Fianarantsoa Cote Est (FCE), Fianarantsoa Province, Madagascar

3.5 (104 reviews) Saturday: 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM Spent Ranking #5 in Fianarantsoa Scenic Railroads

Fun but LONG train journey

We did the train on a Tuesday. My hotel booked it by phone the day before but I think we must have got the last first class seats, book earlier if you can (also book your accomodation as you will be getting there late). The train left just 10 minutes late (scheduled departure is at 7am). The train is a lot of fun as each village comes out to meet the train and it is great to watch everything happening but you need to have a good book with you for the delays - we didnt get to Manakara until 12.30am. It gets a bit tedious when it is dark as there is little to see. However, overall it is a great experience. )

Address

FCE Gare, Fianarantsoa 301 Madagascar

Mobile

+261 20 75 513 54

Website

http://www.madagascar-tourisme.com/component/content/article/6-actualites/202-tarif-du-train-fce

Email

[email protected]

Working hours

Monday :
Tuesday :
Wednesday :
Thursday :
Friday :
Saturday : 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Sunday :

Current local date and time now

Saturday, May 04, 2024, 5:44

User Ratings

3.5 based on (104 reviews)

Excellent

35%

Good

31%

Satisfactory

13%

Poor

Terrible

13%

Reviews

3Tour with ComeToMADA 5:00 PM Nov 2, 2022
Do it if and only if you are bold enough
That would be the second time that i have travel with the train of Manakara, departure at 7 in the morning the train was on time,,,you have to notice that it is avery old train, to make the 160 km to reach Manakara, includinng all several stop over all way down to the side it can take you 12 hours untill destination. The first time are grat adgventure, with a very green a smelly landscap due to vanilla an coffee plantantion while bloosom periode are coming.But as i said it is a very old train, i may break down somewhere in the middle of the jungle, and you have to wait untill they fixed it. Somehow i just recommand it to those who are bold enough, as mone our friend a local tour guide have recorde é' hours above the train to do the 160 km
3PeterE5 5:00 PM Feb 24, 2020
Good experience
I travelled in 1st class, which is a relative term in Madagascar. The carriage wasn't full and I had 4 seats to myself. The train left Fiarantsoa exactly on time at 7am and did not suffer any delays. The scenery after the first few stations was very good. The station stops were interesting and sometimes amusing, with numerous vendors selling mostly food. It is a good way to see some Malagasy rural and village life. As a 'faza' be prepared to do lots of waving. The train is not currently going all the way to Manakara. I transferred to a local vehicle that was extremely crowded and along an atrocious road until it met the Route Nationale.