Seychelles International Airport on Mahé is small by global standards, but it has two distinct faces: the international terminal that handles long-haul arrivals and departures, and the domestic terminal that connects travelers to Praslin and the outer islands. Understanding how these two terminal areas work, and how to move between them, can make the difference between a smooth island-hopping experience and a stressful start to your trip.
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Overview: How Seychelles International Airport Is Laid Out
Seychelles International Airport (airport code SEZ) sits on Mahé, the main island and transport hub for the country. The airport has an international terminal for all flights arriving from or departing to other countries, and a separate domestic terminal for inter-island services. Both terminals are part of the same compact airport area and function together as a single facility rather than two distant buildings.
The international terminal is where most travelers first arrive in Seychelles, whether they fly with Emirates, Qatar Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, Air Seychelles or other regional carriers. From here, passengers clear immigration, collect baggage and pass through customs before exiting into the public arrivals hall. Just a short walk away, the domestic terminal handles frequent shuttle-style flights to Praslin as well as charter flights to islands such as Alphonse and Bird Island.
For context, the domestic terminal is roughly a two-minute walk from the international terminal, positioned just to the north and connected by a simple, signposted walkway. There are no shuttle buses or trains to worry about. In practice, most passengers who are reasonably mobile can move between terminals in five minutes or less at a normal walking pace, even while pushing a luggage trolley.
Because SEZ is a relatively small airport, the atmosphere is more relaxed than at major hubs. However, at peak times when multiple widebody jets arrive close together, queues for immigration and baggage can still build, and this can affect how quickly you can connect onward to the domestic terminal. It is therefore worth understanding the arrival process in detail, especially if you are planning a same-day connection to Praslin or another island.
International Arrivals: From Aircraft Door to Landside
On landing at Mahé, international flights usually park at stands just in front of the international terminal. Passengers typically use jet bridges or, on occasion, mobile stairs with a short walk or bus ride to the terminal entrance. Once inside, everyone funnels toward immigration where Seychelles border officers check passports and visitor documentation.
For most nationalities visiting for tourism, Seychelles issues a visitor’s permit on arrival provided you meet entry conditions such as having a valid passport, proof of onward or return travel, and confirmed accommodation. Immigration officers may also ask for evidence that you have sufficient funds for your stay. At busy times, queues can take around 20 to 45 minutes to clear, while at quiet times you might pass through in under 15 minutes, but travelers should build in a buffer when planning onward connections.
After immigration you descend to baggage reclaim. Because SEZ handles a limited number of flights at any given time, baggage delivery is often relatively quick, though this can vary depending on how full your aircraft was and how many flights arrived at once. Trolleys are usually available free of charge, and it is common for travelers connecting to Praslin to load all their bags onto one trolley for the short walk to the domestic terminal.
Once you have your luggage, you proceed through customs. Seychelles customs officers screen baggage for restricted items such as large quantities of alcohol or tobacco, commercial goods and certain food products. Green and red channels are typically used. After this final control you emerge into the public arrivals hall, where you will find ATM machines, currency exchange, car rental desks and taxi stands. This arrivals hall is your starting point for the short transfer to the domestic terminal.
Domestic Terminal Basics: Inter-Island Flights and Facilities
The domestic terminal at Mahé is dedicated mainly to inter-island flights operated by Air Seychelles. The core route is Mahé to Praslin, which is one of the busiest domestic air links in the Indian Ocean, with frequent daily services and a flight time of around 15 to 20 minutes. There are also charter and scheduled flights, often on smaller aircraft, to islands such as Alphonse and Bird Island during specific seasons.
The domestic terminal building itself is modest but functional. You will find check-in counters for Air Seychelles domestic services, a security checkpoint for departing passengers, a small departure lounge with seating, basic refreshments and restrooms, and an arrivals area on the ground floor where passengers collect baggage directly from trolleys or a small belt. Compared with the international terminal, distances are short and processes feel straightforward.
