Everything you need to know about renting a car with 4Drive Praslin
Welcome to the 4Drive Praslin FAQ page. Below you will find answers to the most common questions about our no deposit, no credit card car rental service on Praslin Island, Seychelles. Whether you want to know about our pickup locations, insurance coverage, driving conditions on Praslin, or payment options, we have covered it all. If your question is not answered here, please contact our team directly.
Yes, absolutely. 4Drive Praslin offers car rental on Praslin Island with no deposit and no credit card required. You can pay by debit card or cash when you collect your vehicle at Praslin Island Airport or your hotel. We do not place a hold on your card or require a large security deposit. This makes renting a car in the Seychelles simple and stress-free, especially for travellers who prefer not to use credit cards.
To rent a car with 4Drive Praslin you need a valid driving licence from your home country, your passport, and proof of age (minimum 21 years old). An International Driving Permit is recommended but not strictly required for short stays in the Seychelles. We will verify your documents at pickup to ensure compliance with Seychelles traffic law. Bring originals - photocopies are not accepted.
The minimum age to rent a car with 4Drive Praslin is 21 years. Drivers must hold a valid licence for at least one year. There is no maximum age limit, but all drivers must be physically able to drive safely on Praslin's roads, which include steep and winding sections over the hill to Vallee de Mai and Anse Lazio.
You can book your car rental directly on our website using the booking widget at the top of the homepage. Simply enter your pickup date, return date, and your age. The system will show you available vehicles and prices in EUR. You can complete your reservation online in minutes. For special requests, such as child seats or hotel delivery to a remote location, you can also contact us by email or phone. We confirm all bookings by email.
Yes, 4Drive Praslin offers free cancellation up to 48 hours before your pickup time. If your travel plans change or your flight is delayed, you can cancel or modify your booking without penalty. This gives you flexibility when planning your holiday on Praslin and the Seychelles. Cancellations within 48 hours may incur a small fee, depending on the rental period.
Car rental prices on Praslin start from EUR 45 per day for a small automatic car such as the Hyundai i10 or Kia Picanto. Larger vehicles such as the Hyundai Creta compact SUV start from EUR 62 per day, and the Toyota RAV4 SUV from EUR 78 per day. All prices include full insurance, unlimited mileage, and free delivery to Praslin Island Airport or your hotel. The longer you rent, the better the daily rate. Prices may vary by season - high season runs from May to September and December to January.
4Drive Praslin accepts VISA and Mastercard debit cards, as well as cash payment in EUR, USD, or Seychelles Rupees. You do not need a credit card. When you collect your car at Praslin Airport or your hotel, you pay the balance by debit card or cash. We provide a receipt and rental agreement on the spot. If paying in cash, please note that large EUR or USD notes may be difficult to break on the island, so bring smaller denominations if possible.
No, 4Drive Praslin believes in transparent pricing. The rate you see online includes full insurance, unlimited mileage, and free delivery on Praslin. There are no hidden fees for pickup at the airport or dropoff at your hotel. The only optional extras are child seats (EUR 5 per day) and additional drivers (EUR 10 per rental). Fuel is not included - you collect the car with a full tank and return it full. If you return the car with less fuel, we charge the refuelling cost at local Praslin pump prices.
No, 4Drive Praslin does not require a deposit. We do not place a hold on your debit card or ask for a cash security deposit. This is one of the main benefits of renting with us on Praslin - you simply pay the rental fee and drive away. Full insurance is included in every rental, so there is no need for a large deposit to cover potential damage. This makes budgeting for your Seychelles holiday much easier.
You can collect your 4Drive rental car at Praslin Island Airport (PRI) or have it delivered to your hotel or accommodation anywhere on Praslin. Airport pickup is the most popular option - our representative will meet you in the arrivals area with a sign bearing your name. Hotel delivery is available at no extra charge to all areas of the island, from Cote d'Or and Anse Volbert in the north to Grand Anse in the south, and from Baie Sainte Anne jetty to the Vallee de Mai entrance. Just specify your preferred location when you book.
