When planning a trip to Mauritius, many travelers wonder:
Is it cheaper to rent a car at Mauritius airport or in the city?

At first glance, airport rentals look convenient, while city or local rentals appear cheaper. But in reality, the difference is not about location anymore — it’s about how the rental service operates.

Today, most local car rental companies in Mauritius offer island-wide delivery, including airport pickup, hotels, and villas. This changes the cost comparison completely.

In this guide, we’ll break it down in a simple, honest way so you can decide what works best for your trip.

When renting a car in Mauritius, you usually have two main choices:

1. Airport counter–based car rental
2. Local car rental with delivery (including airport delivery)

At first glance, city rentals sometimes look cheaper. But price alone doesn’t tell the full story.

• Local car rental companies do not need airport counters
• Cars can be delivered directly to the airport arrival gate
• Pickup and return can happen at different locations

Renting a Car Through Airport Counters – What You Pay For

Airport car rentals usually operate from official airport counters.

Typical Pricing

• Daily rate is often higher
• Airport fees are included in the price
• Less flexibility on negotiation

What airport rental gives you

• Immediate pickup at a counter
• Clear process for first-time renters
• Familiar international brands

For some travelers, this feels reassuring.

Limitations of airport car rentals

• Higher daily rates
• Limited flexibility on pickup/return timing
• Less room for custom requests
• Less personal support once you leave the airport

You’re paying for infrastructure, not necessarily better service.

Local Car Rentals with Island-Wide Delivery

This is where many travelers save money without compromising convenience.

Local car rental companies in Mauritius often:

• Deliver cars directly to the airport, hotel, or villa
• Offer flexible pickup and return locations
• Avoid airport counter fees
• Keep pricing transparent

Because they are not tied to airport counters, they can offer better value for the same convenience.

Cost advantage of local car rentals

Local rentals often offer:

• Lower or similar daily rates compared to airport rentals
• No airport surcharge
• No taxi or transfer cost
• Flexible return locations

In most cases, you get the same convenience without paying airport overheads.

Service flexibility (where local rentals stand out)

Local car rentals are often preferred because they:

• Adjust pickup time to your flight arrival
• Allow late-night or early-morning delivery
• Offer quick communication (WhatsApp/call)
• Provide faster help in case of issues

For families, long stays, and repeat visitors, this makes a big difference.

Which Option Is Cheaper for Most Tourists?

For most travelers visiting Mauritius:

• Airport rentals → More expensive for the same convenience
• Local rentals → Better value with equal or better service

The only time airport rentals make sense is when:

• You strongly prefer counter-based international brands
• You are booking last-minute without prior contact

Otherwise, local car rental with delivery is usually the cheaper and smarter option

Why Many Travelers Choose Local Car Rentals in Mauritius

Local rentals fit Mauritius better because:

• The island is compact
• Delivery is easy
• Support is faster
• Pricing is more flexible

This is why many travelers now look for:

“Local car rental in Mauritius with airport delivery” instead of searching only for airport counters.

Final Verdict: Airport or Local Car Rental?

In Mauritius, renting from a local car rental company that offers island-wide delivery is usually cheaper than renting from an airport counter.

You get:

• No airport fees
• More flexibility
• Personal support
• Similar or lower pricing

Instead of focusing only on “airport vs city”, focus on how the car reaches you — that’s where the real savings are.