How to get to Madagascar?
Madagascar is an island, and if you do not want to spend weeks on a cargo vessel, you have to fly in. An increasing number of airlines is flying to Madagascar, witch has caused the prices to drop significantly over the last years. We have collected a list of airlines flying to Madagascar here.
The main airport is Ivato, located about one hour (depending on traffic) outside our capital Antananarivo. Most international travelers will set their first step on Malagasy soil just here. Recently, the airport was put under new administration, making it very easy to get through passport controls, baggage claims and customs.
A few tips for a pleasant arrival and departures:
Choose good arrival times
Arriving in Antananarivo in daytime, is so much better than arriving at night. Air France probably have the worst times of them all, and I avoid them mainly for their arrival and departure times.
My favorite airline to Europe or America is Ethiopian Airlines, and to Asia, Air Austral.
Get quick out of the plane
Fill in your arrival cards inside the plane and get quick out of the plane to proceed to immigration. Getting in line late, will mean hours extra in line.
How to deal with the porters and “airport staff”
It is their livelihood, and they will not accept a simple “no, thank you” if you want to carry your luggage yourself. If you speak french, problem solved, but if not, this works very well along with a smile: “aaaAAA, fa misotra tompoko” , meaning “no, but thank you” (with respect). If you let them carry, do not let them fool you into paying too much. A couple of euros or dollars is more than enough. If we are picking you up at the airport, we will take care of them correctly.
It can be the same hazzle on departure with “airport staff” pretending to have to fill out certain forms for you for a ridiculous amount of money. For these people I am never polite, and I always let them know what I feel about this behavior, and I think you should too. “Ratsy be anao ” meaning “very bad you” will put them off. No one will ask for your passport except in the check-in counter or the passport control, so do not give it away in the departure hall.
If the line for checking in is long, the porters can be your friend. For 20 or 30.000 mga, you will skip the line. Just be direct, and say that you want to skip the line, and they will give you their price.
Transportation to the city
If you are on a tour with WAU, usually pickup is included, and your guide or trip tailor will great you and bring you to your hotel. If you are arriving with no tour operator managing your tour, you should arrange pickup in advance to your hotel, especially if you arrive at night. If you haven't arranged it, choose the white taxis on the right after the departure hall. To the city it should be no more than 50.000 ariary. It is also a shuttle bus going to the city during daytime.
Well arrived in Madagascar, you are about to start an incredible adventure, meeting smiling people everywhere. Enjoy !
