Reunion Travel Cost Guide: Hotels, Flights, Packages, Car Rentals, Tours, Cruises and Insurance

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Reunion is one of the most dramatic island destinations in the Indian Ocean, but it is not a simple beach-resort trip. It is a French overseas department with volcanic landscapes, cliff-rimmed cirques, black-lava roads, coastal towns, Creole food, hiking, canyoning, beaches, waterfalls, Piton de la Fournaise and the UNESCO-listed Pitons, cirques and remparts of Reunion Island. The budget depends on whether you are planning a relaxed west-coast stay or a full island road trip.

Expedia works well for Reunion because travelers usually need several pieces together: flights to Saint-Denis, hotels in Saint-Denis, Saint-Gilles-les-Bains or Saint-Paul, vacation packages, car rentals, tours and activities, cruise or regional Indian Ocean add-ons, and travel insurance for hiking, driving and weather interruptions. Use this guide as the planning map, then check live prices here: compare Reunion hotels, flights, packages, cars, tours, cruises and insurance on Expedia.

🧭 Quick Cost Snapshot for Reunion

Reunion can be more expensive than many beach destinations because flights from the United States are long, car rental is useful, and the best trip often includes several regions. Expedia’s Reunion package page showed packages from around $1,305, while another Expedia La Reunion page showed vacation pricing from around $1,126 to $1,305 depending on the page/date snapshot. Expedia’s Saint-Denis package page showed packages from around $711. Expedia’s Reunion hotel page listed top choices such as LUX* Saint Gilles, Palm Hotel and Spa, Le Saint Alexis, Dina Morgabine, Le Relais de L’Hermitage and Residence Tropic Appart’ Hotel.

Sample Expedia-linked hotel prices showed Palm Hotel and Spa around $335 nightly and $347 total on a sample date, Le Saint Alexis around $221 nightly and $229 total, Le Relais de L’Hermitage around $168 nightly and $174 total, Akoya Hotel & Spa around $178 nightly and $186 total, Dina Morgabine around $136 nightly and $142 total, and WOOD Hotel & Spa around $215 nightly and $223 total. Saint-Denis hotels were shown from around $66, while St Gilles-les-Bains hotels were shown from around $88.

Flights are the biggest early cost. Skyscanner examples showed round-trip flights to Reunion from around $1,357, with Saint-Denis/Roland Garros as the cheapest airport and a sample Newark-to-Saint-Denis French Bee itinerary around $1,351 to $1,357. Saint-Denis airport examples showed one-way fares from around $674. San Francisco examples were higher, with sample round trips around $1,731 to $2,023.

Useful Reunion budget models:

  • Saint-Denis short stay: flight, city hotel, airport transfer or rental car, markets, museums, coastal drive
  • West-coast beach trip: Saint-Gilles, Saint-Paul, L’Hermitage, hotel or apartment, beach days, car rental
  • Volcano and hiking trip: car rental, mountain lodging, Piton de la Fournaise, cirques, insurance
  • Full island road trip: Saint-Denis, Salazie, Cilaos, Saint-Pierre/Saint-Leu, west coast, car rental
  • Premium Reunion: spa hotel, guided hikes, canyoning, helicopter or scenic activity, flexible flights

Start live planning here: search Reunion travel deals on Expedia.

⚠️ Entry Rules, Safety and Health Costs

Reunion is part of France, but it is outside mainland Europe and should be planned as an Indian Ocean island trip. U.S. State Department France guidance notes that U.S. citizens can generally stay in France for 90 days without a tourist or business visa and that demonstrations and strikes can occur. Because Reunion is a French overseas department and routings may involve France, Mauritius or other regions, travelers should confirm the exact entry and transit rules before booking.

Health preparation is lighter than many African destinations, but not zero. CDC’s Reunion page says yellow fever vaccine is not recommended and not required. It recommends routine travel health awareness and lists issues such as dengue, leptospirosis, melioidosis, tick-bite risk and tuberculosis prevention behavior. For a practical budget, this means mosquito repellent, travel clinic review if needed, and insurance for outdoor activities rather than malaria-focused planning.

