A Guide to Airport Transport in Tonga
How do you get between your accommodation and the airports in Tonga? You have two main options: taxis and accommodation shuttles/transfers. A small number of tour operators also offer airport transfer services. Your airport transfer options are further reduced once you arrive on the outer islands. Compare the experiences and locations of each type of airport transfer in this guide to your airport transfer options for Tonga.
Before we jump into this guide to Tonga’s airport transfers, be sure to bookmark our Tonga Transport Guide: 10 Ways to Get Around Tonga for even more transport tips.
7 Quick Airport Transfer Tips
- Ask the fare before getting into a taxi, as most taxis don’t have meters
- Taxis are only available in Tongatapu and Vava’u; Vava’u taxis may need to be booked before or on arrival
- Check with your accommodation if they offer airport transfers
- Accommodation airport transfers should be explicitly arranged before arrival, as this is not typically an included service
- On ‘Eua and Ha’apai, transfers provided by your accommodation are your only airport transfers
- Taxis and shuttles are clearly signposted outside of the arrivals area at Fua’amotu Airport
- Taxis are available to transport you between Fua’amotu’s international and domestic terminals.
(c) tongapocketguide.comAirport Taxis
Taxis are the obvious go-to when it comes to airport transport. They enthusiastically wait outside of Fua’amotu Airport on Tongatapu and sometimes at Lupepauʻu Airport in Vava’u – but not always, so it’s best to book Vava’u taxis before or on arrival.
How to Book an Airport Taxi
For the return trip to the airport, you can call taxis to book them or get your accommodation or the local Visitor Information Centre to book taxis on your behalf. Note that if you ask some guesthouses to book you a taxi, a lot of the time they will get a family member with a car. Just pay the rate asked. Alternatively, taxi stands can be found in the town centres of Nuku’alofa (Tongatapu) and Neiafu (Vava’u) – see The Complete Guide to Taxis in Tonga to learn about their locations and taxi listings and get a complete guide on how taxis work.
How Much Does an Airport Taxi Cost?
What is the price of an airport taxi? It depends on your destination, so check out How Much Does a Tonga Airport Taxi Cost? to get an idea of airport taxi prices across Tongatapu and Vava’u.
© TongaPocketGuide.comAccommodation Transfers
Most accommodations on all island groups offer some sort of airport transfer to transport guests between the airport and their resort/guesthouse. This might also involve transport over water in boats, as well as overland in cars or minivans sometimes shared with other guests.
How to Book an Airport Transfer Through Your Accommodation
Accommodation transfers need to be arranged before arrival, where one of the accommodation’s drivers will be waiting for you at the appropriate airport. Note that some accommodations, especially in Vava’u, may arrange a partner taxi driver for airport transfers instead. If you have already paid for the transfer when booking your accommodation (which is usually the case), you do not pay the driver as well – unless you want to give them a tip.
How to Take an Airport Transfer Arranged by Your Accommodation
When taking an airport transfer arranged by an accommodation, some drivers will wait outside of the airport’s arrivals area with a sign, usually stating the name of the accommodation (so it’s a good idea to know where you are staying – yes, we’re serious, some people don’t!) Feel free to ask the driver to stop at grocery stores on the way to your accommodation should you need to pick up supplies, this is relatively common.
The Cost of Accommodation Airport Transfers
Needless to say, the closer to the airport the accommodation is located, the cheaper the transfer will be. For instance, airport transfers arranged by accommodations on ‘Eua are much cheaper than resorts based on the outer islands of Vava’u. Get an idea of airport/accommodations costs in our guide, The Cheapest Airport Transfer Options in Tonga.
Plus, get an idea of the type of transport you may be taking based on each island group:
(c) tongapocketguide.comAirport Transfer Shuttle Service
Currently, only Tongatapu has tour operators that offer airport transfer services.
Teta Tours & Travel offers airport transfers between Fua’amotu Airport and anywhere on Tongatapu. You can book and pay for the airport online rather than with cash as you would with a taxi. Prices are marginally more expensive than taxis, without the hassle of trying to find a “good deal” on a cab once you arrive.
- Book your airport transfer from Fua’amotu Airport to your Tongatapu destination here.
- Book your airport transfer from your destination to Fua’amotu Airport here.
Plus, learn more about Teta Tours’ sightseeing tours in the 10 Best Sightseeing Tours in Tonga.
© TongaPocketGuide.comCar Rental Delivery
Another way to ensure your transport is waiting for you on arrival is to have your rental car delivered to the airport. This service is provided by almost all car rental companies in Tongatapu, ‘Eua and Vava’u.
How Do Car Rental Deliveries Work in Tonga?
Car rental vehicles will deliver your vehicle to the local airport for a one-way fee. A representative from the car rental company will be waiting at the arrivals area (or, at Fua’amotu Airport, where “car rentals” is signposted) to go through the pick-up process with you. Some companies are more thorough in their process than others; most will go through a rental agreement to sign, while others will just hand you the keys. Make sure you have the security bond in cash (typically TOP$200).
How to Book a Car Rental Delivery
Car rental delivery to the airport must be arranged with your chosen car rental company before arrival. Browse car rental companies in the 10 Best Car Rentals in Tonga and learn more about how car rental works in What You Need to Hire a Car in Tonga.
How Much Does a Car Rental Delivery Cost?
Car rental deliveries are similar in price to a taxi transfer, so car rental is a valid option economically. Compare both transport methods in Should You Rent a Car or Use a Taxi in Tonga? and compare costs in The Cheapest Airport Transfer Options in Tonga.
More About Tonga Airport Transfers
That’s it for our list of the different types of airport transfers in Tonga. Now that you know how to get an airport transfer, here are more articles to help get around The Kingdom.
- The Cheapest Airport Transfer Options in Tonga
- How Much Does a Tonga Airport Taxi Cost?
- How to Book a Cheap Flight to Tonga
Finally, if there’s anything we’ve missed, you’re likely to find it in our Tonga Transport Guide: 10 Ways to Get Around Tonga.
