Buses are an inexpensive way to get around the island and travel everywhere except from the uninhabited Plaine Champagne and Le Morne Peninsula. The main transport hubs are Port Louis in the north, Curepipe and Quatre Bornes on the central plateau, Flacq in the east and Mahébourg in the south. Buses typically run from 5:30am to 8pm in urban areas and 6:30am to 6.30pm in the countryside, with the occasional later service. Most destinations aren’t on direct routes, so travel can be time-consuming. Choose express buses over standard ones as these have air conditioning and travel much faster.

There are only two major highways: the M1, which heads from the airport north to Grand Baie, and the new M2, which heads north from the central plateau and bypasses congested Port Louis. Otherwise roads are typically narrow, twisting around a topography of coastal inlets and mountains, or winding through congested towns and villages, often with no pavements.

Self-driving can be a great mode of transportation for flexibility of touring the island. Driving is on the left, traffic signs are in English and gas is relatively cheap. Speed limits vary from 18 miles/hr in towns to 68 mile/hr on the motorway. Although things are improving, towns and attractions are typically poorly signed and Mauritian driving is erratic, so don’t expect to get anywhere fast. Driving on the south and east coasts where roads are quieter is the most pleasant.

Open-topped jeeps, Mini Cooper convertibles and 4WDs can be rented from international car rental companies with desks at the airport and major resorts, with chauffeurs available too. Local providers tend to be 25–30 percent cheaper. Scooters and some motorbikes can be rented in tourist centers; a valid driving licence is required and you must be a minimum age of 23 to rent a car, or 18 to rent a scooter. Seatbelts must be worn. A foreign license is accepted.

Note: Gas stations can be few and far between. Make sure to fill up when you see one, or keep in mind, apart from on the motorway, most close around 7pm.

Taxis are regulated and metered by the hotel or province they are linked to, printed on a yellow panel on the drivers’ door. Outside of hotels, taxis tend to be found at shopping centers or bus stations during working hours. Despite the presence of meters in taxis, it's better to negotiate the fare before you get in – and don’t be afraid to bargain. Journeys are relatively inexpensive, depending on the distance travelled, although bear in mind that taxi drivers get commissions on top, so get suggestions of places to shop, eat or drink from independent sources.

Shared taxis operate on popular routes and depart when full. Charging little more than a bus fare, they are used on a regular basis by locals after buses have stopped in the evening. Hotel staff are a good source of information on where to find them.

Mauritius isn’t a particularly cycle-friendly destination as towns have narrow congested roads, and bikes are not allowed on buses, but short rides along the quieter coastal roads are pleasant and popular. The south and east coasts have the least traffic, and Le Morne Peninsula, with virtually none, is a cyclist’s paradise. Most hotels and resorts, some guesthouses and travel agencies in tourist areas offer bicycles for guests’ use or for rental.

Air Mauritius operates daily flights from Mauritius to Rodrigues, a small island to the east of the mainland. Flight time is about 1 hour and 30 minutes. Air Mauritius also offers helicopter transfers and sightseeing tours.