The larger safety costs are environmental and activity-related:

  • Mountain roads and switchbacks
  • Cyclone or heavy-rain disruption
  • Hiking injuries
  • Canyoning or paragliding risks
  • Strong currents and ocean restrictions
  • Volcanic road closures or weather changes
  • Rental car excess coverage
  • Medical evacuation or trip interruption protection

Budget before booking:

  • Passport and transit-rule check
  • Travel insurance
  • Rental car insurance
  • Activity coverage for hiking, canyoning, diving or paragliding
  • Weather-flexible hotel cancellation
  • Mosquito protection
  • Hiking shoes and rain gear
  • Airport pickup if arriving late

Plan the trip with these costs included: build Reunion travel on Expedia.

🏨 How Much Do Hotels Cost in Reunion?

Reunion’s hotel market is split by coast and purpose. Saint-Denis is practical for arrival, government, business and first nights. Saint-Gilles-les-Bains, L’Hermitage and Saint-Paul are better for beach and resort stays. Saint-Leu is good for a slightly slower west-coast base and paragliding atmosphere. Saint-Pierre and the south work for volcano, wild coast and road-trip travelers. Inland areas such as Cilaos and Salazie are about mountain scenery, hiking and thermal-town feeling rather than beach.

Expedia hotel pricing signals included:

  • Saint-Denis hotels from around $66
  • St Gilles-les-Bains hotels from around $88
  • Palm Hotel and Spa around $335 nightly and $347 total on a sample date
  • Le Saint Alexis around $221 nightly and $229 total
  • Le Relais de L’Hermitage around $168 nightly and $174 total
  • Akoya Hotel & Spa around $178 nightly and $186 total
  • Dina Morgabine around $136 nightly and $142 total
  • WOOD Hotel & Spa around $215 nightly and $223 total

Best lodging zones:

  • Saint-Denis: airport access, city stay, first/last night, business
  • Saint-Gilles-les-Bains/L’Hermitage: beach, lagoon, restaurants, resort-style stays
  • Saint-Paul: west coast access, market, beach-adjacent base
  • Saint-Leu: paragliding, surf culture, quieter coast, sunsets
  • Saint-Pierre: south coast, volcano access, lively local base
  • Cilaos: hiking, mountain air, dramatic road, slower pace
  • Salazie/Hell-Bourg: waterfalls, green cirque scenery, hiking base

Reunion hotel value depends on the route. A beach hotel is not ideal if you plan daily highland hikes. A mountain guesthouse is not a beach vacation. If you plan to circle the island, two or three hotel bases often beat one cheap stay.

Compare live stays here: search Reunion hotels on Expedia.

✈️ How Much Are Flights to Reunion?

Reunion Roland Garros Airport near Saint-Denis is the main airport. Skyscanner examples showed round-trip flights to Reunion from around $1,357 and one-way fares to RUN from around $674. U.S.-to-Reunion examples showed Newark to Saint-Denis around $1,351 to $1,357 on a French Bee itinerary via Paris/European routing, while San Francisco examples showed around $1,731 to more than $2,000.

Flight strategy:

  • Search Saint-Denis/Roland Garros first
  • Compare New York/Newark, Boston, Washington, Los Angeles and San Francisco
  • Watch Paris, Mauritius and Indian Ocean connection logic
  • Check whether your routing requires Schengen or overseas-France transit awareness
  • Avoid tight connections if using separate tickets
  • Compare flight-only pricing with Expedia packages
  • Leave a buffer before prepaid hiking or canyoning days

Reunion is a destination where flight schedule matters. If the trip is only seven or eight nights, a poor connection can eat the value of the whole journey. If you are combining Reunion with Mauritius, Madagascar or Seychelles, compare multi-city routing before buying separate one-way tickets.

Search live fares here: compare flights to Reunion on Expedia.

📦 Are Expedia Vacation Packages Worth It for Reunion?

Yes, especially if you want flight + hotel + car rental. Expedia’s Reunion package page says travelers can combine flights, hotels and car rentals for a convenient and cost-effective trip and suggests off-peak periods such as February, June and September for more affordable package holidays. Expedia’s St Gilles-les-Bains page says bundling flight, hotel and car rental can create better value and still allows travelers to customize airline, accommodation and car class.

Packages are useful for:

  • Saint-Denis first-night stays
  • Saint-Gilles beach holidays
  • Flight + hotel + car rental road trips
  • Travelers comparing west-coast hotels
  • Families needing apartments or beach access
  • Couples choosing spa hotels
  • Flexible travelers watching package savings

Packages need checking for:

  • Car rental included or separate
  • Airport pickup hours
  • Hotel parking
  • Cancellation terms during cyclone/heavy-rain season
  • Activity exclusions
  • Whether the hotel is beach, city or mountain
  • Separate-ticket flight risks

For Reunion, the best Expedia workflow is to compare package pricing against flight-only plus hotel-only plus car rental. If the car is included at a good rate, the package can simplify the entire trip.

