Round-the-island in one day: itinerary & VTC price

210 km of coastal roads, two national highways (west RN1 + east RN2), a complete loop of Réunion Island in a single day. It''s doable, even classic, as long as you accept you won''t go deep on anything. The point: see both Réunions in one go, sugar-lagoon west, lava-waterfall east. Detailed itinerary, stops, real time and VTC price range below.

Table of contents

1. Full 210 km itinerary
2. Clockwise or counter-clockwise?
3. Stops worth a halt
4. Real time vs map time
5. Hourly VTC day price
6. FAQ

Full 210 km itinerary

Clockwise, starting Saint-Denis or west coast, evening return:

1. Saint-Denis → Saint-Paul (RN1), 30 min, cliff-edge road
2. Saint-Paul → Saint-Pierre (RN1), 1 h, Saint-Gilles lagoons, l''Hermitage, Saint-Leu, Étang-Salé
3. Saint-Pierre → Saint-Joseph (RN2), 30 min, south transition
4. Saint-Joseph → Saint-Philippe (RN2), 45 min, wild south, lava flow
5. Saint-Philippe → Sainte-Rose (RN2), 1 h, Anse des Cascades, Notre-Dame des Laves
6. Sainte-Rose → Saint-Benoît (RN2), 30 min, Bras Panon, vanilla
7. Saint-Benoît → Saint-André (RN2), 30 min, sugar + Tamil temple
8. Saint-André → Saint-Denis (RN2), 45 min, back

Total: ~210 km, 5-6 h net driving + stops.

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Clockwise or counter-clockwise?

Clockwise (south via west, back via east): you start facing the sea in the morning, sun behind you. Best for photos. You end on the wild east coast in late afternoon with soft light on the waterfalls.

Counter-clockwise (south via east): start in the shaded east, finish over the west lagoons at sunset. More magical for Indian Ocean sunsets.

Most local drivers prefer clockwise: less sun glare late in the day, faster return on the west four-lane if you''re running late.

Stops worth a halt

Numbered list of the 10 must-stops in one day:

1. Saint-Paul cemetery (tomb of La Buse, the pirate)
2. L''Hermitage / La Saline: lagoon photo
3. Saint-Leu: Stella Matutina (sugar museum) or beach
4. Étang-Salé: black volcanic sand
5. Saint-Pierre market (Saturday morning)
6. Cap Méchant: black cliffs
7. 2007 lava flow between Saint-Philippe and Sainte-Rose
8. Notre-Dame des Laves (Piton Sainte-Rose): church surrounded by 1977 lava
9. Anse des Cascades: palm grove + falls
10. Saint-André Colosse Tamil temple (exterior, respect rites during pilgrimage)

Be selective: you can''t do it all. Plan 4-5 photo stops + 1 real lunch break.

Real time vs map time

Google Maps shows ~4h30 driving. Reality:

Recommended start: 7:30 am, return: 4:30-5:00 pm. No deep museum visit, no hike.

Hourly VTC day price

Round-the-island is billed as hourly hire (from €41/h). For 8h30, total depends on driver, vehicle and passenger count.

Quick comparison:

• Car rental: €70/day + fuel (€30 for 210 km) + nerves if you drive the winding RN2
• Group tour: ~€70-100 per person, fixed stops
• VTC hourly hire: flexibility, local driver who adjusts the route, shared 3-4 ways

For 3-4 passengers, VTC tends to be competitive and more comfortable.

👉 Book your Zoot driver in the app→

FAQ

Can the volcano be included in the round-the-island?

No, impossible in one day. Piton de la Fournaise needs its own day (5-7 h). See Getting to Piton de la Fournaise.

Round-the-island by e-bike?

Technically yes, but the cliff-edge road between Saint-Denis and Saint-Paul is dangerous on a bike (heavy traffic, falling rocks). Not recommended for non-locals.

Best lunch stop?

Saint-Pierre (mid-route) if starting west, Saint-Benoît or Bras Panon (vanilla, Creole tables) if starting east. Grilled fish in the Saint-Joseph area is also an option.

Should I book the day before?

Recommended. A full 8-9 h hire books best 24-48 h ahead so the driver blocks the whole day.

Doable with kids?

Yes if the kids handle long drives. Otherwise, split into two half-days (west day 1, east day 2). See 10 must-do tours.

Read also

• 10 must-do tours in Réunion Island
• Getting to Piton de la Fournaise: road, parking, driver
• Wild coast vs lagoon coast: VTC itinerary
• VTC vs taxi on Réunion Island