Comoros — Travel Tips
Social Conventions
Religious 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 no consumption of alcohol in public places and modest dress in public.
International Travel
Getting There By Air
Airlines operating to the Comoros include Air Austral, Air Madagascar, Air Tanzania Corporation, Sudan Airlines and Yemenia Yemen Airways. Air France operates regularly from Paris via Réunion.
Departure Tax
None.
Main Airports
Moroni International Prince Said Ibrahim (HAH), 25km (16 miles) north of the city. To/from the airport: Taxis are available to the town (journey 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.
Getting There By Water
There 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.
Duty Free
Overview
The following goods may be imported into the Comoros 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 Imports
Plants or soil, except on presentation of an import permit issued from the Comoros Agriculture Department, together with a phytosanitary certificate of the place of origin.
Internal Travel
Getting Around By Air
Each island has an airfield and there are services between the islands in the region.
Getting Around By Water
The 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.
Getting Around By Road
Traffic drives on the right. Bush taxis (taxis-brousses), hired vehicles or private cars are the only forms of transport on the islands. 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.