When you land at Praslin Island Airport (PRI), collect your luggage and proceed to the arrivals area. A 4Drive representative will be waiting with a sign showing your name. They will walk you to the car park just outside the terminal, check your documents, complete the rental agreement, and hand over the keys. The whole process takes about 10 minutes. Praslin Airport is small and friendly, so you will find us easily. From the airport you are just 10 minutes from Cote d'Or beach and 15 minutes from Baie Sainte Anne ferry jetty.
Yes, 4Drive Praslin offers flexible dropoff times. If your flight departs early in the morning or late at night, we can arrange after-hours return at Praslin Airport. Simply park the car in the designated area, lock it, and drop the keys in our secure key box. We will inspect the vehicle after you leave. Please inform us in advance if you need an out-of-hours return so we can make arrangements. There is no extra charge for this service.
4Drive Praslin vehicles are intended for use on Praslin Island only. One-way rentals to Mahe or La Digue are not available because taking a car on the inter-island ferry is expensive and impractical. If you plan to visit La Digue, you can park your car at Baie Sainte Anne jetty and take the passenger ferry (15 minutes). La Digue is a small island where most people use bicycles. If you need a car on Mahe, we recommend booking a separate rental there through our partners.
Every 4Drive Praslin rental includes full insurance with Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) and Third Party Liability. This means you are covered for damage to the rental vehicle and for damage or injury to other people or property in case of an accident. There is no excess to pay if you have an accident while following the terms of the rental agreement. Personal accident insurance for the driver and passengers is also included. You do not need to purchase additional insurance - it is all included in the daily rate.
Yes, you are covered when driving on all public roads on Praslin Island, including the steep cross-island road to Anse Lazio and Vallee de Mai. However, you must not drive off-road or on private tracks without permission. The road to Anse Georgette passes through the grounds of Constance Lemuria resort - you need to register at the gate. Damage caused by reckless driving, speeding, or driving under the influence of alcohol is not covered. Always drive carefully on Praslin's winding and hilly roads.
In case of an accident, stop immediately and check if anyone is injured. Call the Seychelles police (tel: 999) and then contact 4Drive Praslin using the emergency number on your rental agreement. Do not leave the scene until the police arrive. Take photos of any damage and exchange details with the other driver if applicable. For breakdowns, call our 24-hour assistance line and we will send help or bring you a replacement vehicle. Praslin is a small island, so response times are quick. Do not attempt repairs yourself.
In Praslin and throughout the Seychelles you drive on the LEFT-hand side of the road, following British colonial tradition. The driver sits on the right side of the car. If you are used to driving on the right (as in Europe or the USA), take extra care at junctions and roundabouts. There are very few roundabouts on Praslin, but when you encounter one, you go clockwise. Most of our rental cars have automatic transmission, which makes adapting to left-hand driving easier.
Speed limits on Praslin are 40 km/h in villages and built-up areas such as Baie Sainte Anne, Grand Anse, and Anse Volbert, and up to 65 km/h on open stretches of the coastal road. On the steep cross-island road over the hill to Vallee de Mai and Anse Lazio, drive slowly - there are sharp bends, limited visibility, and sometimes pedestrians or cyclists. Police do enforce speed limits, and fines are issued on the spot. Always drive at a speed that is safe for the conditions.
Driving on Praslin is straightforward for most people. The island is small - about 38 square kilometres - and there is essentially one main road that runs around the coast, plus the cross-island road to the north-west. You cannot get seriously lost. However, the roads are narrow, winding, and hilly in places, and you must drive on the left. Take your time, especially on the hill sections. There is little traffic compared to Mahe. Most tourists find it a relaxing and enjoyable way to explore Praslin at their own pace. A small automatic car is ideal.
There are two main petrol stations on Praslin - one at Grand Anse on the south coast and one at Baie Sainte Anne on the east coast. Both sell unleaded petrol and diesel. They accept cash (Seychelles Rupees, EUR, USD) and cards. Fuel prices in the Seychelles are similar to Europe. Fill up every few days - although Praslin is small, you will be surprised how much you drive exploring Anse Lazio, Vallee de Mai, and all the beaches. Return your car with a full tank to avoid refuelling charges.
