Antarctica > 🇹🇫 The French Southern Territories
The city by city Car or no Car advice for The French Southern Territories can be broken down into three similar questions - do you need a car in The French Southern Territories; is it worth it (based on costs), and ultimately - should you rent one? (a balance of the two).🚆 🚌⛴️ Do we need to rent a car in The French Southern Territories?
These scores are based on the quality of public transport and other travel options. If these are good enough to see the main points of interest, then you don’t need to rent a car.
💰💶💳 Is it worth hiring a car in The French Southern Territories?
These scores reflect the practical factors that affect whether renting a car is convenient, good value, and stress-free.🏙️ Main Cities in The French Southern Territories
| CITY | IATA | Score |
|---|
Should You Rent a Car in the French Southern Territories? 🚗🧊
The French Southern Territories are among the most remote places on Earth. They are not open to independent tourism, and no rental cars, taxis, or public transportation exist. Travel is extremely restricted and only possible with official clearance as part of scientific, military, or logistical missions.
🚫 When You Don’t Need a Car
| Location | Why a Car Isn’t Needed | Transport Available |
|---|---|---|
| All districts (Kerguelen, Crozet, Amsterdam Island, Adélie Land) | No roads for public use | On foot only |
| Research bases | Movement is limited to scientific teams | Walking or utility vehicles (staff only) |
| Coastlines | Access only by ship or helicopter (restricted) | Government vessels only |
➡ The islands have no rental agencies, no highways, and no towns to drive between. Movement is by foot in strictly designated zones.
🚗 When Renting a Car Is Not Possible
There are no locations anywhere in the French Southern Territories where you can rent a vehicle or drive for tourism purposes. The terrain consists of volcanic mountains, glaciers, tundra, and rocky coastlines with no public infrastructure.
| Feature | Availability |
|---|---|
| Car rental | ❌ No |
| Taxis or buses | ❌ No |
| Road networks | ❌ No |
| Private vehicle hire | ❌ No |
🚢 How People Actually Move Around
Movement is restricted to those with scientific or logistical clearance, and transport is arranged by the French government:
| Method | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Research vessels | Access from Réunion Island |
| Helicopters | Cargo and mission transport |
| On foot | Movement around research bases |
🧭 Conclusion
There is no possibility of renting a car or driving in the French Southern Territories. These islands and Antarctic lands are not open to tourism, and transportation is strictly controlled by the French government for scientific and environmental purposes. If you are not part of an official research or mission team, you cannot visit—let alone drive—anywhere in these territories.
