The cheapest way to fly from North America to Madagascar is generally via Paris. It may work out cheaper to get separate tickets – one from North America to Europe, and then a second ticket from Europe to Madagascar.

Another option is to fly from Atlanta or New York to Johannesburg, with a connection to Antananarivo. In the USA, the main travel agency specialising in Madagascar is Cortez Travel & Expeditions (800-854 1029; www.air-mad.com. It has information on good-value airfares and can book Air Madagascar flights. The following companies might also be able to help:

Cheap tickets: www.cheaptickets.com .A good source of online fares.

Flight Centre Canada (1 888 967 5355; www.flight centre.ca;

USA (1866 WORLD 51; www.flightcentre.us Contact it directly for fares.

STA Travel (800 329 9537; www.statravel.com. Good deals to Paris .

ASIA

For travellers from the east Air Madagascar has recently introduced a direct route from Antananarivo to Bangkok. Air Mauritius has flights several times weekly from Singapore and Hong Kong to Mauritius, and South African Airlines flies regularly to Johannesburg from both cities.
Madagascar is well connected with the Indian Ocean islands of Mauritius and Réunion, and reasonably accessible from mainland Africa. There are regular connections from Mauritius on Air Austral to Antananarivo and from Johannesburg you can also connect with Air Madagascar or South Africa Airlink flight to Antananarivo.
It’s also easy to get flights on Kenya Airways from Hong Kong to Nairobi, from where you can connect to Madagascar.

The following airlines fly to and from Madagascar:
Air Austral (UU; 22 359 90; www.airaustral.com, in French) Hub Saint-Dénis, Réunion. Flies in conjunction with Air Mauritius.

Air France (AF; 23 230 23; www.airfrance.com .Hub Paris Charles de Gaulle.

Air Madagascar (MD; 22 222 22; www.airmadagascar.mg. Hub Antananarivo.

Air Mauritius (MK; 22 359 90; www.airmauritius.com.Hub  Maurice.

Corsair (SS; 22 633 36; www.corsair.fr, in French) .Hub Paris Orly.

Interair (D6; 22 224 06; www.interair.co.za. Hub Johannesburg.

AUSTRALIA & ZEALAND

There are no direct flights between Australia and Madagascar; the shortest (and often cheapest) route is to travel via Mauritius. Air Mauritius has weekly flights connecting to both Melbourne and Perth. From Mauritius there are regular connections on Air Austral to Antananarivo.

Alternatively, Qantas and South African Airways both have flights connecting Sydney with Johannesburg. From Johannesburg, you can connect with an Air Madagascar or South Africa Airlink flight to Antananarivo. Try these agencies:

Flight Centre Australia 133 133; www.flightcentre.com.au;

New Zealand 0800 233 544; www.flightcentre.co.nz

STA Travel Australia (1300 733 035; www.statravel.com.au;

New Zealand (0508 782 872; www.statravel.co.nz

SHIP
It’s possible to travel to and from Madagascar by boat, but you will need plenty of time and determination. Travel is likely to be on cargo ships – unless you find a ride on a yacht as a crew member – so sleeping and eating conditions, combined with sometimes turbulent seas, can make it a rough trip.

Mombasa (Kenya) and the island of Zanzibar (Tanzania) are the main places to look for cargo boats to Madagascar. It’s also sometimes possible to find passage on a yacht heading from South Africa, Reunion or Mauritius to Madagascar. The only regular link is from Toamasina on the east coast and Mauritius via Reunion

GET AROUND.

BY AIR

Air Madagascar serves numerous destinations throughout the country, which is a good thing considering the bad state of the roads. Besides the big cities, lots of little hamlets are also served, although flights do not depart daily for most locations.

Air Madagascar flights are frequently full so it is always worth booking as far in advance as possible. It is advisable to check the status of your flight in advance, as timetable changes can occur at fairly short notice.

