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Travel - Internal
AIR: Most of Madagascar can be reached by air (there are more than 200 airfields), the exceptions being a few towns in the central highlands. Air Madagascar flies to 51 towns and localities in the island and they offer an ‘Air Tourist Pass’ which allows unlimited travel for certain periods.
SEA/RIVER/CANAL: Madagascar has a strong maritime tradition and there are many coastal transport services. Rapids render many of the rivers unnavigable; local tour operators can organise small-boat safaris on the Betsiboka and the Tsiribihina. The Pangalanes Canal runs for almost 600km (370 miles) along the east coast. Much of it is currently too clogged with silt for commercial traffic; the Tourist Board can arrange sailing holidays.
RAIL: The only regular passenger rail service runs from Antanarivo to Moramanga and Lake Alaotra. Services leave every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, returning on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. The Fianarantsoa-Manakara line passes through spectacular rainforests but is not yet completely finished. First-class carriages are air-conditioned. Light refreshments are sometimes available. The rail service is intermittent in that trains arrive on one day and return on the following day. Children under four years old travel free. Children aged four to six years old pay half fare.
ROAD: The road network is in need of repair. Tarred roads of varying quality link the main towns in the central highlands and continue to the most populous parts of the east and northwest coasts. There are three main routes, from Antananarivo to Mahajanga (RN4), to Toamasina (RN2) and to Tuléar (RN7). There are isolated sections of tarred road elsewhere, but dirt tracks are more common. Many roads are impassable in the rainy season (November to March). In 1988, the World Bank approved a US$140-million loan to rehabilitate the network. Traffic drives on the right. Bus: A flat fare is charged, irrespective of the distance travelled. Services can be unreliable and buses tend to be crowded. Taxi: Flat fares apply except in Antananarivo and Fianarantsoa, where fare is calculated according to whether the ride is confined to the ‘lower town’ or goes on to the ‘upper town’. There are two types of taxi: the Taxi-be, which is quick and comfortable, and the Taxi-brousse (bush taxi), which is cheaper, slower, makes more stops and generally operates on cross-country routes. Fares should be agreed in advance and tipping is unnecessary. Rickshaw: The pousse-pousse (rickshaw) takes passengers except where traffic or gradient makes it impractical. Prices are not controlled and vary according to distance. Stagecoach: A few covered wagons continue to take passengers in Antananarivo. Car hire: This is not widespread and car-hire agencies can only be found in the main tourist towns. It is advisable to make enquiries in advance about insurance requirements for car hire. Motorbike hire: Available from several companies in Madagascar. Documentation: A national driving licence is sufficient.
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