A Guide to Public Transportation in Tonga

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Buses in Tonga

Tongatapu is relatively well-connected with a local bus network, with buses servicing the west side of the island, the east side and around Nuku’alofa. Buses operate between 7 am and 5 pm Monday to Friday and finish earlier on Saturday, with approximately three buses running each route. However, note that you should return from your destination outside of Nuku’alofa by 3 pm if you want to make it back into town.

Bus travel in Tonga is the cheapest form of public transportation, where fares are between TOP$0.80-$3.50 per person. Buses are old vehicles exported from China and provide a real slice of life in Tonga.

Find out more about taking the bus with our complete guide, The Bus in Tonga: Bus Fares, Routes & More. Plus, get advice for taking the bus in our 10 Tips for Taking the Bus in Tonga.

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Taxis in Tonga

Taxis provide another way of getting around Tongatapu and Vava’u. Taxis in Tonga can be identified by the “T” at the front of the registration plate, as well as by most having a “taxi” sign on the roof of the vehicle.

Most taxis don’t run on meters, usually having set fares for certain routes. Ask the going rate before accepting a ride. A-to-B trips are relatively affordable, but full-day sightseeing can be pricey unless you can get a group together to split the cost. You can check out typical taxi fares in Taxi Prices in Tonga: The Costs You Need to Know.

Taxis can be found at the airport terminals on Tongatapu, as well as at taxi stands in the town centres of Nuku’alofa and Neiafu. The best way to book a taxi, however, is to call a taxi company.

Find out more about taxi transport in The Guide to Taxis in Tonga, as well as hiring taxi drivers in How to Hire a Driver in Tonga.

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Ferries in Tonga

With 169 islands and five different island groups, much transport in Tonga involves travelling over water. One of the public transport options for overwater travel is the ferry service.

Ferries travel to every island group in Tonga. With island groups being scattered quite far apart from each other, ferry journeys are a multi-hour process. The shortest trip is between Tongatapu and ‘Eua at around two hours, while one of the longest trips is some 16+ hours between Tongatapu and Vava’u.

For overwater travel, the ferries are the cheapest transport method. There are passenger fares for the ferries, as well as cabins on some vessels. Although you can take vehicles onto ferries, car rental companies in Tonga will generally not allow you to take vehicles between islands.

Learn more about what the different types of ferries are, where they go and how much they cost in The Guide to Interisland Ferry Travel in Tonga.

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Flights in Tonga

Your alternative overwater transport option is flying between island groups. Flights in Tonga operate daily, except for Sundays. There is one domestic carrier available.

Flights are a quicker and more comfortable way to get between islands, taking approximately one hour to fly between Tongatapu and Vava’u, for instance. However, this does come at a more significant price compared to taking the ferry.

Flights are frequent between Tongatapu, Ha’apai, ‘Eua and Vava’u. Flights to The Niuas, however, are less frequent and require bookings months in advance. It’s also important to note that flights are often delayed or cancelled in Tonga, so you should avoid connecting a domestic flight with an international flight departing Tonga.

For more information about domestic flights and Tonga’s only airline, check out The Guide to Domestic Flights in Tonga.