Taxi Fares in Tonga: How Much Does a Taxi Cost?

Last Updated: 11 December, 2024

Taxi Rates in Tonga

Authentic Insights from Expert Travel Writers

How much does a taxi cost in Tonga? Taxis offer a fairly affordable way to get around the islands of Tongatapu and Vava’u’s main island and causeway-connected islands. They’ll get you from A to B, just like a taxi anywhere in the world. In this guide to taxi fares in Tonga, we’ve listed some of the typical taxi prices experienced on the most popular routes. As for ‘Eua, Ha’apai and The Niuas, note that there are no taxi services on these islands.

Side note: Our tips come from on-the-ground research from professional travel journalists, not copied or generated by AI. Scroll to the bottom of the page to learn more about us. Plus, for more taxi talk, check out The Guide to Taxis in Tonga.

5 Tips for Taking the Taxi in Tonga

Here are some essential things to know about taxis in Tonga for first-time visitors:

Registered taxis in Tonga have a “T” at the beginning of their registration plate.
Ask the going rate for your trip before getting in the taxi, as most taxis in Tonga don’t use meters.
Taxis do not operate on Sundays (unless booked before Sunday).
Taxi drivers can be hired for full-day sightseeing.
There is no Uber in Tonga.

For more details on each tip, as well as more travel advice, see the 10 Things to Know About Taxis in Tonga.

Taxi Fares in Tonga: How Much Does a Taxi Cost?

Taxi Prices on Tongatapu

Some taxis on Tongatapu use meters to determine a fare, while many don’t. In most cases, a flat fare is agreed upon before setting off, which often means you can get taxis in Tonga for a reasonable price. There is the temptation, however, for taxi drivers to overcharge palangi (foreigners) so it’s good to have a rough idea of a fair price before agreeing to a ride.

All of the below taxi rates are approximate, one-way and are for a taxi load (not per person). It’s best to ask taxi prices before agreeing to a rate so you know what you’re expecting.

Fares you might encounter in Tongatapu include:

First kilometre: TOP$3.50-$4.10
Continuous km: TOP$1.20-1.40/km
Fua’amotu Airport – Nuku’alofa: TOP$60-$70
Fua’amotu Airport International Terminal – Domestic Terminal: TOP$5-$7
Around Nuku’alofa: TOP$5-$15
Nuku’alofa – ‘Anahulu Cave (central east coast): TOP$50-$60
Nuku’alofa – Ha’amonga ‘a Maui (Niutoua) – TOP$75-$80
Nuku’alofa – Ha’atafu (west coast): TOP$150-$160
Day hire/tour: TOP$300

Note that taxi fares are likely to be around 10% more between the hours of 7 pm and 7 am.

Learn more about transport in Tongatapu in the 10 Ways to Get to (& Around) Tongatapu. Plus, learn more about hiring taxi drivers for day tours and sightseeing in our guide to Hiring a Driver in Tonga.

Taxi Prices in Vava’u

Taxis in Vava’u typically have set rates between certain destinations, where rates have been recommended by the Labour & Commerce Department.

All of the below taxi rates are approximate, one-way and are for a taxi load. It’s best to ask taxi prices before agreeing to a rate so you know what you’re expecting.

Lupepauʻu Airport – Neiafu: TOP$40-$50
Lupepauʻu Airport – Toula Village (Hakula Lodge, Billfish Apartments): TOP$50-$60
Lupepauʻu Airport – ‘Utungake Island (Tongan Beach Resort, Mystic Sands): TOP$50-$70
Lupepau’u Airport – Talihau (Lucky’s Beach Houses): TOP$75
Neiafu – ‘Utungake Island: TOP$40-$50
Neiafu – Talihau: TOP$50-$60
Neiafu – ‘Ene’io Botanical Gardens: TOP$40-$50
Neiafu – Pangai: TOP$40-$50
Neiafu – Mt Talau – TOP$7-$10
Neiafu – ‘Utula’aina Lookout – TOP$50-$60
Hourly rate: TOP$80
Day tours: TOP$400-$600

Find out more about transport in Vava’u in the 10 Ways to Get to (& Around) Vava’u. Plus, learn more about hiring taxi drivers for day tours and sightseeing in our guide to Hiring a Driver in Tonga.

More About Taxi Fares in Tonga

That’s it for our guide to taxi fares in Tonga. For more on the subject, check out these insightful guides:

Finally, be sure to bookmark our Tonga Transport Guide: 10 Ways to Get Around Tonga for even more transport tips. Plus, get budgeting advice from the Tonga Travel Budget: How Much Does a Trip to Tonga Cost?

Sources:

The information in this guide has been compiled from our extensive research, travel and experiences across Tonga and the South Pacific, accumulated over more than a decade of numerous visits to each destination. Additional sources for this guide include the following:

Tonga Tourism Authority (General travel advice - Updated [2025])
Tonga Ministry of Tourism (FAQs about visiting Tonga - Updated [2025])
SPTO (Pacific tourism advice - Updated [2025])
Ministry of Revenue & Customs (Customs and immigration contacts - Updated [2025])
Ministry of Agriculture & Food, Forests and Fisheries (Biosecurity advice - Updated [2025])
Ministry of Infrastructure (Land and aviation transport info - Updated [2025])
Tonga Meteorological Service (Weather forecast and warnings - Updated [2025])
Tonga Statistics Department (Statistics and travel data - Updated [2025])
Safe Travel (New Zealand travel advisory for Tonga - Updated [2025])
Smart Traveller (Australia travel advisory for Tonga - Updated [2025])
Travel.State.Gov (U.S. travel advisory for Tonga - Updated [2025])

Our editorial standards: At Tonga Pocket Guide, we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure accurate and quality content.

About The Author

Robin (Lopini) C.

This article was reviewed and published by Robin, the co-founder of Tonga Pocket Guide. He has lived, worked and travelled across 16 different countries before settling in the South Pacific, so he knows a thing or two about planning the perfect trip in this corner of the world. Robin works and consults regularly with the Ministry of Tourism of Tonga. Robin is also the co-founder of several other South Pacific travel guides and is a regular host of webinars with the South Pacific Tourism Organisation.

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