Getting Your Bearings
Port Louis is the capital and most populous city of Mauritius, and it serves as the country's financial and political centre. The city sprawls widely, but the main attractions that most visitors come to see are clustered close enough together to be covered on foot. That said, the city draws a daily influx of workers heading to its business and government offices, so daytime traffic can be heavy and parking is a challenge. Planning around those peaks will make your visit much smoother.
Getting Around on Foot
Walking is a genuinely practical way to see central Port Louis. The main attractions sit within walking distance of one another, so you can string together a good day of sightseeing without needing a vehicle. Bear in mind that most streets are laid out in rectangular grids and many are one-way, which can make navigation slightly confusing at first. The roads themselves are generally in good shape, but many streets are fairly narrow, as you would expect in a historic colonial town. Expect crowds of pedestrians and heavy traffic in the busiest parts of the centre.
Metro Express Light Rail
Port Louis has a small light rail network called Metro Express, which connects the city with its suburbs. It operates daily from 6 AM to 10 PM, with trains running at intervals of mostly 12 to 15 minutes. For visitors staying outside the centre, this is a straightforward way to reach the city without dealing with traffic or parking.
Buses and Public Transport
Port Louis is served by two major bus stations, and which one you use depends on where you are coming from:
- Immigration Square (also known as Gare du Nord), northeast of the central market, is the terminus for buses coming from the northern districts of Pamplemousses and Rivière du Rempart, and for services to and from northern and eastern towns such as Trou aux Biches, Grand Baie and Pamplemousses.
- Victoria Station, in the south of the city, handles buses to and from the eastern and southern areas and the Plaines Wilhems district, including towns such as Mahébourg, Curepipe and Quatre Bornes.
A number of inter-city buses also carry passengers to and from nearby suburbs such as Plaine Verte, Vallée-des-Prêtres, Pailles, Plaine Lauzun and Cité Vallijee, with some stops elsewhere in Port Louis. There aren't really any published schedules, but buses depart and arrive quite frequently, and you will rarely wait more than 15 to 20 minutes. As a rule, the first buses depart around 6 AM and the last around 6 PM, though city buses run until 8 PM. Intercity fares are modest, with express buses and air-conditioned buses costing more than standard services.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Taxis are readily available for short hops around the city, and rides within Port Louis are inexpensive, costing a little more at night. The main practical advice is to avoid taxis during the morning and afternoon rush hours, when congestion makes car travel slow and frustrating.
Driving and Parking
Driving is not the best way to get around Port Louis itself, as traffic can be a little chaotic. If you arrive by car from elsewhere, park it at the marina or at your hotel rather than trying to circulate through the centre. Street-side parking is allowed for a maximum of two hours.
Renting a car can, however, be a good idea for trips to other parts of Mauritius. Car rental in Port Louis is a straightforward process, with many international companies such as Hertz and Europcar available in the capital.
Reaching the City from the Airport
Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport, usually just called the International Airport, sits just southwest of Mahébourg and is the main point of entry to Mauritius, with flights from major airports in Europe, eastern and southern Africa, the Middle East, and South, East and Southeast Asia. From there you have three options for reaching Port Louis:
- Rental car — drive north-west and follow the signs for "Port-Louis". The airport is on the opposite side of the island from the capital, so allow roughly two hours for the drive.
- Taxi — a direct taxi transfer into the city.
- Bus — route 198 connects the airport with Port Louis.
Arriving by Boat
The harbour is mostly used for freight, but ships of the Mauritius Shipping Corporation do take passengers from Madagascar and Réunion, so it is worth knowing about if you are approaching the island by sea.