Getting to Madagascar might not be the cheapest part of your adventure, but once you’re there, you’ll find that travelling around is surprisingly affordable. Park entrance fees are low, and hotels offer great value for money, with plenty of budget and mid-range options to choose from.
In this article, we break down the average costs for accommodation, food, and drinks, so you can plan your daily budget with confidence. Ready to dive in? Let’s get started!
Madagascar is very much a cash economy. A smart way to manage your money safely while travelling here is to use mobile money – it works much like a banking app you’re used to back home.
Here’s how it works:
When you buy a local SIM card and load it with airtime and an internet bundle, you can activate mobile money in your settings. Once set up, you can load cash onto your phone at any Telecom kiosk, which are easy to find across the country.
You can then pay for things like restaurant bills directly from your phone – super handy and safe, especially in emergencies. (We've seen clients travelling the West Coast who ran out of cash because there were no ATMs nearby – Peter, our local manager, could then send money straight to their phone.)
To summarise:
We strongly recommend bringing sufficient euros in cash and, upon arrival, loading them onto your mobile money account.
ATM withdrawals
You can also withdraw money with a Visa card at ATMs across Madagascar. Mastercard users face more limitations – only BFV, BNI, and MCB banks accept Mastercard, and very few hotels do.
Pro tips for ATM withdrawals:
Getting to Madagascar can be expensive, but once you’re here, life is good – or as they say, you’ll be living "like God in France." A daily budget of €100–200 per couple, on top of your car hire, will cover most travellers comfortably – including fuel, park entrance fees, accommodation, and food & drinks.
Accommodation
Staying in Madagascar is refreshingly affordable compared to East Africa, Europe, or the USA. You’ll find lots of small, owner-run lodges with great character and good standards. Here’s what to expect for a double room:
Food & tips
Eating out in Madagascar is cheap and seriously tasty. At lodges, a three-course dinner will cost around €15–20 per person. Tipping is part of the culture here too – a 10% tip is seen as generous and is always warmly appreciated. Most places share tips equally among all staff, so if you’re happy with the service, feel free to give a little extra.
Fuel prices
Fuel costs fluctuate. For the latest prices, we recommend doing a quick Google check before setting off.
Park fees
For detailed entrance fees per park, check our Madagascar National Parks page.
