The Cost of Renting a Car in Tonga: Full Cost Breakdown

The Cost of Car Rental in Tonga

Can you afford to rent a car in Tonga? With more and more car rental companies popping up across The Kingdom, offering a wider range of vehicles, you’re bound to find something that’s convenient. From small compact cars to premium SUVs, there’s something for every style and budget. Check out the typical rental rates of different types of vehicles in our guide, as well as other associated costs of vehicle rental, in this guide to the cost of renting a car in Tonga.

3 Tips for Making Your Car Rental Budget for Tonga

Before we get started on the cost of car rental in Tonga, here are a few quick tips and things to consider when making your car rental budget.

Daily rental rates are often lower if hiring for 7+ days
Having your car delivered to Tongatapu or Vava’u Airport costs about the same as an airport transfer
Have plenty of cash available; not only do many car rental companies, especially on the outer islands, only accept cash but a cash bond (usually around TOP$200) is pretty standard.

While you’re here, don’t forget to check out the 10 Ways to Save Money on Car Rental in Tonga for more ways to save on car hire.

How Much Does it Cost to Rent a Car in Tonga?

The Price of Budget Cars

Budget cars are a popular category of rental vehicles in Tonga for obvious reasons. Most of the roads that visitors use are well-maintained and journeys are relatively short, making your standard town or touring car suitable.

Even car rental companies with the smallest fleets have compact cars available, which will be their cheapest type of vehicle to rent. Larger car rental companies will have vehicles split into categories and the “budget” category is likely to be either compact cars and/or old models. The latter may come with a few minor issues; a window that doesn’t open properly, a faulty radio, etc. Although it’s unlikely that the vehicle will break down, as rental vehicles are usually maintained to a higher standard than personal vehicles, it’s more of a risk with old models. With this in mind, you may want to consider a company that also offers roadside assistance.

The Cost of Hiring a Compact Car

The typical compact car in Tonga is a Honda Fit, Toyota Yaris, Toyota Vitz or something similar. Daily rates are usually TOP$50-$70.

The Cost of Hiring a Medium Car

Medium-sized cars, such as a Toyota Harrier, Toyota Corolla or something similar cost between TOP$100 to TOP$120 per day.

The Price of SUVs and 4WDs

SUVs (sports utility vehicles) are a popular category of vehicles for rent in Tonga. With high clearance, these vehicles can tackle just about any road you’re likely to find yourself on in Tonga, as some access roads to attractions such as Hufangalupe Beach on Tonagtapu or the Lakufa’anga Cliffs on ‘Eua, for example, are better suited for these types of vehicles.

Unless you’re getting well and truly off the beaten track, or tackling the access roads to attractions in the ‘Eua National Park, you will unlikely need a 4WD in Tonga. But if it’s for the street cred, then by all means…

The Cost of Hiring an SUV

More robust cars like SUVs, with models such as a Toyota Rav4, Honda CRV, Nissan X-Trails or something similar, have a daily rate of approximately TOP$120-$200.

The Cost of Hiring a 4WD

If you’re planning to get off the beaten track, get extra control with a 4WD vehicle, such as a Toyota Hilux, Mitsubishi Pajero Jr or something similar. Daily rates range from TOP$170-$300.

The Price of Vans

If you have a whole tribe to move, people movers and minivans are also available to hire in abundance in Tonga. People movers usually sit 6-8 people, while vans typically sit 10-16.

The Cost of Hiring a People-Mover

For a people-mover, such as a Toyota Voxy, Toyota Alphard or something similar, expect a daily rate of around TOP$150.

The Cost of Hiring a Minivan

Typical minivans in Tonga are models such as Toyota Hiace. The daily rate for hiring a minivan is around TOP$150-$300.

Additional Costs of Hiring a Car

Of course, hiring a vehicle doesn’t just include the daily rate. There are other costs to keep in mind, such as the mandatory cost of fuel. There are also optional extras, such as airport delivery and, in the limited cases where available, baby seats and insurance excess reduction.

Note that there will likely be some inclusions in your car rental that are free, such as unlimited kilometres and roadside assistance.

Petrol/litre – TOP$3.60-$3.90
Diesel/litre – TOP$3.90-$4.40
Airport delivery (Tongatapu, Vava’u) – TOP$50-$60
Airport/wharf delivery (‘Eua) – FREE
Nuku’alofa delivery (Tongatapu) – Free
Insurance/day – TOP$25 (if available)
Baby seat/day – TOP$0-$25 (if available)
Unlimited kilometres – FREE
Roadside assistance – FREE (if available)
Bond (refundable) – TOP$200-$500.

How Much Does it Cost to Rent a Car in Tonga?

So how much does it cost to rent a car in Tonga? In other words, how much should you budget for? Below, we have calculated some approximate prices for renting a car in Tonga across three different durations.

How Much is it to Hire a Car for a Day in Tonga?

Car rental for just one day in Tonga is approximately TOP$70-$120 per day (the price of a compact car or a budget SUV).

Additional mandatory costs to take into consideration:

Fuel tank top-up at the end of your trip – Our experience shows that this roughly comes to TOP$31-$33 if travelling approximately 100 km (60 mi), such as a loop around Tongatapu or Vava’u.

Total: Combining all the costs above, you can expect to pay TOP$100-$155 for your transportation in Tonga for one day in a compact car or old SUV. This does not include any additional services like vehicle delivery, insurance, etc.

How Much is it to Hire a Car for Five in Tonga?

Compact car and budget SUV car rental in Tonga is approximately TOP$350-$600 for five days (that’s TOP$70-$120 per day).

Additional mandatory costs to take into consideration:

Fuel tank top-up at the end of your trip – Our experience shows that this roughly comes to TOP$62-$66 if travelling approximately 200 km (120 mi) around Tongatapu or Vava’u.

Total: Combining all the costs above, you can expect to pay TOP$415-$670 for your transportation in Tonga for 5 days in a compact car or an old SUV. This does not include any additional services like vehicle delivery, insurance, etc.

How Much is it to Hire a Car for a Week in Tonga?

Compact car and budget SUV car rental in Tonga is approximately TOP$420-$720 for seven days (that’s TOP$70-$120 per day minus the common “rent 7 get 1 day free/pay for 6 days” deal that many companies offer).

Additional mandatory costs to take into consideration:

Fuel tank top-up at the end of your trip – Our experience shows that this roughly comes to TOP$92-$99 if travelling approximately 300 km (186 mi) around Tongatapu or Vava’u.

Total: Combining all the costs above, you can expect to pay TOP$515-$820 for your transportation in Tonga for 7 days in a compact car or an old SUV.

More About the Cost of Renting a Car in Tonga

That’s it for our guide to the cost of renting a car in Tonga and a cull cost breakdown. For more about renting a car in Tonga, take a look at more of our insightful guides:

Plus, if there are any costs we missed, you’re likely to find them in Tonga Travel Budget: How Much Does a Trip to Tonga Cost?

Author

Laura (Lola) S.

This article was reviewed and published by Laura, editor in chief and co-founder of Tonga Pocket Guide. Since arriving solo in the South Pacific over 10 years ago with nothing but a backpack and a background in journalism, her mission has been to show the world how easy (and awesome) it is to explore a paradise such as Tonga. She knows the islands inside-out and loves sharing tips on how best to experience Tonga’s must-dos and hidden gems. Laura is also editor of several other South Pacific travel guides.

Contact Laura via our contact page