Air Seychelles domestic flights typically use De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter aircraft configured with about 15 to 20 seats, though exact layouts can vary. These are small turboprop planes, and boarding is often done on foot across the apron. The boarding experience is informal by big-airport standards, with staff calling flights from the gate area and passengers walking out in small groups.
There are usually far fewer amenities in the domestic terminal compared to the international side. Expect a more basic selection of snacks and drinks, and fewer shops. For travelers wanting more extensive food or duty-free shopping, it can make sense to use facilities in the international terminal before heading over to check in for a domestic flight, provided you have enough time and have already cleared any necessary formalities.
Walking and Transferring Between International and Domestic Areas
The most important practical detail for many travelers is how to get from international arrivals to the domestic terminal. Fortunately, the process is simple. After exiting customs at the international terminal, you head outside into the arrivals forecourt and follow the clearly marked signs pointing to the domestic terminal. The walkway is level and suitable for pulling wheeled suitcases or pushing an airport trolley.
In real terms, the distance between the two terminals is only a few hundred meters. Most travelers cover it in about two to five minutes. Even if you stop briefly to orient yourself, buy a local SIM at a kiosk, or withdraw cash from an ATM, you are unlikely to spend more than 10 minutes walking. Families with children and people with large luggage loads regularly make the transfer on foot without difficulty.
There is no need for shuttle buses or security checkpoints between the terminals themselves, because they are both landside at this stage. You will only go through security again when you enter the domestic departure area. This makes the connection more predictable than in larger hub airports where you might depend on internal trains or buses.
For the reverse journey, such as when you fly from Praslin back to Mahé and then connect to an international flight, you simply exit the domestic arrivals area, follow the same walking route in the opposite direction, and enter the international departures area. Signage is in English and French, and staff are used to answering questions from transit passengers if you are unsure which way to go.
Mahé to Praslin by Air: Schedules, Check-in and Realistic Connection Times
The Mahé to Praslin air link is the classic inter-island hop in Seychelles. Air Seychelles usually operates frequent services through the day, with more flights in the morning and late afternoon to align with international arrivals and departures. The exact timetable varies by season, but it is common to see flights every 20 to 30 minutes during busier periods, especially in the main tourist seasons.
Check-in rules for domestic flights can differ from what visitors are used to on short-haul routes elsewhere. Air Seychelles generally asks passengers to check in at the airport at least one hour before departure for domestic flights, and earlier during peak holiday periods. Online check-in is available for many tickets, but if you have checked baggage you must still present your bags at the domestic check-in counters by the cut-off time indicated on your booking.
For travelers arriving on an international flight and connecting to Praslin, the key decision is how much time to allow between your scheduled international arrival and your domestic departure. A connection time of around two to three hours is often considered a comfortable minimum in normal conditions, as it allows for immigration, baggage reclaim, customs and the short walk to the domestic terminal, with some buffer for delays. For example, if your long-haul flight is due into Mahé at 8:30 in the morning, booking a domestic flight to Praslin between 10:30 and 11:00 often gives a workable margin, assuming no major disruption.
Some travelers with through-tickets issued on a single booking from their home city to Praslin enjoy additional protection, as their bags are tagged all the way and airline staff in their origin city are able to see the connection times. However, if you buy your Mahé to Praslin flight separately, you carry more risk if your inbound flight is delayed. In that situation it is safer to build in an even longer cushion or to choose a later flight, especially in peak season when domestic services can be busy and same-day changes more difficult.
Baggage Rules and Through-Check for Domestic Connections
Baggage allowances on domestic flights in Seychelles can be different from what you had on your international leg. Air Seychelles typically allows a combined checked and hand baggage limit of around 28 to 37 kilograms per person on domestic routes, depending on the fare type, with a portion allocated to checked luggage and about 5 kilograms allocated to cabin baggage. However, these numbers can change over time, so travelers should always verify their specific allowance when booking.
