Luxury Travel Guide: Antananarivo

Accommodation

$120-400 per night

Upscale hotels, luxury resorts, boutique properties with premium amenities and services

Food & Dining

$40-120 per day

Fine dining restaurants, hotel restaurants, premium local cuisine experiences, wine pairings

Transportation

$30-100 per day

Private car with driver, luxury transfers, domestic flights, premium car rentals

Activities

$60-250 per day

Private guided tours, exclusive experiences, premium cultural activities, helicopter tours

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)