Travel Information

As with traveling anywhere in the world, there are things one needs to know to enjoy oneÂ’s trip to the Comoros without the hassle. Ensuring that you know how to get around, where to stay, and how currency is exchanged are just some common things all travelers must become familiar with. If you secure reservations in advance, do a little research, and plan well, you are sure to have an enjoyable time in our islands.

Currency

The official money of the Comoros Islands is the Comorian Franc; as per a deal with the French in 1979, Comoros is part of the Franc Zone and there is free convertibility between the two denominations. Exchange rates are as follows: fifty Comorian francs to one French franc and 491.9677 Comorian francs to one Euro. KMF (Comorian franc) 100 equates to about twenty seven cents in American dollars. On Ngazidja, banking is relatively easy, but that may not be the case on the other islands; it should be noted as well that travelerÂ’s checks are only changed at the Banque Internationale des Comores.

Visa Information

Visas are a requirement any time you venture to a foreign country.  All nationals of any country are issued a free twenty-four hour transit Visa. Upon the expiration of that visa, travelers must visit the immigration office in Moroni to update their visa standing. In the Comoros, visas may be purchased when you land. Costs are as follows: for a maximum of five days, you pay KMF 3,000, up to fifteen days costs KMF 6,000, and KMF 15,000 for up to forty five days.  The fees associated with purchasing a visa are payable in Swiss francs, Euros, Pounds Sterling, or American dollars. You must also have your current passport with at least three months validity, which is similar to travel in most countries.

Language

There are three official languages in the Comoros. French, due to the history of French colonization, is prevalent in the islands and is one of the three official languages. Arabic, which was brought by the Arab traders, is also spoken on the islands. Comorian, or Shikomor, is the most commonly used of all three of the languages. Partially Swahili and partially Arabic in influence, the language has no official alphabet. Each islandsÂ’ usage varies and creates distinct dialects for each.

Best Time to Travel

Since the island has a tropical climate, it is always gorgeous in the Comoros. The cooler season, which lasts from May to October, is probably the best time to go if you donÂ’t like very high temperatures. November to April is the warm season, which many favor, however, from November to May, it is the rainy season. The agreed upon best time to travel is from August to October, when the wetness subsides and temperatures are milder. When you go just depends on what you want from your vacation and what you prefer in terms of climate. People who do not like humidity and heat will not be comfortable, but those seeking the sunÂ’s solace in fall and winter will be pleased.

Getting to the Islands

If one is traveling by plane to the Comoros, you will have to arrive and depart from Prince Said Ibrahim International Airport, which is near Moroni. Flying into Nairobi or France may be necessary to get to the islands. Carriers which service the airport in Grande Comore, include Corsair, Air France, and Air Austral, Emirates Airlines, and Interair, which is a South African airline.

If one is coming from Zanzibar or Mombasa, cargo boats can be an option, but are generally thought to be expensive and uncomfortable, at prices such as $120 American. Services such as these are also available from Madagascar and cost even more, at $220 American.

Getting Around

Traversing around the islands and between the islands requires coordination of different services. Depending on how much you want to spend and how you want to travel, you have several options for getting around the Comoros. Renting a car can only be done on Grande Comore and Mayotte; these services are extremely expensive, as is gas. In order to drive a car in the Comoros, you also need an international license, which can be issued through your local auto association.

Taxis, which cost less than car rentals, can also be had. Most of them are share-taxis, which means you could be sharing your space with other people. Some islands services are cheaper, but taxis are available on most of the islands. Taxis cost about KMF 1000 when traveling between the airport and Moroni, unless you get an unscrupulous driver, who may try to charge more than the typical fare. A taxi-brousse, which is a different kind of shared taxi option, costs less, but drivers usually do not leave until all seats are filled. With negotiating necessary, you may be able to hire a taxi to take you on a tour of the island; beware that if you do this, you should set all terms up front, including a set price. You would be wise to document your expectations in French for the driver, so there are no disagreements over the terms or fare.

Traveling between the islands can be conveniently done by boat. Many boat ferries have capsized from being overloaded, so it would be wise to ensure your boat is not overfilled and that is has lifeboats. Air travel is also an option between the islands of the Comoros.

Other Important Information

Because Comoros is a Muslim country, one should practice courtesy for other people and show respect for Islamic holidays such as Ramadan. Drug Smuggling is severely punished in this country, so be sure that you follow all drug-related laws. Many countries require proof of custodianship or parentage when traveling alone with a child before they will let you leave or enter, so make sure you have the proper paperwork before traveling.