Réunion Island road journey
Driving in Réunion Island
A practical guide to right-side driving, French road signs, coastal express roads, mountain routes, weather and live road conditions.
Drive on the right—not the left
Réunion follows the French road system. Keep right after every turn and use extra care when leaving Roland Garros Airport, exiting a car park or approaching your first roundabout. This is the opposite side from Mauritius and Rodrigues.
Keep right
Recheck your lane after junctions, stops and one-way sections.
Roundabouts
Read the signs and lane markings on approach; do not rely on habits from a left-driving country.
Overtake left
Use the left side for overtaking only when markings, visibility and conditions permit.
Follow signs and the posted speed
French road rules apply. Speed varies by road type, signage, vehicle and conditions; some two-way roads are limited to 80 km/h. Seat belts apply in front and rear seats, and children under 10 generally need an approved restraint suited to them.
- Never treat a general speed figure as permission to exceed a lower posted limit.
- Stop safely before handling a phone or navigation device.
- Check the rental car contains a high-visibility vest and warning triangle.
- Ask for the correct approved child seat when travelling with a young child.
Official references: French speed regulation and seat-belt and child-restraint rules.
Coastal roads and mountain roads feel different
Route des Tamarins and principal coastal roads make longer journeys practical, but traffic can build around major towns. Access to Cilaos, Salazie, the volcano and highland viewpoints can involve steep gradients, many bends and slower travel.
Express and national roads
Choose the correct lane early and allow extra time near busy urban corridors.
Cirque roads
Use lower gears for control, leave space and never rush a blind bend.
Highland visibility
Cloud, rain and temperature can differ sharply from conditions on the coast.
Check weather and road status the same day
Heavy rain, strong wind, cyclonic conditions, rockfall risk or maintenance can affect roads and forest access. Never enter a flooded road. Under serious official alerts, limit or avoid travel and follow authority instructions.
Before a mountain or long-distance journey, check Météo-France Réunion vigilance and current official road or forest-access information. A static travel article cannot confirm that a route is open today.
Build realistic driving days
Group nearby places and preserve time for bends, viewpoints and changing conditions. Download offline navigation, refuel before highland routes and return before darkness if you are uncomfortable with an unfamiliar mountain road.
Airport and north
Roland Garros Airport, Saint-Denis and the northern road network.
West and south
Route des Tamarins, resort areas and onward travel toward the south.
Cirques and volcano
Dedicated day trips that require weather and access checks.
Driving in Réunion Island FAQ
Direct answers to common questions about driving and planning a Réunion Island road trip.
Which side of the road do people drive on in Réunion?
Vehicles drive on the right in Réunion because the island follows the French road system.
Are Réunion roads difficult to drive?
The principal roads are modern, but routes into the cirques and highlands can be steep, narrow and winding. Conditions and temporary closures should be checked before departure.
What speed limits apply in Réunion?
French speed rules apply and limits vary by road and conditions. Follow the signs on the route; some relevant two-way roads are limited to 80 km/h.
Can I drive to Cilaos in a rental car?
Rental cars commonly travel to Cilaos, but the mountain road is demanding. Check weather, road status and any provider restrictions before leaving.
Where can I check bad-weather warnings?
Use the current Météo-France Réunion vigilance information and official road updates before mountain or long-distance journeys.
Complete your Réunion rental research
Compare the full rental conditions
Check the provider, vehicle, pickup instructions, licence acceptance, deposit, insurance and mountain-road restrictions before confirming.