Transportation in Tonga
The beautiful island of Tonga is best reached and traversed by Air or Sea. Your personal yacht will definitely come in handy for island hopping on the warm pacific waters. Public ferries operate between the main island groups. Once you reach an island the best way to get around is on your own two feet while enjoying the serenity of island life.
With 169 islands making up the Kingdom of Tonga, you will need a lot of time and strong sea legs to see them all!
Our Tonga Transportation Guide provides some insight in to the best ways to get to, from and around the scenic Kingdom of Tonga. We have a range of Tonga tours available that make travelling around, and seeing the Tonga tourist attractions a breeze.
Tonga Transportation Guide
Getting to Tonga
By Air
Tonga is serviced by three airlines:
Air Pacific Ltd - GSA Jones Travel & Tours - Telephone +676 26110, 26111 or 23423, Fax +676 25659 or 26145, Email: jtloffice@jonestravel.com.to
Air New Zealand - GSA Forum Travel - Telephone +676 23192, Fax +676 23447
Pacific Blue - Telephone +676 24566
From Fiji, Auckland & Sydney, all arrive at Fua'amotu International Airport.
Air Passes
Visit the South Pacific Pass: This pass is accepted by several airlines operating in the region, even large ones such as Air Marshall Islands, Air Niugini, Air Vanuatu, Qantas, Air Caledonie, Air Nauru, Air Pacific, Polynesian Airlines, and Solomon Airlines. The pass is sector based and offers discounts of up to 40% on standard airfares.
Travellers can hop around island destinations such as Vanuatu, the Cook Islands, Tonga, Fiji, Tahiti, Nauru, Samoa, New Caledonia, the rather remote Melanesian and Micronesian islands, and also the major cities of Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane in Australia, and Wellington, Christchurch, and Auckland in New Zealand.
The pass is for travellers who reside outside the South Pacific. The journey must begin outside this region and travellers are allowed just one stopover in Australia. At least two sectors must be purchased before the journey, while other sectors can be bought along the way. Each person is allowed one pass only and it is valid for six months, starting from the first day of the journey. Children below 12 years have to pay 75% of the full fare.
The South Pacific Tourism Organisation can be contacted for more information.
Departure Tax
Included in air tickets upon issuance
Main Airport
Fua'amotu (TBU) is located 13 km (8 miles) from Nuku'alofa.
To/from the Airport: Taxis and buses are available.
Facilities: The airport in Tonga is equipped with banks/bureau de change, bars, rental car services, shops, a duty free shop, and tourist information services.
Visit our partner Air Valid for Airline Reviews and Information about Tonga.
Flights to Tonga
By Water
Main ports: Pangai, Nuku'alofa, Niuatoputapu, and Neiafu.
Regular passenger services are not available, although cruise ships may have available berths.
Duty Free and Regulations
Goods that can be brought into Tonga by individuals above the age of 18 without having to pay customs duty are 250g of tobacco, 250g of cigars, or 200 cigarettes; 1 litre of alcoholic beverage (traveller must be above 21 years); one camera and personal belongings; and a reasonable amount of perfume.
Import of arms, ammunition, and pornographic materials is strictly prohibited.
Import of fruits, plants, birds, and animals are regulated by quarantine rules.
Restrictions exist on the export of valuable artefacts, certain flora, and fauna.
Getting Around Tonga
By Air
Inter-island services are provided by domestic carrier Chattams Pacific
By Water
All the island groups are connected by local Tonga ferry services. Regular services are available to Vava'u and Ha'apai from Faua Wharf in Nuku'alofa. Ferry schedules may change depending on the weather and demand.
Going on a cruise is a must while on a Tonga vacation. The best cruises in Tonga are around Vava'u. Cruising Tonga offers visitors an excellent opportunity to meet many village communities.
Another favoured tour is an ecotour in the neighbouring villages. To explore the marine caves and the mesmerizing coral reef, cross the rocky shoreline and hire a kayak. Kayaks carry all the equipment required for whale watching and snorkelling.
By Road
Left hand driving is the norm here. In spite of a few potholes, the metalled road network is pretty good. It is quite common to see people using horses too. Speed limits, which are quite low, are obeyed strictly.
Bus: Tongatapu is serviced by a good network of minibuses.
Taxi: Minibuses, and saloon-car taxis are available.
Documentation: To drive in Tonga, you must have a current local driving licence. It can be obtained from the Police Traffic Department in Nuku'alofa after paying the fee and presenting a passport, and a valid international or national licence. Individuals must be above 18 years to drive.
Transportation Companies
Chattams Pacific
Choose the comfort of Chattams Pacific's aircraft and reliable schedules built on a proud, 25-year heritage of customer service in the aviation industry.
Whether travelling for business or pleasure, Chattams Pacific's experienced and friendly staff will make your travel more enjoyable and provide you with the excellent service and convenience you deserve while flying in the Kingdom of ToFare discounts are available on Groups on our scheduled services.
Charter services and scenic flights can be provided for personal itineraries and request. Our baggage capacity allows a generous baggage limit of 20kgs per person. Infants fly free and also receive a 20kg baggage allowance.
