In Saint-Denis, the city is walked in the historic centre (1-2 km on foot between the main sites). The urban bus network Citalis covers the entire city but with variable frequencies. For rapid trips, taxis or VTCs (Bolt works).
From Saint-Denis to the East: the RN2 (National Road 2) runs along the coast from Sainte-Marie to Saint-Benoît in 30-45 minutes. Mainly dual carriageway, fluid outside peak hours (morning and evening near Saint-Denis). To the Highlands (Plaine des Palmistes, Bélouve), the RN3 from Saint-Benoît climbs in 30-45 min to the Plaine des Palmistes (1,000 m), then 30 min of forest road to Hell-Bourg via the col de Bébour.
From Saint-Denis to Salazie: 1h of road via the RN2 then the RN6 (Saint-André → Salazie → Hell-Bourg, 30 km after Salazie). Quite sporty road but well maintained.
From Saint-Denis to the west coast: 40 min to 1h depending on traffic, via the RN1 (Route du Littoral, being replaced by the New Coastal Road) to Saint-Paul or Saint-Gilles.
The Car Jaune buses (interurban network) connect Saint-Denis to all points of the island, but with frequencies insufficient for a tourist stay. To use as a backup.
Read also
- Saint-Denis, the Creole capital — Colonial houses, Jardin de l'État, Musée Léon Dierx and Chaudron market: the largest French city overseas.
- The Cirques of Réunion — Mafate, Cilaos and Salazie: accessible from Saint-Denis in 1h30-2h for Salazie.
- The West Coast — Saint-Gilles, L'Hermitage and the turquoise lagoon: 40 min to 1h from Saint-Denis.
- Réunion — Complete guide of the intense island: formalities, budget, climate, regions to discover.