Which Car Hire to Choose in Vava’u
Explore Vava’u at your own pace by hiring a car! Hiring a car makes it easy to stay out of town at one of Vava’u’s idyllic accommodations, yet you’re never too far from the essential services and activities in Neiafu. You’ll also be able to check out attractions like the Veimumuni Caves and the various beaches of the main island. Admittedly, car rental companies in Vava’u are limited with limited fleets. Nevertheless, they are utterly affordable and well worth considering if you prefer to travel independently. We compare them all in this guide to car rentals in Vava’u!
Note that no insurance, vehicles with dents, and cash-only payments are all kind of common in Vava’u. For these and similar nuances of Tonga’s car rental industry, we advise you to take a look at The Guide to Car Hire in Tonga so you know what to expect.
5 Things to Look For When Comparing Car Rentals in Vava’u
Before we dive into our comparison of the car hires in Vava’u, know what to look for with these car rental comparison tips.
1. Prices and Inclusions
Car rental companies in Vava’u have very few inclusions beyond the vehicle itself. Where they do differ, however, is their daily rental rates. For further costs to consider for your car rental, check out the 10 Ways to Save Money on Car Rental in Tonga.
2. Vehicles Offered
Vava’u’s car rental companies are limited with limited but varied fleets. The size of your vehicle will matter depending on how many people are travelling in the vehicle. Due to recent road upgrades to the major sights of Vava’u, a 4WD is no longer necessary. Learn more about what it is like to drive in our guide, How to Drive in Tonga.
3. Service
Once you have picked one or two car rental companies to compare, give them a phone call and ask them a few questions. See how helpful they are in their answers. This little test will give you an idea of how helpful the company will be should anything go wrong during your trip.
4. Payment Options
Nowadays, not everyone wants to have a credit card; not even car rental companies! Note that most car rental companies require a bond in cash (around TOP$200), some will accept card payments for the rental fee, while others only accept cash. Double-check which car rental companies accept other payment methods and be sure to have enough cash. Learn more about where to get cash out in Neiafu in our guide to Information, Shops & Services in Vava’u. Plus, learn more about paying for things in What is The Best Way to Pay in Tonga?
5. Location
Location is important if you’re hoping to hire a vehicle straight off the ferry or close to your accommodation. Some will deliver a vehicle to the wharf or airport.
(c) tongapocketguide.comTropicana Rentals (Tropo Rentals)
Tropicana Rentals, also known as Tropo Rentals, offers the widest range of rental vehicles in Vava’u, from small affordable cars to sturdy 4WDs. They even offer scooter hire and mountain bike hire, should you want to explore Vava’u in an alternative way. Opt for their convenient accommodation and airport drop-off for multi-day hires, making them an ideal option should you be sticking in Vava’u for a while. Baby seats are available. The rentals are based out of Cafe Tropicana, which is also a good source of tourist information.
Pick-Up and Drop-Off Locations
Pick-up and drop-off services are available for Vava’u accommodation or Lupepauʻu Airport for multi-day hires. Based in Neiafu at Cafe Tropicana.
Vehicles Available
Vehicles offered by Tropicana Rentals are models from around 2015 and include:
- Daihatsu Terios
- Toyota Nissan Note
- Toyota Passo
- Honda Fit
- Toyota Rav4
- Toyota 4Runner
- Toyota Voxy
- 90 cc scooters
- Mountain bikes – Learn more in Where to Rent Bicycles in Tonga.
Approximate Price
Prices are subject to change. Cars with Tropicana Rentals start from approximately TOP$55 per day. Payment is cash or card.
Insurance
No insurance is available. A bond is taken for all vehicle rentals via cash of around TOP$200 until the vehicle is returned. Damage fees will be negotiated with the rental operator. It’s best to be honest if something is broken.
© TongaPocketGuide.comVava’u Lahi Car Rentals
Boasting some of the newest rental vehicles in Vava’u, Vava’u Lahi Car Rentals is a worthy option for a reliable vehicle. Their fleet of around four vehicles includes snazzy compact cars, as well as a more spacious and robust SUV. Vava’u Lahi operates out of the Puataukanave Hotel, which also provides boat tours, whale tours, and hotel and backpacker accommodations. They are also just about the only car rental company in Vava’u with some sort of car rental insurance for renters.
Pick-Up and Drop-Off Locations
Pick-up and drop-off services to Lupepauʻu Airport (or transfers to their depot) are offered for a fee of approximately TOP$50 one way. Otherwise, Vava’u Lahi is based at the Puataukanave Hotel on the Neiafu waterfront.
