​Getting There – Madagascar

Philip Briggs
Expert
By Philip Briggs

Philip is a renowned Africa expert and author of many guidebooks to African destinations, including the Insight guide to Madagascar.

Philip is a renowned Africa expert and author of the Insight Guide to Madagascar.

Philip is the author of the Insight Guide to Madagascar.

Travel Alert

Travel restrictions and additional entry requirements may apply for Madagascar due to the coronavirus pandemic and if so, can change from day-to-day. Please visit our coronavirus page to stay informed about the latest developments.

Travel Alert
Map of Madagascar Map of Madagascar
Madagascar Map

Madagascar's main airport is Ivato International Airport (TNR), located 12km/7mi north of Antananarivo. The second international airport is located in the north of the country, offshore on Nosy Be, the island’s most popular beach destination. This airport is mainly used for all-inclusive beach packages.

There are scheduled domestic flights to several cities in the country but since the scheduled flights are notoriously unreliable, the use of chartered flights is recommended. Road travel is also possible, but due to the size of the island and the bad condition of the roads, most tours incorporate at least one domestic flight.

In most cases your local tour operator will arrange pick-up at the airport and organize further transportation as part of your travel package.

Flights & Airlines to Madagascar

Check Skyscanner to see which airlines can take you to Madagascar, and what tickets would cost.

Domestic Airlines & Flights in Madagascar

There are two domestic carriers in Madagascar. Air Madagascar is the more established and has a bigger network of flights around the country. Their flights are however often delayed or cancelled at short notice. More reliable is the relatively new Madagasikara Airways.

Passport, Visa & Other Entry Requirements

Entry requirements can change, so please contact your local Madagascar embassy to verify the information below is current.

  • A passport is required for all foreign visitors and must be valid for at least six months.
  • Passports must have at least two clean visa pages.
  • A scan of your return ticket is required.
  • Citizens of all countries require a visa.
  • Single entry tourist visas up to three months are available on arrival.
  • Visas can also be obtained in advance from Madagascar embassies or high commissions.
  • When arriving from a yellow-fever-infected country in Africa or the Americas, a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required.

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