Arriving at Ivato Airport: step by step
Ivato International Airport (TNR) is the main airport of Madagascar, just outside Antananarivo. This is what happens between the plane and the car, so you know what to expect when you land. We checked it against official sources on 20 October 2026.
From the plane to the arrivals hall
- Health check. At the time of writing, all travellers fill in a health declaration and are screened on arrival.
- Visa. Buy your visa at the e-visa counters, or show the travel authorisation you got online. Prices and documents: Madagascar visa guide.
- Passport control.
- Baggage claim. If a bag is missing or damaged, report it at the baggage claim desk in the international terminal before you leave. Bags are handled by Madagascar Ground Handling, phone +261 34 49 222 01.
- Customs. Declare your foreign cash here if you carry a large amount (see below).
- Arrivals hall. This is where Vanessa waits for you, with a sign with your name if you have not sent us a photo.
When several flights land at the same time, this can take a while. That is why waiting is free for 1 h 30 after your plane lands.
Money: getting ariary without losing time or money
- The local currency is the Malagasy ariary (Ar). You may bring up to 400,000 Ar into Madagascar. Most places in Madagascar only take cash, so you will need ariary.
- At the airport, the arrivals hall has cash machines and an exchange office. Change only what you need for the first day or two: travellers report that the airport rate is usually a little worse than in town.
- Cash machines: the fee depends on the bank that owns the machine, and your own bank may also charge for withdrawals abroad. Check the fee on the screen before you confirm.
- Banks in town usually give a good rate, but you need your passport, there is often a queue, and they are only open during office hours. On the day you land, a bank is rarely the quick option.
- Never change money with people in the street, however good the rate sounds. Use a bank, an exchange office or a cash machine.
- Bring clean, undamaged euro notes. Damaged or marked notes may be refused.
- Declaring cash: the airport's own FAQ says that foreign cash of €1,000 or more must be declared at customs. The UK government gives €7,500. If you carry more than €1,000, declaring it is the safe choice: according to the UK government, undeclared cash can be seized when you leave.
- You can pay us in cash in euros or ariary, or by mobile money. So there is no need to queue for ariary when you land late: change money calmly the next day.
Phone and internet: a SIM card without surprises
- The airport has free WiFi.
- The main mobile networks are Yas (formerly Telma), Orange and Airtel.
- Buy at the operator's own shop or counter. Yas has its own Yas Store at Ivato airport, and travellers report Orange and Airtel counters in the arrivals area too.
- Bring your passport. Your SIM card is registered in your name with your passport.
- Ask for the offer and the price before you pay. For example, Yas sells a tourist eSIM for 30 days with 5 GB of data, 1 hour of national calls, 5 minutes of international calls and 50 SMS, for 60,000 Ar or €12 (Yas, October 2026; the euro price can vary with the exchange rate).
- Check that the internet works before you leave the counter.
- Do not buy a SIM card from people who approach you in the hall, and do not hand your passport to anyone outside a shop.
- Your phone must be unlocked to take a local SIM card, and the tourist eSIM needs a phone that supports eSIM.
- Once you are online, you can reach us on WhatsApp.
The drive to Antananarivo
The districts where most travellers stay are 14 to 20 km from the airport on the route Google Maps suggests, about 25 to 45 minutes in afternoon traffic according to Google Maps. With heavy traffic it takes longer. You pay by the kilometre on that route, so the traffic does not change your price: distance, time and price by district.
The UK government advises travellers in Madagascar to use pre-booked taxis or hotel transport, and to keep car doors locked and windows closed, particularly in Antananarivo. With us, the car, the driver and the price are agreed before you land.
In Antananarivo: keep your things close
Antananarivo is a lively, welcoming city, but pickpockets are common, especially in crowds, at markets and on busy streets, and foreigners are their favourite targets. The UK and French governments both warn travellers about street theft. Three simple habits make a big difference.