What is the cost of travelling in Antananarivo?

Item Cape Town Johannesburg Antananarivo Meal, inexpensive restaurant R 90.00 R 100.00 R 53.00 Domestic beer (0.5 litre draught) R 22.00 R 20.00 R 8.00 Cappuccino R 19.00 R 20.00 R 9.00 Taxi 1km (normal tariff) R 10.00 R 12.00 R 8.00 Pack of cigarettes (Marlboro) R 35.00 R 35.00 R 20.00

Cheap Flights To Antananarivo (TNR): Get Tickets

Last minute Antananarivo flight offers

Prices observed in the past 7 days start from R5969 one-way and R10889 round trip. Fares and availability may change at any time, and additional terms may apply.

One-Way

Return

Kenya Airways

30 Aug

JNB

Johannesburg

One-Way

TNR

Antananarivo

R5969

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Popular airlines to Antananarivo

Kenya Airways

South African Airways

Air Mauritius

Kenya Airways

South African Airways

Air Mauritius

Why visit Antananarivo

Historical Landmarks

Discover the ancient palace grounds and the history behind the royal monarchies that once ruled the capital city, at the sites of Ambohimanga and Rova – Le Palais de la Reine.

Exotic Wildlife

The Tsimbazaza Zoo boasts an array of exotic birds and wildlife, while a day trip to Madagascar Exotic allows you get up close to lemurs and giant chameleons.

Colourful Market Places

Spoil yourself with authentic souvenirs and hand-crafts from the central Analakely market, while a scenic drive to Andravoahangy leads you to an outdoor artisan market-place sporting rare gems and colourful fabrics.

About Antananarivo

Antananarivo, also known as Tana, is the capital and largest city of Madagascar. Its 18 Malagasy ethnic groups make up the city’s population of 1.3 million. As the political, cultural and economic heart of Madagascar, it is home to many universities, hospitals and art venues. The influences of European and Eastern colonialists are evident in its architecture and cuisine.

Cheap flights to Antananarivo are now available for a limited time only, so book your flight today and prepare to be excited and intrigued by this colourful and charismatic city! Antananarivo is home to Ivato International Airport (TNR), a 40 minute drive from the city centre. TNR serves a multitude of airlines, including Kenya Airways, South African Airways and Air Mauritius. Direct international flights to Antananarivo are available departing from Johannesburg on South African Airways. The average flight duration from Johannesburg is approximately three hours and ten minutes.

General Information

Essential details you need to know before your trip

Country

Currency

Madagascar

Malagasy Ariary

LANGUAGE

Exchange Rate

Malagasy / French

1 ZAR = 259.030 MGA

AIRLINE

TIME ZONE

Air Madagascar

GMT +03:00

HUB AIRPORT

Ivato International Airport (TNR)

Destination Review

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Weather In Antananarivo

Low

High °C

Rain-mm

Average temperature (°C) & rainfall (mm) per month

Frequently asked questions

Overview

This colonial city of Madagascar has a rustic charm that truly makes it a place of wonder and discovery. The city’s quaint buildings, characterized by red terracotta roofs, express the diverse influences of French, English, Portuguese and Arabic cultures that have infiltrated its cuisine, architecture and landscapes.

Antananarivo’s markets are a great place to see the locals in action, so set aside a good few hours to wonder around the main market area, where you’ll find some very unusual produce. Madagascan green peppercorns in brine or locally grown vanilla pods are popular souvenirs. Cafés and patisseries line the streets, so pop in and revel in the aromas of distinct French flavours.

For a taste of Madagascan wildlife, visit the Antananarivo Lemur Park, the Croc Farm and Tsimbazaza Zoo. Madagascar Exotic is a bit of a drive from central Antananarivo, but the wildlife centre has a fantastic array of exotic creatures, and is well worth the trip.

Compare several airlines, and book your cheap flights to Antananarivo online at Travelstart.

Best time to visit Antananarivo

The best time to visit Antananarivo is during the winter season, occurring between April and October. The climate is cool, dry and generally quite pleasant. The world-renowned Madajazzcar Music Festival is a highlight in October, drawing many visitors from Africa and surrounding countries. The intense summer from November to March brings strong heatwaves and hurricanes, making it an unpleasant time to go.

Visa & Customs

South African Passport holders do need a visa to visit Antananarivo. Leave plenty of time for visa processing, and make sure your passport is valid for 6 months after your return date, with 3 blank pages available for entry stamps.

The South African Embassy to Madagascar is situated in Antananarivo. Lot IVO 68 Bis Rue Ravoninahitriniarivo, Ankorondrano, 101 Antananarivo.

Phone: 261 20 224 3350

Health & Safety

As in any unfamiliar city, remain aware of your surroundings and personal belongings at all times. If you are carrying extra money, passports or jewellery it is best to leave these items in the hotel safe. Pick-pocketing is common on public transport and in crowded areas like street markets. It is always recommended to take extra copies of personal documents, kept in a separate place from the originals.

Malaria is prevalent in Madagascar so it is highly recommended to take anti-malaria medication before, during and after your trip. Chikungunya is also a mosquito-borne disease endemic to the region, so ensure you have enough insect repellent or cortisone creams should you get bitten.

Tap water is not safe to drink. Bottled water is widely available, but always ensure the seal is not broken on the cap.

Where to Stay?

The city centre is a popular area for tourists to stay in. Upmarket, European-style accommodation is available as well as mid-range hotels and group lodging. The Avenue de I’ Independence is where you’ll find luxury hotels with services like bars, conference centres, spas, pools and sport centres. Most rooms are air-conditioned with en-suite facilities.

Regardless of where you’re staying, you’ll be spoiled for choice of dining options. Many restaurants serve local Malagasy and international cuisine. You’ll find a couple of Italian, French and Pakistani restaurants around the city, though you should definitely dig into the spicy local dishes.

Getting Around

If you’re travelling from Antananarivo to other towns around the island, then the train is a great option! Trains are comfortable, cheap and very scenic as they travel through steep mountains and lush rainforests, taking in the charming hillside villages along the way.

Getting around the city is possible by taxi, although be sure to negotiate and fix the price before getting in. If you’re traveling further out of town, arrange with the driver to either wait for you or pick you up.

Hiring a car (with a driver) is great if you’re planning on doing some island exploring. Heavy duty vehicles and 4x4s are recommended as the roads are not well-maintained. An international driving licence is required if you plan on driving yourself.