If you hold a through ticket that includes both your international and domestic flight on the same itinerary, your baggage allowance on the domestic sector is often matched to what appears on your original long-haul ticket. For example, a traveler flying from London to Mahé with a major carrier and continuing to Praslin on a through-booked Air Seychelles segment may be able to check a standard 23-kilogram suitcase through to Praslin, with the same allowance applying to both flights. In that case, your bags are typically tagged to Praslin at your departure airport, though you may still need to reconfirm details upon arrival.
By contrast, if you buy the Mahé to Praslin ticket separately from your international flights, the domestic baggage policy applies on its own. If you arrive with two very heavy suitcases that exceed the domestic allowance, you could be asked to pay excess baggage fees or to send extra bags on a later flight, especially because the small Twin Otter aircraft have strict weight and balance limits. In practice, airline staff often try to accommodate tourists, but they cannot guarantee that all oversized baggage will travel on the same flight as the passenger when weight restrictions are tight.
For travelers continuing from Praslin back to Mahé to connect to long-haul flights, it is important to factor in the possibility that checked bags, especially heavy ones, might be delayed by one domestic rotation if the aircraft is close to its maximum payload. Airlines usually notify passengers at check-in if they expect baggage to arrive later and will arrange for it to be delivered or collected once it reaches the destination. Planning a longer layover on Mahé before an intercontinental flight can reduce the stress if this occurs.
Check-in Timing, Security and What to Expect on Departure
Whether you are departing Seychelles on an international flight or taking a domestic hop to Praslin, arriving at the airport early is the simplest way to avoid stress. For international flights, many airlines open check-in about three hours before departure and close it around one hour before. For domestic flights, check-in deadlines can be shorter, but the general guidance of arriving at least one hour before departure is still sensible, and more time is advisable during busy holiday periods.
At the international terminal, the departure process is similar to other small regional airports. You check in at your airline’s counter, drop your luggage, and proceed through exit immigration and security. Exit immigration checks that you have complied with your visitor permit conditions, and security screening applies standard rules about liquids, electronics and sharp items. Inside the airside departures area you will find duty-free shops, small boutiques, and a handful of cafes or bars, though choice may be limited outside peak hours.
At the domestic terminal, departure formalities are usually quicker. You check in at the Air Seychelles domestic counters, hand over your checked bags and receive a boarding pass. Security screening is required before entering the departure lounge, but queues are often short. Because cabin space on the small aircraft is limited, larger cabin bags may be taken at the aircraft steps and placed in the hold for the short flight. Passengers commonly board from ground level, walking out to the aircraft under staff supervision, which allows excellent views of the apron and surrounding hills.
Real-world traveler accounts often describe how they arrived at the domestic terminal about 60 to 90 minutes before their scheduled flight, completed check-in and security in under 20 minutes, and then waited in the lounge until boarding. While this can feel like “too early” when things go smoothly, the same travelers usually say they would rather wait in the lounge than risk being caught in an unexpectedly long queue at immigration or check-in after a late-arriving international flight.
Praslin and Beyond: How Domestic Arrivals Work
On arrival in Praslin, the experience is usually quick and straightforward. The airport is small, and domestic arrivals disembark directly onto the tarmac before walking into the terminal building. Checked bags are often brought in on trolleys and placed in a simple reclaim area where passengers pick them up a few minutes after landing. Without immigration or customs formalities between islands, most people are outside the airport and meeting taxis or hotel representatives within 10 to 20 minutes of touchdown.
Praslin Airport is located near Grand Anse, with road connections to hotels around the island. Many larger resorts arrange private transfers and will have staff waiting with a sign. Independent travelers often use local taxis, which typically wait outside the terminal around scheduled arrivals. Because the airport is small, there is no complex signage; you simply follow the flow of passengers out of the arrivals door to the parking area.
For those using Praslin as a stepping stone to La Digue or other islands, the connection is usually by ferry from the nearby Baie Sainte Anne jetty. The drive from Praslin Airport to the jetty takes roughly 20 to 25 minutes in typical traffic. Travelers sometimes schedule a couple of hours between their flight arrival and ferry departure, which provides time to collect baggage, travel across the island and check in at the ferry terminal, where check-in typically closes in advance of sailing.
