Social ConventionsReligious customs associated with Islam should be respected. Although Comorans are tolerant towards other cultures (for instance, alcohol is not banned and is available in hotels and restaurants), they expect moderate behavior from non Muslim visitors, such as non consumption of alcohol in public places and modest dress in public.
International Travel:AirAirlines operating to the Comoros Islands include
Air Austral,
Air Madagascar,
Air Tanzania Corporation,
Sudan Airlines and
Yemenia Yemen Airways.
Air France operates regularly
from Paris via Réunion.
Approximate flight timesTo Moroni from
London takes a minimum of 20 hours; this includes stopovers (usually in Paris and Réunion).
Main airportsMoroni International Prince Said Ibrahim (HAH), 25km (16 miles) north of the city.
To/from the airport: Taxis are available to the town (travel time – 30 minutes). Taxis do not have meters but prices are fixed. Make sure you know the price before boarding the taxi.
Facilities: Bars and light refreshments, left luggage and a post office are available for international flights. There are no money-changing facilities at the airport.
Departure taxNone.
SeaThere are irregular sailings from East Africa (Mombasa, Kenya), Madagascar, Mauritius, Réunion or Zanzibar to Moroni or Mutsamudu. These are mostly cargo ships which might carry passengers.
The following goods may be imported into the Comoro Islands by persons 18 years of age and over without incurring customs duty:
400 cigarettes or 100 cigars or 500g of tobacco;
one bottle of alcoholic beverage;
one bottle of perfume.
Prohibited itemsPlants or soil, except on presentation of an import permit issued from the Comoro Islands' Agriculture Department, together with a phytosanitary certificate of the place of origin.
Internal Travel:AirEach island has an airfield and there are services between the islands in the region.
SeaThe islands are linked by regular ferry services. Travelers can hire motorboats, sailing craft and canoes in port villages and towns. A boat can be especially useful for Mwali (Mohéli) where the road system is rudimentary.
RoadBush taxis (
taxis-brousses), hired vehicles or private cars are the only forms of transport on the islands. Traffic drives on the right. All the islands have tarred roads. 4-wheel-drive vehicles are advisable for the outlying islands and in the interior, especially in the rainy season. Roads are narrow and domestic animals often roam free, so visitors should drive slowly. Share-taxis provide transport in and around towns.
Car hire: Available on Ngazidja (Grande Comore).
Documentation: An International Driving Permit is valid for up to three months.
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