Budget/Backpacker Travel Guide: Antananarivo

Accommodation

$8-25 per night

Dorm beds in hostels, basic guesthouses, budget hotels with shared facilities

Food & Dining

$3-8 per day

Street food stalls, local markets, rice and curry shops, self-catering from markets

Transportation

$1-5 per day

Public buses, shared taxi-brousse, walking, occasional motorcycle taxi

Activities

$2-10 per day

Free walking tours, public markets, parks, occasional museum entry, self-guided exploration

Eat at local markets and street food stalls instead of tourist restaurants (typically 60-80% cheaper)

Use public buses and shared taxi-brousse instead of private taxis (usually 70-85% savings on transport)

Stay in neighborhoods away from main tourist areas for accommodation (generally 30-50% lower rates)

Book domestic transport directly with local operators rather than through hotels (typically 20-40% markup avoided)

Visit free attractions like public markets, parks, and neighborhoods before paying for guided tours

Buy bottled water and snacks from local shops rather than hotels (usually 100-300% markup in hotels)

Travel during shoulder season months for accommodation discounts (typically 25-45% lower rates)

Taking taxis everywhere instead of learning the public transport system (typically 4-6x more expensive daily)

Eating only in hotel restaurants and tourist zones (usually 100-200% markup compared to local spots)

Booking tours through hotels instead of directly with operators (typically 25-50% commission markup)

Not carrying small bills for local transport and markets (often results in overpaying or no change given)