The Chattams Pacific team has extensive experience with air freight and handling perishable goods such as agricultural and sea food products.
Domestic Air Carrier
Forum Travel Centre Vuna Road Tongatapu
+(676) 28000
Sales@ChattamsPacific.com
Tongatapu - Fiemalie Taxi
They can do any transfer for you anywhere in Tongatapu at a reasonable price. They are located at Ngele'ia which is near to the downtown area.
Taxi
Ngele'ia, Tongatapu.
+(676) 24270
Tongatapu - Holiday Taxi
Holiday taxi provides the best and safest taxi services in the Kingdom of Tonga. All the cars are clean and well air-conditioned. Their drivers are professional and in uniform so call our operator now and arrange for any transfer anywhere in Tongatapu.
Taxi
Fatafehi Road, Kolofo'ou, Tongatapu.
+(676) 25655 or +(676) 25169
Tongatapu - KL2 Autoport
If you are looking for a car to rent, KL2 Rental can supply you with different types of vehicles to take you anywhere in Tongatapu. The hiring policy is that customer's must have a rental license which is "D" only so he/she can hire out the car.
For hiring a car per day let's say $50.00. That's $60.00 per day and a deposit of $100.00 pa'anga on petrol, but that $100.00 is refundable when the car is returned back with a full tank.
We don't have a bond on the rental, just the $100.00 deposit for fuel. We take overseas licenses and at the same time they need to transfer it into a Tongan license if they need to hire a rental for a long term period.
Customer Advice: The person who will be driving is the only person who must sign our agreement form. If there is an accident or damage by the hirer he/she must pay the company an ADITIONAL $250.00 penalty for excess on Insurance.
Rental
Taufa'ahau Road, Koloua, Tongatapu.
(676) 30-221
(676) 29-858
kl2.rental@kl2.emjones.to
Tongatapu - Ngele'ia Taxi
Taxi
Ngele'ia, Tongatapu, Tonga.
+(676) 23112
Tongatapu - Nukunuku Bus
Bus
Hihifo Road, Nukunuku, Tongatapu.
+(676) 18607 or +(676)41409
samatoside@gmail.com
Vava'u - Transportation
Buses: Some accommodation venue offer airport transfers. There is a small charge if you are not a guest. Once in town, buses run from the markets to most parts of the island, leaving when full. They return in the early afternoon.
Ferries: The MV Olovaha travels once a week from Tongatapu to Vava'u, via Ha'afeva and Pangai in the Ha'apai group. It departs Nuku'alofa (Tongatapu) on Tuesday at 5pm, arriving at Vava'u on Wednesday at 5pm. Phone (676) 23853 email info@scptonga.com
Car Rentals: You will need to visit the Police Station on Tu'i Road to arrange a Tongan driving license, from 8.30am to 4.30pm on Monday to Tuesday, and 8.30am to 12.30pm on Wednesday to Friday.
Location Phone (676)
Pasifika Rental ----------- Neiafu ------------------ 70 781 / 12 628
Avis Rental ----------------- Neiafu ------------------ 70 873
Taxis
Liviela Taxi ----------------- Neiafu ------------------- 70 240
Lopaukamea Taxi ------- Neiafu ------------------- 70 153
New Hospital Taxi ------- Neiafu ------------------- 70 257
Taxi, Buses, Ferries, Car Rentals
Vava'u
Ha'apai - Transportation
Airport Bus Services: Most of the accommodation establishments in Ha'apai provide airport transfers. Two public buses run around Lifuka Island during the day, operating from 7am to 5pm. For more enquiries please contact the Tonga Visitors Bureau office in Pangai.
Ferry Services: MV Olovaha and MV Pulupaki operate between Tongatapu and Ha'apai once a week. The MV Olovaha departs from Nuku'alofa on Tuesday at 5pmm via Ha'afeva and arriving in Pangai on Wednesday at 6.30am.
Bike Hire: You can hire bikes for exploring from Billy's Place, phone (676) 60336, Matafonua Lodge phone (676) 69766, and Fifita Guest House, phone (676) 60213
Bus
Ha'apai
'Eua - Transportation
Visiting 'Eua lets you enjoy one of the shortest passenger flights in the world - in just 8 minutes from Nuku'alofa, you will be standing at 'Eua's airport. By contrast, the ferry takes about 2 hours. Most of the guesthouses offer airport transfers, although taxis, still rare on 'Eua, are also available.
There is only one bus service from Houma to Ha'atu'a (mainly for school children) but you shouldn't have any problems hitching rides (note: palm down rather than precautions apply). Elsewhere you'll probably have to walk as there's very little traffic. Your accommodation hosts will be able to assist with transport to sights and trails. Most guesthouses will organise horse hire (with blankets for padding rather than saddles) or mountain bike hire (with pedal brakes). These activities provide a bit of income for locals renting out their own horses and bikes.
Taxi, Buses, Bike hire, Horse hire
'Ohonua 'Eua