Start here: build a Reunion vacation package on Expedia.

🏖️ Saint-Gilles, L’Hermitage and West Coast Costs

The west coast is the easiest leisure base for many travelers. Saint-Gilles-les-Bains, L’Hermitage, Saint-Paul and Saint-Leu offer beach access, sunset views, restaurants, apartments, hotels and activity departures. Expedia’s St Gilles-les-Bains hotel page showed hotels from around $88, while the broader Reunion hotel page listed LUX* Saint Gilles, Le Saint Alexis, Le Relais de L’Hermitage and other west-coast-friendly options.

West coast budget:

  • Beach hotel or apartment
  • Car rental or taxi budget
  • Restaurants and groceries
  • Lagoon/beach days
  • Snorkeling or boat activity
  • Saint-Paul market
  • Saint-Leu paragliding or coastal stops
  • Travel insurance for water or air activities

The west coast is also a good base for travelers who want comfort between harder hiking days. You can spend the morning in the hills and the evening near the lagoon, but only if you have a car and realistic timing.

Compare live beach stays here: search St Gilles-les-Bains hotels on Expedia.

🌋 Piton de la Fournaise and Volcano Costs

Piton de la Fournaise is one of the great active-volcano travel experiences, and it changes the budget because it is weather-sensitive, road-dependent and best done with proper gear or a guide. The drive across the Plaine des Sables feels like another planet. If the volcano access road or hiking routes are closed, your day plan may need to shift.

Volcano budget:

  • Rental car
  • Fuel
  • Early departure from coast or south
  • Hiking shoes and rain/wind layer
  • Packed food and water
  • Guide if desired
  • Flexible schedule
  • Insurance for hiking
  • Backup activity if weather closes the route

Do not plan Piton de la Fournaise as a casual beach-day detour. The weather can change quickly, the altitude is cooler, and hiking conditions are very different from the coast. If the volcano is central to the trip, stay in Saint-Pierre, Plaine des Cafres or another practical southern/eastern base for part of the itinerary.

Book the island base here: compare Reunion hotels and cars on Expedia.

⛰️ Cirques, Hiking and UNESCO Costs

UNESCO’s Pitons, cirques and remparts of Reunion Island covers more than 100,000 hectares, about 40 percent of the island, and coincides with the core zone of La Reunion National Park. UNESCO describes volcanic massifs, subtropical rainforests, cloud forests, heath, biodiversity and dramatic relief. In plain travel language: Reunion’s interior is the reason the island is special.

Main hiking/cirque areas:

  • Cilaos: mountain town, hiking, thermal atmosphere, dramatic road
  • Mafate: remote cirque, usually hiking-only access, hut/refuge planning
  • Salazie and Hell-Bourg: waterfalls, green scenery, Creole architecture
  • Piton des Neiges: serious hiking and overnight planning for some travelers
  • Belvederes and short walks: good for travelers who want scenery without full treks

Hiking costs:

  • Car rental
  • Mountain accommodation
  • Refuge booking if needed
  • Guide for harder routes
  • Rain gear
  • Food and water
  • Activity insurance
  • Extra nights if weather delays plans

Mafate is not a cheap quick stop. It requires proper hiking planning. Cilaos and Salazie are more accessible by road but still need time. If hiking matters, budget nights inland rather than commuting from the beach every day.

Search route bases here: plan Reunion hotels and activities on Expedia.

🏙️ Saint-Denis and First-Night Costs

Saint-Denis is the practical gateway. Expedia’s Saint-Denis hotel page showed 1,819 hotels from around $66 in current page data and highlighted romantic/city options such as L’Escapade Bellepierre and Hotel le Juliette Dodu, plus hotels near Jardin de l’Etat such as Dina Morgabine Saint Denis. Expedia’s Saint-Denis travel guide lists routes and flights into Saint-Denis from many international cities.

