Getting Around French Polynesia
Transportation Strategy
Island Hopping: Use domestic flights for Society Islands. Main Islands: Rent a car on Tahiti and Moorea. Remote Atolls: Ferries and private boats. For convenience, book airport transfers from Papeete to your resort.
Inter-Island Flights
Air Tahiti Domestic Network
Reliable prop plane service connecting Tahiti, Moorea, Bora Bora, and other islands with multiple daily flights.
Cost: Papeete to Bora Bora XPF 25,000-40,000, flights 45-60 minutes between main islands.
Tickets: Book via Air Tahiti app, website, or airport counters. Online check-in available 48 hours prior.
Peak Times: Avoid high season (June-Oct) mornings for lower fares and availability.
Air Pass Options
Multi-island passes like the Air Tahiti Pass offer 3-7 inter-island flights from XPF 50,000-100,000, saving 20-30%.
Best For: Island-hopping itineraries over 7-10 days, ideal for 4+ destinations.
Where to Buy: Air Tahiti website, Papeete airport, or travel agents with itinerary validation required.
Charter & Seaplanes
Private charters or seaplane services to remote atolls like Rangiroa or private lagoons from XPF 100,000+ per flight.
Booking: Arrange through resorts or operators like Air Moorea, book 1-2 weeks ahead for groups.
Main Hubs: Faa'a Airport (PPT) in Papeete serves as the primary departure point for all domestic flights.
Car Rental & Driving
Renting a Car
Ideal for exploring Tahiti's interior and Moorea’s coastal roads. Compare rental prices from XPF 5,000-10,000/day at Faa'a Airport and resort areas.
Requirements: Valid international license, credit card, minimum age 21 with surcharges for under 25.
Insurance: Full coverage essential due to narrow roads, includes collision damage waiver.
Driving Rules
Drive on the right, speed limits: 40 km/h urban, 60 km/h rural, 90 km/h on Tahiti's ring road.
Tolls: No tolls on islands, but fuel is expensive at XPF 200-220/liter.
Priority: Yield to pedestrians and cyclists, roundabouts common—yield to traffic already circling.
Parking: Free in most areas outside Papeete, secure lots at resorts XPF 1,000/day.
Fuel & Navigation
Fuel stations limited outside Papeete, prices XPF 200/liter for petrol, available 7 AM-7 PM.
Apps: Google Maps or Maps.me for offline navigation, essential for remote island roads.
Traffic: Congestion rare, but watch for livestock and potholes on secondary roads.
Urban Transport
Papeete Le Truck Buses
Iconic open-air buses circling Tahiti, single fare XPF 150, all-day pass XPF 500, run 5:30 AM-6 PM.
Validation: Pay cash to driver upon boarding, exact change preferred, no transfers needed.
Apps: Limited, but use Google Maps for routes; buses stop on signal along main roads.
Scooter & Bike Rentals
Scooters popular on Moorea and Tahiti from XPF 3,000-5,000/day, helmets mandatory.
Routes: Scenic coastal paths ideal for biking, rentals at hotels and airports.
Tours: Guided e-bike tours in Papeete and Bora Bora for lagoon exploration.
Ferries & Local Boats
Terevau ferry between Tahiti and Moorea (XPF 1,500 one-way, 30 min), plus cargo ferries to Tuamotus.
Tickets: Buy online or at dock, XPF 2,000-5,000 for longer routes like to Huahine.
Shuttle Services: Resort shuttles and private boats for inter-atoll transfers, book ahead.
Accommodation Options
Accommodation Tips
- Location: Choose resorts with airport shuttles on remote islands, central Papeete for urban access.
- Booking Timing: Reserve 3-6 months ahead for dry season (May-Oct) and events like Heiva festival.
- Cancellation: Opt for flexible policies due to weather disruptions from cyclones or flights.
- Amenities: Confirm WiFi, meal plans, and boat transfers before booking remote properties.
- Reviews: Focus on recent feedback (last 6 months) for service, cleanliness, and island logistics.
Communication & Connectivity
Mobile Coverage & eSIM
Strong 4G on main islands like Tahiti and Bora Bora, spotty in remote atolls with 2G/3G fallback.
eSIM Options: Instant setup with Airalo or Yesim from XPF 1,000 for 1GB, perfect for island hopping.
Activation: Download before travel, activate on arrival; roaming from international plans works on Tahiti.
Local SIM Cards
Vini and Digicel provide prepaid SIMs from XPF 2,000-5,000 with island-wide coverage where available.
Where to Buy: Faa'a Airport, post offices, or supermarkets; passport needed for registration.
Data Plans: 5GB for XPF 3,000, 10GB for XPF 5,000, top-ups via app or vouchers.
WiFi & Internet
Free WiFi in resorts, cafes, and Papeete public areas; slower speeds (5-20 Mbps) on outer islands.
Public Hotspots: Airports and marinas offer free access, but secure for sensitive use.
Speed: Adequate for emails and maps, but video streaming may buffer in remote spots.
Practical Travel Information
- Time Zone: Tahiti Time (TAHT), UTC-10, no daylight saving; varies by archipelago (e.g., Marquesas UTC-9.5).
- Airport Transfers: Faa'a Airport (PPT) 15km from Papeete, taxi XPF 2,000 (20 min), shuttle XPF 1,500, or book private transfer for XPF 3,000-5,000.
- Luggage Storage: Available at Faa'a Airport (XPF 1,000/day) and resort concierges for day trips.
- Accessibility: Limited on small islands, but major resorts offer wheelchair access and boat ramps.
- Pet Travel: Restricted on flights and ferries, check airline policies; quarantine required for entry.
- Bike/Scooter Transport: Allowed on ferries for XPF 500, rentals easier than transporting between islands.
Flight Booking Strategy
Getting to French Polynesia
Faa'a International Airport (PPT) in Papeete is the main gateway. Compare flight prices on Aviasales, Trip.com, or Expedia for the best deals from major cities worldwide.
Main Airports
Faa'a International (PPT): Primary hub on Tahiti, direct flights from US, Europe, and Australia.
Bora Bora (BOB): Domestic airport 45 min flight from Papeete, connects to resorts by boat.
Rangiroa (RGI): Key atoll airport for diving spots, small prop planes only.
Booking Tips
Book 3-6 months ahead for dry season (May-Oct) to save 20-40% on long-haul fares.
Flexible Dates: Mid-week departures (Tue-Thu) often cheaper; consider stopovers in LA or Sydney.
Alternative Routes: Fly via Auckland or Tokyo for potential savings on multi-leg journeys.
Airlines & Charters
Air Tahiti Nui, Air France, and United serve international routes; domestic via Air Tahiti.
Important: Include baggage fees (up to 23kg free) and inter-island connections in total costs.
Check-in: Online 24-48 hours prior, arrive 3 hours early for international flights.
Transportation Comparison
Money Matters on the Road
- ATMs: Available in Papeete and main resorts, fees XPF 500-1,000; use bank machines to minimize charges.
- Credit Cards: Visa and Mastercard widely accepted at resorts, cash preferred in markets and small vendors.
- Contactless Payment: Growing in urban areas, Apple Pay supported at larger hotels and shops.
- Cash: Essential for ferries, tips, and remote islands; carry XPF 10,000-20,000 in small notes.
- Tipping: Not customary but appreciated; 5-10% at restaurants, XPF 500 for porters.
- Currency Exchange: Use Wise for best rates, avoid airport kiosks with high spreads.