Mayotte is 11-15 hours flight from Paris, making it one of the most distant and least well-served French destinations overseas. The single international airport, Marcel Henry (DZA), is located on Petite-Terre at Dzaoudzi-Pamandzi.
Two main options from Paris. The direct CDG-Dzaoudzi flight by Corsair (about 15h with non-commercial technical stopover in Antananarivo or Mombasa, 2 to 3 flights per week) — the most direct option but with fewer frequencies. The flight via Réunion by Air Austral (Paris-Saint-Denis 11h, then Saint-Denis-Dzaoudzi 1h30 with connection, total 14-16h depending on layover) — the most frequent option, several daily flights. Air Austral also offers connections from Nairobi, Madagascar and Mauritius, sometimes useful for regional combos.
The fares vary greatly by season. In low season (May-June, September-October), expect €700-1,000 return. In high season (July-August holidays, Christmas, February), fares climb to €1,200-1,500. For the best prices, book 3 to 6 months in advance and stay flexible.
Once there, the Petite-Terre / Grande-Terre crossing is by ferry: near-continuous line day and night between Dzaoudzi (Petite-Terre) and Mamoudzou (Grande-Terre), 15-minute crossing. Free for pedestrians, paid for vehicles (€8-10 by category). Queues possible at peak hours.
On Grande-Terre, the car is strongly recommended. Rental from the airport or in Mamoudzou: €40-60/day for a city car, to be booked very far in advance (limited supply). Asphalted national roads but narrow, cautious driving recommended (pedestrians, livestock, frequent speed bumps). On Petite-Terre (11 km², 8 km long), everything is done on foot or by collective taxi (€2-5).
A combined stopover with Réunion is very easy (Air Austral, 1h30 direct flight, several daily rotations) and allows a "two-DROM" trip of 2-3 weeks. A Madagascar excursion (Nosy Be, Antananarivo) is also conceivable from Mayotte.
Read also
- Grande-Terre and Mamoudzou — The main island, the prefecture, the northern and southern beaches — the administrative and natural heart of Mayotte.
- Petite-Terre and Dzaoudzi — The satellite island and former capital, the Rocher de Dzaoudzi, Lac Dziani — concentrate of volcanic landscapes.
- The Lagoon of Mayotte — 1,500 km² of lagoon, humpback whales, dolphins, sea turtles — one of the world's largest lagoons.
- Réunion — The other French department of the Indian Ocean — combinable with an Air Austral stopover from Mayotte.