Can You Rent a Motorcycle in Tonga?

The closest vehicles to motorcycles that you can hire in Tonga are scooters, otherwise known as mopeds.

Where to Hire a Scooter in Tonga

Scooters are available to hire in the island group of Tongatapu. Find out more about these scooter-hire companies in Scooter Hire in Tonga: Where to Rent, Cost & More.

Scooter Hire Inclusions

Scooter rentals in Tonga typically come with the following inclusions:

• A full tank of fuel
• A helmet
• Unlimited kilometres

Note that insurance is not usually included, so you will need to organise your own through your credit card or travel insurer if desired.

What Types of Scooters are Available in Tonga?

The scooters available in Tonga are 49-90 cc scooters, so are usually easy to drive. Get advice on driving scooters in Tonga in the 10 Tips for Riding a Scooter in Tonga.

To hire a scooter or any motor vehicle in Tonga, you will need to have either a full valid driving license from a visitor visa-exempt country or a Visitor’s Driving License. With the correct overseas license, you are allowed to drive in Tonga for up to 12 months, while the Visitor's Driving License allows you to drive in Tonga for up to three months.

Learn about the application process for Visitor's Driving Licenses in How to Get a Tonga Visitor’s Driving License.

Although the legal driving age in Tonga is 18 years old, most vehicle rental companies will only hire to those aged over 18 years and over.

Travellers wishing to hire a vehicle will also need to be prepared to pay a bond, which can either be in cash, preauthorised with a credit card, or some scooter rental companies prefer to hold onto your passport while you hire the vehicle. The bond/passport will be returned to you upon return of the vehicle providing there is no damage to the vehicle.

So maybe your dream of road-tripping around Tonga on a motorbike isn’t coming true anytime soon, and perhaps scooters are not quite your style. What other ways can you enjoy a self-drive tour of Tonga?

Car Rental

Car rentals can be found across the four main island groups in Tonga. While some fleets are small, typically offering a compact car, SUV and minivan, rental companies, especially on Tongatapu, have a wider choice of vehicles.

Popular options include Tropicana Rentals in Vava'u and Alpha Rental Cars in Tongatapu, both offering reliable vehicles and helpful service to get you exploring independently.

Check out your car rental options in The 10 Best Car Rentals in Tonga and get tips from What You Need to Hire a Car in Tonga.

Bicycle Hire

While you might not be able to get quite as far as with a car or scooter, you'll be surprised just how far you can go when hiring a bicycle on the small islands of Tonga.

Bicycle hire is available in Tongatapu, Ha'apai and Vava'u (with Tropicana Rentals offering bikes in Vava'u) and is significantly cheaper than hiring a car.

It's a brilliant way to explore at your own pace, soaking in the island scenery and stopping whenever something catches your eye. You'll find bikes perfect for cruising coastal roads and discovering hidden beaches that larger vehicles might skip right past.

Find out more about renting a bike in The Guide to Cycling in Tonga.