Passengers who arrive in Madagascar on a long-haul flight from Air Madagascar can benefit from reductions in the range of 25% on the company's internal flights.
Web sites: www.airmadagascar.com

BY BOAT
Madagascar has a strong maritime tradition and there are many coastal transport services. Rapids render many of the rivers un-navigable; local tour operators can organise small-boat safaris on the Betsiboka and the Tsiribihina. The Pangalanes Canal runs for almost 600km (370 miles) along the east coast. Much of it is currently too clogged with silt for commercial traffic; the tourist board can arrange sailing holidays

BY TRAIN
The Malagasy railway network dates back to the colonial period and breakdowns are frequent due to poor maintenance and a line may be closed for several weeks.
The train is not the fastest and most comfortable means of travel, but it lets you admire the magnificent landscapes (especially on the line connecting Fianarantsoa to Manakara and discover the Malagasy fruits and dishes offered at every stop. You can taste what is in season at little cost: crayfish, bananas, cinnamon apples, sambos, zebu sausages, oranges...

WEEKLY TRAIN SCHEDULE
From Fianarantsoa to Manakara (7:00 am departure) : Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday
From Manakara to Fianarantsoa (6:45 am departure) : Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Sunday
Length of trip : 8 to 12 hours, depending on the freight to be loaded at each station and other unforeseen factors.
Since the FCE is changing the schedule and adding trains as the locomotives are rehabilitated and improvements in service become possible, please check at the train station for the latest information.


OPTION FOR TOURISTS
There are several interesting options for travellers who want to take the FCE train:

• Take the train round trip from Fianarantsoa and spend some time in the coastal town of Manakara
• Take the train from Fianar to Manakara and then return to Fianarantsoa by road with a stop on the way back at Ranomafana National Park.
• Combine your train trip with a hiking or canoe expedition to explore the sites along the line.
  

THE MICHELINE
The Micheline is available for charter by groups between Fianarantsoa and Sahambavy (20 kms) with the possibility of spending the night in Sahambavy or returning to Fianarantsoa the same day or from Antananarivo to Toamasina. This historic train runs only on prior reservation (at least one month in advance) and the price is worthwhile only if all 18 seats are full.

BY ROAD
This is the only inexpensive way to get around, but Madagascar's roads are almost all of very low grade (with the exception of 2 routes leading out of Antananarivo. Many roads are studded with potholes and are quagmires in the rainy season. Be warned that travel by road will almost always take much more time than you would normally expect. Hire of a 4WD vehicle can solve this problem but the costs will be high.

Bus: A flat fare is charged, irrespective of the distance travelled. There are intra-muros (what’s that?) and suburban bus lines, but services can be unreliable and buses tend to be crowded.

Taxi: Flat fares apply except in Antananarivo and Fianarantsoa, where fare is calculated according to whether the ride is confined to the ‘lower town’ or goes on to the ‘upper town’. There are two types of taxi: the taxi-ville, which is quick and comfortable, and the taxi-brousse (bush taxi), which is cheaper, slower, makes more stops and generally operates on cross-country routes. Fares should be agreed in advance and tipping is unnecessary.

Rickshaw: The pousse-pousse (rickshaw) takes passengers except where traffic or gradient renders it impractical. Prices are not controlled and vary according to distance.

Stagecoach: A few covered wagons continue to take passengers in Antananarivo.

Car hire: This is not widespread and car hire agencies can only be found in the main tourist towns. It is advisable to make enquiries in advance about insurance requirements for car hire.

Motorbike: Madagascar is a great place to tour by bike and staying in small towns and villages along the way gives a real sense of what the country is all about. A mountain bike or heavy duty toured at least is required as the roads can be in poor to terrible condition. In rainy season on the East coast the main north-south road can become impassable, possibly leading to a two day walk - over soft sand in one section - this is not a road easy to ride. Generally there is little to no traffic which makes cruising around a great pleasure. The people are amazingly friendly and you'll be greeted with crowds of children shouting 'Vazaha' in every village. There are little or no facilities for cyclists, so be prepared to camp rough (ask if it is somebody's land and never too near a family grave) or sleep in very basic guesthouses. Likely you will be invited to stay in people's houses. Bring a spare tire, puncture kit, chain, brake/gear cable, derailleur and all the tools you need.


Documentation: A national driving license is sufficient.