Vehicles Available
Vehicles offered by Vava’u Lahi Car Rentals include Mazda Demio compact cars and a Mazda CX5 SUV. Vehicle models are 2014-16.
Approximate Price
Prices are subject to change. Cars with Vava’u Lahi Car Rentals cost approximately TOP$100 per day for compact cars and TOP$200 for SUVs. Payment is cash or card.
Insurance
An insurance excess reduction is available for approximately TOP$50. A bond is taken for all vehicle rentals via cash of around TOP$200 until the vehicle is returned. Damage fees are as stated on the car rental agreement.
© TongaPocketGuide.comCoconut Car Rentals
Offering a small fleet of affordable car rentals, Coconut Car Rentals is worth considering for getting around Vava’u. Choose from a couple of spacious and easy-to-drive Suzuki or a Jaguar or opt for something more robust, such as the Ford Explorer. Not that you’ll be able to use the latter to its fullest abilities, as the rental agreement forbids you to take vehicles off-roading. Nevertheless, the cars, with both manual and automatic options, provide a vehicle for what most visitors want to do in Vava’u. What’s more, the team as Coconut Car Rentals can drop off vehicles to most places tourists stay in Vava’u.
Pick-Up and Drop-Off Locations
Courtesy pick-up and drop-off services in Neiafu are offered. Pick-up and drop-off at Lupepauʻu Airport, ‘Utungake Island and Talihau are available by arrangement. Depot based in Toula village.
Vehicles Available
Vehicles offered by Coconut Car Rentals include a Ford Explorer SUV, a Suzuki compact car, and a Jaguar medium car.
Approximate Price
Prices are subject to change. Cars with Coconut Car Rentals cost approximately TOP$70-$100 per day. Payment is cash only. Discounts are available if staying at Coconut Car Rentals’ accommodation, Pineapple Bungalows – learn more about the accommodation in the 5 Best Holiday Homes in Vava’u.
Insurance
No insurance is available. A bond is taken for all vehicle rentals via cash of around TOP$500 (cash only) until the vehicle is returned. Damage fees will be negotiated with the rental operator. It’s best to be honest if something is broken.
© TongaPocketGuide.comMing Gui Gua (Elim) Car Rentals
Ming Gui Gua Car Rentals, or Elim Rentals, has the largest fleet of vehicles in Vava’u with around 20 vehicles. Rental agreements are pretty simple; pay the daily rate and the bond and you’re good to go. However, the only vehicles we’ve seen have visible damage, such as dents and cracks across the windscreens, so do with that information what you will.
Pick-Up and Drop-Off Locations
They are based at the Elim Hotel and Shopping Centre, Tu’i Road, Neiafu.
Vehicles Available
Vehicles offered by Elim Car Rentals range from Honda Fit compact cars to Suzuki minivans.
Approximate Price
Prices are subject to change. Cars with Elim Rentals cost approximately TOP$80-$100 per day for compact to medium cars and TOP$150-$200 for minivans. Payment is cash only.
Insurance
No insurance is available. A bond is taken for all vehicle rentals via cash of around TOP$200 (cash only) until the vehicle is returned. Damage fees will be negotiated with the rental operator. Note that vehicles are already likely to be damaged, so be sure to take photos upon pick-up for your records in case they try to charge you for the damage.
© TongaPocketGuide.comOther Car Rentals in Vava’u
Like many local businesses in Tonga, there are some car rentals in Vava’a that are a bit off the radar. They are a more face-to-face business that you’ll be able to organise once you arrive on the islands.
Some alternative car rental options in Vava’u include:
- Vailmalo Fales (two rental cars for guests – Toyota and Honda hatchbacks for around TOP$60 per day)
- Ilena’s Rental (based out of Marlene’s Motel, cars around TOP$50 per day)
- ‘Ana Tevunga Rental (Liviela Street, Vava’u).
Learn more about the accommodations mentioned in the 10 Best Self-Catering Accommodations in Vava’u and Where to Stay in Vava’u.
More About Car Rentals in Vava’u and Tonga
That’s it for our list of the best car rentals in Vava’u. For more about driving in Tonga, take a look at the following:
- The Driving Times in Tonga You Need to Know
- 10 Safety Tips for Driving in Tonga
- 10 Best Car Rentals in Tonga
Finally, if there’s anything we’ve missed, you’re likely to find it in The Guide to Car Hire in Tonga.