Saint-Denis budget:

  • Airport transfer or rental car pickup
  • First-night hotel
  • City restaurants
  • Jardin de l’Etat
  • Natural History Museum
  • Colonial architecture and city walking
  • SIM/eSIM or phone setup
  • Parking if renting a car

Saint-Denis is not the main beach base, but it is smart for late arrivals, early departures and first-day recovery. If you arrive tired after a long itinerary, spending one night in Saint-Denis can make the rest of the road trip smoother.

Search city hotels here: find Saint-Denis hotels on Expedia.

🚗 Car Rentals and Getting Around

Car rental is one of the most important Reunion costs. Expedia lists Reunion car rentals and La Reunion car rentals, and its Roland Garros Airport car rental page says travelers can book airport rentals with providers such as Avis or Budget. Expedia’s airport car rental page showed Roland Garros rentals from around $73 in current page title data, while the Reunion car rental page notes that travelers generally need a driver’s license and credit card in the driver’s name, and may need proof of insurance if opting out of the rental company’s plan.

Use car rental if:

  • You want to see more than one coast
  • You plan Piton de la Fournaise
  • You want Cilaos or Salazie
  • You stay in apartments or multiple bases
  • You want flexible hiking starts
  • You want to visit markets and viewpoints

Use transfers or taxis if:

  • You are staying only in Saint-Denis
  • You are staying at one west-coast resort
  • You do not want mountain driving
  • You have only a short stay
  • You are booking guided activity pickups

Car rental tips:

  • Book early for automatic transmission if needed
  • Check hotel parking
  • Understand mountain-road confidence
  • Add insurance/excess coverage if appropriate
  • Avoid rushing after long-haul arrival
  • Do not underestimate driving time through cirques

Compare rental options here: check Reunion car rentals on Expedia.

🚢 Cruises and Indian Ocean Add-Ons

Reunion can appear in Indian Ocean cruise or island-combination itineraries with Mauritius, Seychelles, Madagascar or South Africa. Cruise planning matters if Reunion is a port stop, but the island deserves more than a few hours if hiking and volcano scenery matter.

Cruise questions:

  • Is Reunion a port stop or a full island stay?
  • Does the ship dock near Le Port, and what excursions are offered?
  • Is there enough time for volcano, cirque or only coast/city?
  • Does insurance cover cruise plus land activities?
  • Are weather or cyclone disruptions included?
  • Would a flight + hotel + car package be better value?

If Reunion is a cruise stop, choose one focused excursion. If Reunion is the main trip, spend on car rental, hotels and activities rather than treating it as a quick beach port.

Compare regional options here: search cruises and Reunion travel add-ons on Expedia.

🛡️ Travel Insurance for Reunion

Travel insurance is important for Reunion because the trip is expensive, remote and activity-heavy. Even though Reunion is French and has strong infrastructure compared with many island destinations, travelers still face long-haul flights, mountain roads, hiking, canyoning, paragliding, volcanic weather changes, cyclone-season disruption and car rental excess.

Insurance should cover:

  • Emergency medical care
  • Medical evacuation if needed
  • Trip cancellation
  • Trip interruption
  • Flight delay and missed connection
  • Baggage delay
  • Rental car damage and excess
  • Hiking, canyoning, diving or paragliding where relevant
  • Weather disruption
  • Cruise coverage if attached

Read activity exclusions. A policy that covers a beach holiday may not cover canyoning or paragliding. If hiking remote areas or staying in mountain refuges, confirm rescue and medical evacuation wording.

Compare trip pieces here: plan Reunion with Expedia travel options.

💡 Suggested Reunion Itineraries by Budget

Reunion rewards travelers who slow down. A single-base trip can work, but multiple bases make the island easier.

Short Saint-Denis and west coast:

  • Fly to Saint-Denis
  • Stay one night in Saint-Denis if arriving late
  • Move to Saint-Gilles or L’Hermitage
  • Rent a car or book selected tours
  • Add beach, market and one viewpoint day

Classic one-week road trip:

  • Saint-Denis arrival
  • Salazie or Cilaos mountain night
  • Saint-Pierre or south coast
  • Piton de la Fournaise
  • Saint-Gilles west coast finish
  • Car rental and hiking insurance

Hiking-focused trip:

  • Cilaos
  • Mafate or Salazie
  • Piton des Neiges or shorter trails
  • Volcano route
  • Fewer beach nights, more weather buffer

Beach and comfort trip:

  • Stay in Saint-Gilles, Saint-Paul or Saint-Leu
  • Rent a car for selected day trips
  • Add lagoon, restaurants, Saint-Paul market and one volcano/cirque day
  • Keep activity load light

Premium active trip:

  • Spa hotel on west or south coast
  • Guided volcano/hiking
  • Canyoning or helicopter/scenic activity
  • Multi-base hotel plan
  • Strong insurance

Search live options here: compare Reunion hotels, flights and packages on Expedia.

