A step-by-step guide with travel tips and insights for families. how to take the bus from Grand Baie to SSR Airport in Mauritius!
Table of Contents
Main Journey
It was our last day in Mauritius. After spending an incredible time in Grand Baie, we were finally leaving, heading to Madagascar with a layover in Seychelles.
Our flight was scheduled for 4:30 PM, and getting to Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam (SSR) Airport wasn’t going to be easy. A taxi would take 1.5 to 2 hours, but the price—1,700 MUR (~$54 USD)—felt excessive. Instead, we decided to take the bus to save money, knowing it would take longer but significantly reduce our expenses.
After packing up and checking out, we took one last look around our temporary home before heading to the bus stop.
Taking the Bus: Grand Baie to Port Louis
We left our accommodation around 9:50 AM and walked to the bus stop. Our large backpacks, now even heavier with extra supplies like rice, salt, and Nutella for our upcoming road trip in South Africa, made the walk a bit more challenging.
The bus ride from Grand Baie to Port Louis took about an hour. Since there was no direct bus to the airport, we knew we had to transfer in Port Louis and find another bus heading toward Mahébourg, the closest town to SSR Airport.
Finding the Transfer Bus in Port Louis
According to the Mauritius bus website, the bus stop for the airport-bound bus was about 1 km away, so we had to walk. The heat and our heavy luggage made it exhausting. I asked Julie (Coco) if she wanted to take a break, but she shook her head and said,
“No, let’s keep going. If we stop, I won’t be able to start again.”
After passing three bus stops that weren’t the right one, we finally found it—Bus No. 198 to Mahébourg.
Port Louis to SSR Airport
We boarded Bus 198 around noon. The ride offered beautiful views of the Mauritian countryside, but time was ticking, and we were getting anxious. According to the website, the bus should have taken us directly to SSR Airport. However, we soon realized it stopped one station short of the airport.
We were about to call a taxi when, luckily, an airport-bound bus arrived just in time. By 1:50 PM, we finally reached the airport.
Events
- Saying Goodbye to Grand Baie
Leaving our temporary home felt bittersweet. Even Sweetie seemed to sense the moment, singing her favorite song, “Butterfly,” as we walked past the familiar garden path. - A Long Journey by Bus
What could have been a short taxi ride turned into a four-hour adventure involving transfers, walking, and a lot of uncertainty. - A Quick Meal Before Departure
After arriving at the airport, we had lunch at a small food stall in the parking lot. It was far cheaper than eating inside the terminal.- Kebab: 45 MUR (~$1.40 USD)
- Noodles: 70 MUR (~$2.20 USD)
Sweetie had just finished a bowl of noodles but immediately asked for more food. Lately, her appetite had grown significantly—she might be hitting a growth spurt.
Tips for Traveling with a Baby
1. Pack Snacks and Drinks
Bus rides in Mauritius can be long and unpredictable. Having Sweetie’s favorite snacks and drinks (like yogurt and biscuits) kept her happy and calm throughout the journey.
2. Take Breaks When Possible
Walking between bus stops in Port Louis was tiring. We made sure to take short breaks whenever Sweetie needed one, even though we had to keep moving.
3. Keep Essentials Easily Accessible
With heavy backpacks, organizing our bags properly was essential. We packed Sweetie’s necessities—water, snacks, diapers, and a small toy—in a smaller bag for easy access.
Local Travel Tips
- Use the Bus to Save Money
While taxis are faster, they’re expensive. If you have time, taking the bus can save you a lot of money. - Eat Outside the Airport
Food inside SSR Airport is costly. The small food stalls near the parking lot offer much cheaper and more filling meals. - Spend Your Local Currency Before Entering the Airport
Prices inside the airport are significantly higher. We used our last 30 MUR to buy yogurt and snacks before heading inside, which was a smart move—inside the airport, a small KitKat bar cost 60 MUR.
Travel Reflections
Leaving Mauritius was harder than expected. As we sat in the airport waiting for our flight, we looked outside and saw a rainbow. It felt like the island was sending us off with one final farewell.
Sweetie, sitting beside me, whispered, “I’m hungry again.” I laughed—she was definitely growing fast.
Looking out the window, I thought to myself, “This island doesn’t let you go easily.” Mauritius had given us so many beautiful memories, and I knew we would return one day.
“Goodbye, Mauritius. Until next time.”
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