Enemy number one: traffic jams
If you remember just one thing: Saint-Denis gets jammed, morning and evening. Avoid entering or leaving the main town around 7–8:30am and 4–6pm, or you'll be admiring the Barachois at a crawl. Luckily, two routes save the day: the New Coastal Road (between Saint-Denis and La Possession) and the route des Tamarins, the dual carriageway running along the West. On those stretches, it flows; elsewhere, ease off. For getting around town, a city car stays the handiest — see also our vehicles in Saint-Denis.
Highland roads: take your time
This is where many visitors tense up — wrongly, once you know the rules. The Cilaos road and its hundreds of bends, with its single-lane tunnels, is driven calmly: you anticipate, give a quick toot before blind hairpins, and let the hurried locals past (they know it by heart). Same logic to climb the Maïdo or reach the Volcano: these aren't races. A vehicle with a bit of pick-up changes everything on the climbs — hence the appeal of an SUV or 4x4 if your plans head uphill.
Shifting weather (and the Volcano trap)
Réunion is several climates on one island: the East is often rainy and lush, the West dry and sunny. At the wheel, that means you can “chase the sun” — but also that you should expect anything in the highlands. The sea of clouds invades the Maïdo by late morning (leave early!), and the Piton de la Fournaise road can even close in bad weather. Up there it's cool and visibility drops fast: pack a light jumper and drive carefully in the fog.
Fuel, parking, and the good news
- Fill up before heading up: petrol stations are few and far between in the highlands.
- No toll roads in Réunion — that one's a gift.
- Parking near the western beaches (Ermitage, Boucan Canot) fills up fast at weekends: arrive early.
- Fuel is price-regulated, but consumption climbs with the hills: build it into your budget.
Getting into the local rhythm
One last tip, the most important: patience and composure. There are roundabouts everywhere, two-wheelers slipping through, and sometimes slightly lively driving. Nothing nasty — anticipate, stay courteous, and all goes well. And if you're still unsure which vehicle to choose, we help you in our guide Which vehicle should you rent to visit Réunion?. When you're ready, compare vetted local agency offers on Tropiloc.