Practical Information

You’ll feel at home in Reunion straight away. But the climate may come as a surprise!

Time difference between Paris and Reunion

+ 3 hours in winter, + 2 hours in summer (GMT+ 4).

Communications

• Dialing code
  + 262 if you are calling from outside of France (and not + 33).

• There are three local mobile operators, (Orange, SFR, Only) and roaming is possible with operators in mainland France and many other countries. Be careful though, as the cost of roaming can be high. Whether making or receiving calls, each one is billed as if you were in another country in Europe.
  
  Tip : buy pre-paid cards when you arrive.

• Internet: most hotels have internet access but you often have to pay. There are cybercafés and other places like mediatheques with net access. Free WiFi in towns is developing, especially in shopping centres and malls.

• Electricity: current of 220/240 volts at 50 hertz. Wall sockets take plugs with two pins like those used in mainland France.

 

Passports, please!

Passports or ID cards are required for French citizens and people from the rest of the European Union.
A visa is required for citizens of all other nations.

Note : Reunion is not in the Schengen Zone, which means visas for mainland France are not valid. Contact an embassy or the French consulate.

As rabies does not exist in Reunion, all animals must be vaccinated before being brought in.

Airline Routes

Air Austral, Air France, and Corsairfly fly to Reunion from Paris, Marseilles, Lyon, Toulouse and Nantes (Corsairfly).
It is possible to fly to Reunion via Mauritius (Air Mauritius).

Click here for more information regarding airline companies flying to and from Reunion.

Airports

Roland-Garros Airport

For long-haul and regional flights
Located in the north of Reunion in St Marie (10 minutes from the city centre of St Denis, when not in rush hour).

The airport has a meeting point and a café near the exit of the luggage reception area.

The car park, vehicle rental services and taxis can be found just outside the airport building. The bus stop is fifteen minutes’ walk away and there are shuttle services between the airport and the city centre.

There is nowhere to exchange money at the airport but there are cash points.

Plane timetables and other useful information are regularly updated on the answer phone (tel. 0262 28 16 16) and on the Roland-Garros Airport website.

Pierrefonds Airport

Only for regional flights
Located in St Pierre, in the south.

Cash points / ATMs

There are cash points all over the island.

What to pack

Bring light clothes, but don’t forget a warm jumper or fleece depending on the season, and a good anorak if you’re planning on trekking in the mountains, spending the night at altitude or getting up to see the sun rise at the Piton des Neiges or the volcano at dawn…

Indispensible : sunhat or cap, sunglasses, sun cream, swimsuit (topless sunbathing is allowed on the beaches) trainers or hiking boots.

Recommended : loose-fitting clothing which covers arms and legs to avoid mosquito bites as the austral summer nights fall.

Do not pack too much : anything you don’t have you’ll be able to find locally.

Importing fresh fruit, vegetables or seeds is strictly prohibited, so don’t bring your hosts any flowers!
When you travel, liquids and sharp objects must be stowed in the hold.

Tip: trousers with legs you can unzip are a good idea, especially when changing from one climate zone to another!

Health

In the air

Flights from mainland France last over ten hours. Make sure you drink enough water and remember to move around during the flight in order to encourage circulation of the blood. Tights or support stockings can add extra comfort. Scuba-diving is to be avoided in the 24 hours preceding your flight.

Children fly with little difficulties and, for some babies, it can be the very first time they sleep right through the night.

Tip: If you don’t want a baby on your lap for the whole flight, make sure you book a cradle with your airline company beforehand. Baby bottles, sweets and chewing gum for children can help to protect those sensitive eardrums on take-off and landing.

 

On the ground

There are no specific health risks in Reunion. No vaccinations are necessary before coming, except for those passengers flying in from a country currently affected by cholera or yellow fever.

There is no malaria in Reunion, but it’s still advised to protect yourself well from mosquito bites.

The advanced medical and pharmaceutical network means that it’s easy to get your hands on all kinds of medicine and hygiene products.

Protect your children from the sun, especially on the beach and up in the mountains (sun cream, long-sleeved t-shirts and headgear). For long drives up in the mountains, it is prudent to take preventative measures against carsickness.

Weather Forecasts

In Reunion, the weather varies a great deal depending on the area and altitude.

Here is the website for Meteo France’s regional office in Reunion:

http://www.meteo.fr/temps/domtom/La_Reunion/ (in French)

Weather forecasts: Tel. 32 50

Cyclone updates: Tel. 08 97 65 01 01

Volcanic eruptions

Here is the website for the Piton de la Fournaise Volcano Observatory:

http://ovpf.univ-reunion.fr/ (in French)

Observatory answer phone : Tel. 0262 27 54 61

Administrative Information

Préfecture de la Réunion
Place du Barachois
97405 St Denis
Tél. 02 62 40 77 77
http://www.reunion.pref.gouv.fr (in French)

Emergency phone numbers

European Emergency Number: 112

Police: 17

Fire Services: 18

Ambulance: 15

All-night pharmacies: 0262 90 60 44

Coastguard: 0262 43 43 43

School Holidays