Title – Transport Options
Date – August 2003
Location - Toliara - Madagascar
The Transport Options in Madagascar are varied and can be a little daunting considering the distances involved and the state of the roads. Be it a local public bus, a mini bus or a rickshaw, you will have to negotiate your fare and take your chance.
The rickshaw can be the best method over short distances and although the runners generally know where they are going, communicating where you want to go, is another matter.
The public busses are slow and it sometimes seems to be a rule that every passenger has to take five times their own body weight in luggage. Another reason to consider is that the most direct route often seems to be avoided at all costs.
The minibus often seems to be the best option, if the slightly more expensive one. They tend to go the most direct route and at the fastest speed that the age of the vehicle and the road conditions will allow. The added bonus is that they seem to be able to fit 22 people into a 15 seater, so you have little choice but to make friends and you certainly get to interact with the locals. You will often be offered the best seat in the back, as you are probably paying several times more then everyone else, but don’t be shocked if that privilege comes at the price of having a small child thrust into your arms.
The choices you make will define your trip and experiences. At Beyond The Blue we want to help you make the right choices throughout your trip and by attending our Gap Year and Independent Travel Safety & Awareness workshop you will get the information, tips and confidence make them positive.
Please visit our website at www.safegapyear.com
Image – ©Peter Mayhew
Date – August 2003
Location - Toliara - Madagascar
The Transport Options in Madagascar are varied and can be a little daunting considering the distances involved and the state of the roads. Be it a local public bus, a mini bus or a rickshaw, you will have to negotiate your fare and take your chance.
The rickshaw can be the best method over short distances and although the runners generally know where they are going, communicating where you want to go, is another matter.
The public busses are slow and it sometimes seems to be a rule that every passenger has to take five times their own body weight in luggage. Another reason to consider is that the most direct route often seems to be avoided at all costs.
The minibus often seems to be the best option, if the slightly more expensive one. They tend to go the most direct route and at the fastest speed that the age of the vehicle and the road conditions will allow. The added bonus is that they seem to be able to fit 22 people into a 15 seater, so you have little choice but to make friends and you certainly get to interact with the locals. You will often be offered the best seat in the back, as you are probably paying several times more then everyone else, but don’t be shocked if that privilege comes at the price of having a small child thrust into your arms.
The choices you make will define your trip and experiences. At Beyond The Blue we want to help you make the right choices throughout your trip and by attending our Gap Year and Independent Travel Safety & Awareness workshop you will get the information, tips and confidence make them positive.
Please visit our website at www.safegapyear.com
Image – ©Peter Mayhew
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