Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
rate but you can haggle), although outside the airport perimeter you can find taxis willing
to take you for 20,000Ar. The trip can take up to an hour, although 20 minutes is possible
when the roads are clear (late evenings and Sundays). Experienced travellers can take the
local bus for a fraction of the price. It stops at the road junction about 100m from the air-
port, costs 600Ar, and you can pay for an extra seat for your luggage.
GETTING THERE AND AWAY BY ROAD
The
garesroutières
(busstations)fornational
taxi-brousses
aresitedontheoutskirtsofthe
cityandshouldcostabout5,000Artoreachbytaxifromthecentre.Althoughthereissome
overlap of destinations served by each station, the main three are
Ampasampito,
4km east
of the centre, the starting point for trips east (Moramanga and Toamasina);
Ambodivona,
justnorthofAndravoahangycraftmarket,whereyouwillfindservicesheadingnorth(Ma-
hajanga and Antsiranana) and also some east; and
Fasan'ny Karana
on RN4, 1km west
of its junction with RN7, which serves the south of the country (Fianarantsoa and Toliara)
and the west.
WARNING!
Numerous travellers have reported being cheated at
Fasan'ny Karana
station; so be on your guard against overcharging. A favourite scam is for them to draw
yourattentiontoMalagasysmallprintonyourticketthatsays'
nyzaza5taona..
.',explain-
ing that this means there is a €5 fee for bags, or there is a 5kg luggage limit. In reality the
text states that kids under 5 travel free! This station is also notorious for sellers lying to
customers (Malagasy and
vazaha
alike) about expected departure times and the number of
empty seats remaining.
GETTING AROUND
Traffic jams and pollution are major problems in Tana. Traffic is often gridlocked on the
narrow, hilly streets so it makes sense to avoid vehicular transport when possible. Get to
know the city on foot during the day (but carry nothing of value); use taxis for long dis-
tances, unknown destinations and always at night.
Taxis
are easily recognised by their cream colour. Tough bargainers will pay no more
than 4,000Ar for a short trip but most
vazaha
end up paying around 5,000Ar. Prices are
higher after dark. Taxis do not have meters so agree the price before you get in. The tax-
