Réunion brings beaches, waterfalls, volcanic plains, and steep mountain roads into one compact island. Unlimited mileage car rental in Réunion removes added charges for each kilometre. Booking a car also gives you the freedom to link several regions during one holiday. This option suits travellers planning long drives in Réunion and scenic detours. Our guide explains routes that can maximise unlimited mileage across the island.
Plan routes that connect several landscapes instead of visiting only nearby towns. These 12 drives use every included kilometre across coasts, highlands, cirques, and volcanic areas.
Start in Saint-Paul and drive towards Boucan Canot, Saint-Gilles-les-Bains, and L’Ermitage Lagoon. The route covers around 15 kilometres and usually takes under 30 minutes without long stops. You can visit coral beaches, shops, cafés, and shaded areas beneath filao trees. Unlimited mileage makes returns easy when traffic or weather changes your plans.
The lagoon has shallow water, marked swimming areas, fish, and occasional turtles. Weekend traffic can slow the route, while limits often at 90 kilometres per hour or lower. Compact cars are best for this drive, but SUVs offer more luggage space.
Drive south through Saint-Leu and visit Kélonia to learn about green and hawksbill turtles. Continue towards Le Souffleur, where rough seas force spray through volcanic rock. Étang-Salé is around 10 kilometres farther and has a black-sand beach. This short coastal route usually takes 15 to 20 minutes without stops.
Swim only inside the marked, protected area. You can visit roadside viewpoints, take short walks, or stop at the crocodile park. Unlimited mileage removes added distance charges for these detours.
Saint-Pierre has a lively waterfront, markets, and access to southern beaches. Continue towards Petite Anse, Grande Anse, Manapany-les-Bains, and Saint-Joseph. Grande Anse has pale coral sand and coconut shade. Manapany has calm lava-rock pools along the coast.
Saint-Pierre to Saint-Joseph covers around 17 kilometres and takes about 20 minutes without stops. An unlimited mileage car rental in Réunion lets you visit several beaches or continue on to Saint-Philippe.
Follow the N2 east from Saint-Joseph towards Langevin, Vincendo, Cap Méchant, and Saint-Philippe. Stop near Cascade de Langevin for a waterfall visit and nearby food. Cap Méchant has sharp black basalt cliffs formed by old lava flows. Strong waves crash below the viewpoint.
This section covers around 18 kilometres and takes about 23 minutes. Services are limited outside towns, so refuel before leaving. Unlimited mileage makes this southern detour easier to add.
Follow the N2 north from Saint-Philippe across the Route des Laves. The road crosses more than 30 kilometres of hardened flows on the Grand Brûlé plain. Sparse plants and black rock create a wide volcanic landscape unlike the greener coast.
The drive to Sainte-Rose covers around 32 kilometres and takes about 40 minutes. Visit Notre-Dame-des-Laves, which survived lava reaching its entrance. You may also spot old lava channels beside the road. Unlimited mileage supports extra stops for viewpoints, villages, or refreshments.
Travel from Sainte-Rose through Sainte-Anne and Saint-Benoît, then continue towards Bras-Panon. Sainte-Anne sits beside the ocean, while Saint-Benoît is the east coast’s main town. Bras-Panon lies around 12 kilometres farther and is known for its local vanilla traditions.
The roads pass rivers, valleys, and thick greenery. Stop at picnic areas or visit the vanilla cooperative. You can also return through smaller inland roads, including the D116.
Book a vehicle with Final Rentals for unlimited mileage and an included Collision Damage Waiver on wider island trips.
Take the D48 inland from Saint-André towards the Cirque de Salazie. The road climbs through a wet valley with waterfalls beside steep green slopes. Look for Cascade Blanche and Voile de la Mariée from safe viewpoints. Clouds and rain can reduce visibility, so drive slowly.
Continue to Hell-Bourg, known for colourful Creole houses, carved roof details, gardens, and cool mountain air. You can extend the route towards Grand Îlet. A return journey may cover 40 to 50 kilometres. Unlimited mileage car rental in Réunion removes kilometre charges from these mountain extensions.
Return to Saint-Benoît, then follow the RN3 into Plaine-des-Palmistes. The climb covers around 19 kilometres and takes about 24 minutes. This high plateau sits near 1,200 metres and has cool forests and farmland. The winding road requires extra space around bends.
Continue towards Bourg-Murat and Plaine des Cafres near the Piton des Neiges massif. Visit the volcano museum before travelling towards the southern highlands. Unlimited mileage gives you freedom to connect these inland areas.
From Bourg-Murat, follow the Route du Volcan towards Piton de la Fournaise. The road climbs more than 1,000 metres and reaches Nez de Bœuf first. Continue across Plaine des Sables, where volcanic ash and rocks form a bare moonlike setting. The final section reaches Pas de Bellecombe.
The route covers about 20 kilometres each way and includes paved and gravel sections. Stop for crater views, short walks, or refreshments. Unlimited mileage car rental in Réunion lets you explore without counting each return kilometre.
From Saint-Louis, follow the 35-kilometre RN5 into the Cirque de Cilaos. The road has around 400 bends and narrow sections beneath steep cliffs. Drive slowly and watch for approaching traffic.
Cilaos has a mountain village, thermal springs, and views towards the surrounding peaks. Continue towards Bras-Sec or Îlet à Cordes for forest scenery. These roads add several kilometres but offer quieter viewpoints. You can stay overnight before returning.
Drive from the Saint-Paul area into the highlands towards Le Maïdo. The viewpoint stands at 2,200 metres and overlooks the Cirque de Mafate and the distant ocean. Many travellers arrive early because morning skies are often clearer before clouds rise.
The climb gains around 1,200 metres and passes villages, forests, and picnic areas. Temperatures can be much cooler near the summit. Unlimited mileage supports a pre-dawn return drive and later west coast stops.
Start and finish in Saint-Denis for a full coastal circuit. Travel clockwise through the east, Wild South, Saint-Pierre, Saint-Leu, Saint-Paul, and the northern coast. A complete loop covers roughly 250 kilometres. Several overnight stops improve the trip, especially in Cilaos, the east, or the west.
To maximise unlimited mileage, plan connected routes instead of making separate return trips. Réunion’s size lets you reach distant areas within one rental period. You can revisit places when the weather improves or follow worthwhile detours. This way, you can explore more without worrying about added kilometre charges.
Rent a car in Réunion with Final Rentals to get unlimited mileage for all vehicles. Free breakdown assistance provides added support during longer island drives. The same-to-same fuel policy also gives you a clear return requirement. Book and manage your car rental at any time. Download the Final Rentals app on Google Play and the App Store.
Unlimited mileage means you can drive any distance for the rental period with no per-kilometre fees. For example, many car rentals in Réunion include insurance and let you drive all around the island for a flat rate. You pay only the daily rate, so long drives over 200 kilometres cost the same as short drives.
Plan one-way loops or multi-day circuits. For instance, drive the west coast down to the southern beaches, then return via the east coast. Or start in Saint-Denis and do the full island loop clockwise. Because the mileage is unlimited, add detours to waterfalls, cirques, or lookout points. Focus on scenery rather than distance, since you can always go back or extend your trip at no extra cost.
Yes, because Réunion has coastal roads, mountain routes, and inland attractions spread across the island. Unlimited mileage lets you combine several areas into a single rental period. You can change your route when the weather affects mountain views or beach plans.
