Is Réunion or Seychelles cheaper?

Réunion is the cheaper of the two: roughly $65–130/day in Réunion versus $130+/day in Seychelles.

When is the best time to visit Réunion vs Seychelles?

Réunion is at its best in May–October; Seychelles peaks in March–May, October, November.

Is Réunion or Seychelles better in August?

Réunion is the better of the two in August. Réunion has the edge in June, July, August, September, Seychelles in January, February, March, April, November, December, and both are at their best in May, October.

How long do you need in Réunion vs Seychelles?

Plan 1–1 weeks for Réunion and 1–2 for Seychelles.

Should I choose Réunion or Seychelles?

Pick Réunion if you want somewhere cheaper across the board, stronger for nature, adventure, more urban / city-focused, more off-the-beaten-path. Pick Seychelles if you want somewhere stronger for beach.

Réunion vs Seychelles

Two strong destinations, different in important ways. Here's the side-by-side, then a verdict on which suits which traveler.

Indian Ocean

Réunion

The Indian Ocean’s answer to Hawaii — an active volcano, roadless canyons, and world-class hiking, on French soil.

Best time to visit

January: avoid
February: avoid
March: fine
April: fine
May: peak
June: peak
July: peak
August: peak
September: peak
October: peak
November: fine
December: avoid

Peak Fine Avoid

Indian Ocean

Seychelles

Granite-boulder beaches that look engineered, on islands built for slowing down.

Best time to visit

January: fine
February: fine
March: peak
April: peak
May: peak
June: fine
July: fine
August: fine
September: fine
October: peak
November: peak
December: fine

Peak Fine Avoid

Read our full guides about Réunion and Seychelles.

Side by side

Emphasised where they differ. Muted rows are much the same either way.

	Réunion	Seychelles
Best time	May–October	March–May, October, November
Climate	warm	warm
Budget	Mid-range · $65–130/day	Premium · $130+/day
Trip length	1–1 wks	1–2 wks
Visa	France (Schengen rules apply) — visa-free for most Western passports. Verify before travel.	No visa required; a tourist permit is issued on arrival for most passports. Verify before travel.
Currency	EUR (€).	SCR (Seychellois Rupee).
Language	French and Réunion Creole; limited English.	Creole, English, and French.
Tap water	Tap water is generally safe in populated areas.	Tap water generally safe; bottled widely used.
Safety	Very safe on land; heed shark warnings and swim only in the protected lagoon areas.	Very safe; ordinary precautions with valuables.

General guidance — visas, safety, and health change, so check your government's travel advisory and the official sources before you go.

Réunion or Seychelles, month by month

Which of the two is the better bet for each month of the year, scored on how well the season suits each place.

Which to choose

Choose Réunion if:

You want somewhere cheaper across the board.
You want somewhere stronger for nature, adventure.
You want somewhere more urban / city-focused.
You want somewhere more off-the-beaten-path.

Choose Seychelles if:

You want somewhere stronger for beach.

Common questions

Is Réunion or Seychelles cheaper?: Réunion is the cheaper of the two: roughly $65–130/day in Réunion versus $130+/day in Seychelles.
When is the best time to visit Réunion vs Seychelles?: Réunion is at its best in May–October; Seychelles peaks in March–May, October, November.
Is Réunion or Seychelles better in August?: Réunion is the better of the two in August. Réunion has the edge in June, July, August, September, Seychelles in January, February, March, April, November, December, and both are at their best in May, October.
How long do you need in Réunion vs Seychelles?: Plan 1–1 weeks for Réunion and 1–2 for Seychelles.
Should I choose Réunion or Seychelles?: Pick Réunion if you want somewhere cheaper across the board, stronger for nature, adventure, more urban / city-focused, more off-the-beaten-path. Pick Seychelles if you want somewhere stronger for beach.