Getting to Madagascar
Madagascar is an island in the Indian Ocean, off the southeast coast of Africa. The primary way to reach Madagascar is by air. There are no regular ferry services from the African mainland.
International Airports
Madagascar has two international airports that receive flights from abroad:
Located 17 km northwest of Antananarivo, the capital. This is the main gateway to Madagascar and handles the vast majority of international flights. Airlines serving Ivato include Air France, Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways, Turkish Airlines, Air Austral, Corsair, and Air Madagascar (Tsaradia).
Located on the island of Nosy Be in the northwest. Receives seasonal charter flights and some regular international connections, mainly from Réunion, Mayotte, and occasionally from Europe during tourist season (June–October).
Main Routes
From Europe
Direct flights from Paris (CDG/ORY) are the most common route, operated by Air France, Corsair, and Air Madagascar. Flight time is approximately 10–11 hours. From other European cities, connections are typically via Paris, Istanbul (Turkish Airlines), Addis Ababa (Ethiopian Airlines), or Nairobi (Kenya Airways).
From Africa
Ethiopian Airlines connects Antananarivo to Addis Ababa with onward connections to the rest of Africa and the world. Kenya Airways flies from Nairobi. Air Austral and Ewa Air serve connections from Réunion, Mayotte, and Comoros. South African Airways has operated seasonal routes from Johannesburg.
From Asia & Middle East
Turkish Airlines from Istanbul offers convenient connections from Asia, Russia, and the CIS countries. There are no direct flights from China, but connections via Addis Ababa, Istanbul, or Dubai are common. From India, Ethiopian Airlines via Addis Ababa is the most practical route.
From the Indian Ocean region
Air Austral and Air Madagascar connect Madagascar to Réunion, Mauritius, Mayotte, and the Comoros. These are typically short flights (1–3 hours).
Book flights well in advance during high season (July–October and Christmas). Prices can double or triple during peak periods. Flexible dates can save significantly.
Best Time to Visit
Madagascar has two main seasons. The cool, dry season (May–October) is generally the best time to visit — comfortable temperatures, less rain, and excellent wildlife viewing. The hot, rainy season (November–April) brings heavy rains, cyclone risk on the east coast, and some roads become impassable, but it is also the season when many plants flower and some animals (like chameleons) are most active.