❓ FAQ: Reunion Travel Costs

Is Reunion expensive?

Reunion can be expensive because flights from the United States are long, car rental is useful, and good hotels on the west coast or south coast can be premium. Apartments and simpler hotels can reduce costs.

Are Expedia Reunion vacation packages worth it?

Yes, especially if they combine flight, hotel and car rental. Reunion is a road-trip island, so packages that include a car can be useful.

Where should I stay first?

If arriving late, stay in Saint-Denis. For beach and restaurants, choose Saint-Gilles, L’Hermitage, Saint-Paul or Saint-Leu. For volcano and south coast, consider Saint-Pierre or nearby areas.

Do I need a car in Reunion?

For most travelers, yes. A car makes volcanoes, cirques, viewpoints, beaches and multi-base trips much easier. If staying only at one resort, transfers may be enough.

Do I need yellow fever or malaria medication?

CDC says yellow fever vaccine is not recommended and not required for Reunion. Malaria is not a main Reunion cost, but mosquito protection still matters because dengue is listed by CDC.

Is Reunion good for cruises?

Yes as a port or Indian Ocean add-on, but the island is better with several days and a rental car if you want hiking, volcanoes and cirques.

Do I need travel insurance?

Yes. It is especially important for flight disruption, rental car excess, hiking, canyoning, paragliding, weather disruption and cruise add-ons.

✅ Final Booking Advice

Reunion is best booked as an active island road trip, not a passive beach package. Decide whether the trip is beach, volcano, hiking, full loop or cruise add-on, then price flight, hotel base, rental car, activities and insurance together.

For live prices and booking options, compare everything here: book Reunion travel with Expedia.

Sources

  • Expedia Reunion vacation packages: https://www.expedia.com/Reunion.d150.Destination-Travel-Guides
  • Expedia La Reunion vacation packages: https://www.expedia.com/La-Reunion.d553248626387959857.Destination-Travel-Guides
  • Expedia Reunion hotels: https://www.expedia.com/Destinations-In-Reunion.d150.Hotel-Destinations
  • Expedia Saint-Denis vacation packages: https://www.expedia.com/Saint-Denis.d6046661.Destination-Travel-Guides
  • Expedia Saint-Denis hotels: https://www.expedia.com/Saint-Denis-Hotels.d6046661.Travel-Guide-Hotels
  • Expedia Saint-Denis travel guide: https://www.expedia.com/Saint-Denis.dx6046661
  • Expedia St Gilles-les-Bains vacation packages: https://www.expedia.com/St-Gilles-Les-Bains.d6058970.Destination-Travel-Guides
  • Expedia St Gilles-les-Bains hotels: https://www.expedia.com/St-Gilles-Les-Bains-Hotels.d6058970.Travel-Guide-Hotels
  • Expedia Reunion things to do: https://www.expedia.com/Things-To-Do-In-Reunion.d150.Travel-Guide-Activities
  • Expedia Reunion car rentals: https://www.expedia.com/Destinations-In-Reunion.d150.Car-Rental-Destinations
  • Expedia La Reunion car rentals: https://www.expedia.com/Car-Rentals-In-La-Reunion.d553248626387959857.Car-Rental-Guide
  • Expedia Roland Garros Airport car rental: https://www.expedia.com/Car-Rentals-In-Roland-Garros.d5133650.Car-Rental-Guide
  • Skyscanner flights to Reunion: https://www.skyscanner.com/flights-to/re/cheap-flights-to-reunion.html
  • Skyscanner United States to Reunion flights: https://www.skyscanner.com/routes/us/re/united-states-to-reunion.html
  • Skyscanner flights to Saint-Denis/Roland Garros: https://www.skyscanner.com/flights-to/run/cheap-flights-to-saint-denis-airport.html
  • U.S. State Department France travel advisory: https://travel.state.gov/en/international-travel/travel-advisories/france.html
  • CDC Travelers’ Health Reunion: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/reunion
  • UNESCO Pitons, cirques and remparts of Reunion Island: https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1317/

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