summer periods. Enjoy our low and preferential rates all year round. The rates on Thrifty Réunion’s website are the same as in our on-site rental agencies. Simple and fast: from the comfort of your home, with your credit card, booking your rental car only takes a few minutes.
How to Rent a Car in Réunion ?
Renting a car in Réunion is neither long nor complicated. However, you will still need to provide a few documents to get on the road as quickly as possible!
Regarding driver documents:
-
A valid driving licence for all French drivers
-
A valid driving licence and an international driving permit for all foreign drivers
-
A valid ID card or passport for all drivers, whether French or foreign
Please note: photocopies are not accepted and are not considered valid travel documents. All drivers renting and driving a car with Thrifty Réunion must be at least 21 years old and have held a driving licence for at least 1 year. Some vehicles may require a higher minimum age and/or longer driving experience to rent.
Regarding payment methods:
Online reservation: Once on site, we will need the credit or debit card in the name of the main driver
Booking directly at an agency: Accepted payment methods include credit and debit cards, holiday vouchers, and cash (up to €1,000)
In all cases, upon arrival, we will request a bank pre-authorization to cover the deposit (only by debit card, credit card, or American Express).
Do you have questions or need more information? Contact us without delay!
Driving in Réunion: Essential Tips for a Safe and Easy Journey
With a road network of approximately 3,000 kilometers, Réunion Island is served by three main routes: RN1, RN2, and RN3. Specifically, RN1 connects Saint-Denis to Saint-Pierre via the west of the island, RN2 connects Saint-Denis to Saint-Pierre via the east, and RN3, known as the Route des Plaines, connects Saint-Pierre to Saint-Benoît from west to east. This makes it very quick and easy to drive around the entire island.
However, driving inland can be more challenging, as urban development has mostly been concentrated along the coast and in the island’s major towns. Some roads have steep slopes, a series of curves, or even hairpin turns, while others are bordered by ditches or run alongside cliffs.
For this reason, we recommend carefully planning your trips with a map, a phone to stay in contact, and allowing plenty of time. Some tourist sites may be difficult to access, but they are still breathtaking and absolutely worth the detour!
Exploring Réunion by Car: Where to Find the Best Beaches?
Whether white or black sand, Réunion Island offers around 50 kilometers of beaches and lagoons, perfect for swimming or enjoying family walks. Most of the beaches are found along the western or south-southwestern coasts of the island—particularly from Saint-Gilles-les-Bains to Saint-Leu in the west, and from Saint-Pierre to Saint-Joseph in the south-southwest.
To reach them with your rental car, a small city car is usually the most convenient choice, as nearly all these beaches sit right along the roadside and are easy to access.
For those who love water sports and outdoor activities, the west of Réunion is known as a true playground—ideal for paragliding, surfing, and even horseback riding. On the western coast, we also suggest heading to the Saint-Leu harbor to try scuba diving, jet skiing, and more.