Technically yes, but it is not practical or cost-effective. The inter-island ferries charge a high fee to transport vehicles, and space is limited. Most tourists park their rental car at Baie Sainte Anne jetty and take the passenger ferry to La Digue (15 minutes), where bicycles are the main form of transport. For Mahe, the ferry takes about one hour and again it is easier to travel as a foot passenger and rent a separate car on Mahe if needed. 4Drive Praslin vehicles are best used for exploring Praslin Island itself.
4Drive Praslin offers a range of vehicles to suit all needs. Our most popular cars are the Hyundai i10 and Kia Picanto (small automatics, perfect for couples), the Hyundai Creta (compact SUV for families), the Suzuki Jimny (fun small 4x4 with open sides), and the Toyota RAV4 (large SUV for groups). All cars are automatic except the Jimny, which is manual. All are air-conditioned, well-maintained, and ideal for the short distances and hilly terrain on Praslin. We recommend a small car for easy parking at Anse Lazio and the beaches.
Yes, 4Drive Praslin provides child seats and booster seats for EUR 5 per day. We have infant seats (0-12 months), toddler seats (1-4 years), and booster seats (4-12 years). Child seats are mandatory in the Seychelles for children under a certain age and weight. Please request a child seat when you make your booking so we can have it fitted and ready when you collect your car. We check and clean all seats regularly to ensure safety and hygiene.
Yes, you can add an additional driver to your rental for EUR 10 for the entire rental period. The additional driver must meet the same requirements as the main driver - minimum age 21, valid driving licence, and passport. Both drivers must be present at pickup to complete the paperwork. Adding a second driver is useful on Praslin because it allows you to share the driving on the hilly cross-island road and makes longer trips to Anse Lazio and around the coast more comfortable.
Yes, all 4Drive Praslin vehicles are equipped with air conditioning. Praslin has a tropical climate with daytime temperatures around 27-32 degrees Celsius year-round, so air conditioning is essential for comfort. The Suzuki Jimny has open sides and a soft top for an authentic island driving experience, but it also has air conditioning for when you want to close the windows. All vehicles are serviced regularly to ensure the AC works efficiently.
The top attractions on Praslin that are best reached by car include Anse Lazio (world-famous beach on the north-west coast, about 20 minutes from the airport), Vallee de Mai (UNESCO World Heritage palm forest, home of the coco de mer nut, in the centre of the island), Anse Georgette (secluded beach accessed via Constance Lemuria resort), Cote d'Or / Anse Volbert (main resort beach with calm water), Grand Anse (long southern beach popular for kitesurfing), and Baie Sainte Anne (main village and ferry port). You can drive from one end of Praslin to the other in about 30 minutes, so it is easy to visit multiple spots in a day.
You can drive from one end of Praslin to the other in approximately 30 minutes without stops. The island is roughly 10 km long and 4 km wide. However, with stops at beaches, Vallee de Mai, and viewpoints, a leisurely tour takes half a day or a full day. The cross-island road over the hill to Anse Lazio is steep and winding, so budget extra time. There is no rush on Praslin - part of the charm is stopping to enjoy the views, have a swim, or grab a Creole lunch at a local takeaway.
No, you do not need a 4x4 or SUV for Praslin. All public roads on the island are paved, including the steep cross-island road to Vallee de Mai and Anse Lazio. A small car such as the Hyundai i10 or Kia Picanto is perfectly adequate and easier to park at the beaches. However, an SUV such as the Hyundai Creta or Toyota RAV4 gives you more space for luggage and passengers, and slightly higher ground clearance on speed bumps. The Suzuki Jimny 4x4 is a fun choice if you want an open-air island experience, but it is not necessary for normal driving.
You can drive to Baie Sainte Anne jetty and park your car securely in the public car park, then take the passenger ferry to La Digue. The ferry runs multiple times per day and takes about 15 minutes. La Digue is a small, flat island where cars are rare - most people hire bicycles or use ox-carts. The famous Anse Source d'Argent beach is a short bike ride from the jetty at La Passe. We recommend leaving your car on Praslin and enjoying La Digue by bike - it is part of the authentic experience.
If you did not find the answer you were looking for, please contact the 4Drive Praslin team. We are here to help you plan your car rental and make the most of your holiday on Praslin Island.