On the return journey from Praslin to Mahé, the same simplicity applies. After landing at Mahé’s domestic terminal, you collect your baggage and walk to the international terminal for your onward flight. Many travelers report that they were able to exit the domestic terminal within minutes of landing, transfer between buildings in a few minutes and then check in for an evening long-haul departure with time to spare, provided they had allowed a sensible connection window in their plans.
The Takeaway
Although the presence of separate domestic and international terminals at Seychelles International Airport might sound complicated at first glance, the reality on the ground is relatively simple. The entire airport complex is compact, the walking transfer between terminals is short, and staff are used to guiding visitors who are continuing to Praslin or other islands. For most travelers, the main points of attention are connection times, baggage allowances and check-in deadlines, rather than complex terminal navigation.
When planning your trip, think of Mahé as the international gateway and Praslin as the main domestic hub. Allow at least two to three hours between your international arrival and domestic departure when booking separate tickets, or follow airline guidance if you hold a through ticket. Pack with domestic baggage limits in mind, especially if you are carrying heavy dive gear, camera equipment or multiple large suitcases. And remember that while the airport is small and informal in feel, peak-season crowds and weather-related delays can still affect the flow of flights.
By understanding how the international and domestic terminals connect, what to expect during arrivals and departures, and how baggage and check-in procedures work, you can turn what might otherwise be a stressful connection into a relaxed start to your island holiday. A little preparation before you land on Mahé goes a long way toward ensuring that your journey from the aircraft door to your beachside villa is as smooth and enjoyable as the turquoise waters you came to see.
FAQ
Q1: How long does it take to walk between the international and domestic terminals at Mahé?
Most travelers find it takes about two to five minutes to walk between the terminals at a normal pace, as they are only a few hundred meters apart and connected by a simple, signposted path.
Q2: Is a two-hour connection enough to transfer from an international flight to a Praslin domestic flight?
A two-hour connection can be sufficient in normal conditions, but three hours provides a safer buffer for immigration queues, baggage delays and any slight late arrival of your long-haul flight.
Q3: Can my baggage be checked through from my home country all the way to Praslin?
If your international and domestic flights are on a single through ticket, your baggage is often tagged through to Praslin, with the same allowance as your long-haul sector, but you should confirm this with your airline at booking.
Q4: What baggage allowance should I expect on Mahé to Praslin flights?
Domestic baggage allowances are typically lower than on long-haul flights, often around a combined 28 to 37 kilograms including cabin and checked baggage, but exact limits depend on your fare and ticket type.
Q5: How early should I arrive at the airport for a domestic flight to Praslin?
Arriving at least one hour before departure is generally recommended, and adding extra time during peak seasons is wise, especially if you have checked bags or are new to the airport.
Q6: Are there restaurants and shops in the domestic terminal?
The domestic terminal has basic facilities such as snacks, drinks and restrooms, but for a wider choice of dining and shopping many travelers prefer to use the international terminal before heading over for check-in.
Q7: What happens if my domestic flight is full and my checked baggage is overweight?
On small aircraft with strict weight limits, overweight or excess baggage may need to travel on a later flight, and you may be charged extra fees, so it is best to stay within your allowance where possible.
Q8: Do I need to go through immigration when flying between Mahé and Praslin?
No immigration or customs checks are required for domestic flights between Mahé and Praslin, so arrivals and departures at the domestic terminal are usually quick and straightforward.
Q9: Is it better to fly or take the ferry between Mahé and Praslin?
Flying is faster and connects directly from the airport, while the ferry is often cheaper but requires a taxi or bus ride to the port; many travelers choose based on budget, schedule and motion-sickness concerns.
Q10: Can I make a same-day connection from Praslin back to Mahé and onto an evening long-haul flight?
Yes, many travelers do this successfully by scheduling an earlier domestic flight from Praslin, leaving several hours on Mahé before their international departure to allow for any minor delays or baggage issues.