Getting around French Polynesia: trains, buses, driving and domestic flights

Match the transport to the island, not to a national network. Moorea is a ferry ride; everything else is a flight or, on a few routes, an overnight ship. Costs below are 2026 estimates in XPF.

First, decide which islands you are actually visiting. The parent guide's shape — one night on Tahiti, then two Society islands for 4–5 nights each — means one ferry and one or two flights, nothing more complicated.

For Moorea, walk or drive to the Papeete ferry terminal and buy a ticket on the spot; Terevau and Aremiti run several crossings a day and the trip takes 30–45 minutes. If you want to take a car across, book the space in advance, especially at weekends, and note the last boats leave early evening.

For anything beyond Moorea, book Air Tahiti. Flights link more than 45 islands with ATR turboprops, and the checked allowance is usually 23 kg with 5 kg in the cabin — pack for it or pay. Book with your international ticket if you are travelling in July, August or at Christmas.

If you are visiting three or more islands in one direction, price an Air Tahiti multi-island pass against separate tickets. Routes must be flown in the set order without backtracking, and not every pass still exists — check before you commit.

On the ground, hire a car on Tahiti, Moorea, Huahine and Raiatea; a scooter, e-bike or bicycle is enough on Bora Bora's 32 km road, Huahine, Maupiti and the atolls. On Tahiti, the bus is cheap on the coast roads but sparse after dark and on Sundays.

Papeete traffic jams at rush hour, and fuel is expensive, so a car is for exploring the coast, not for commuting into town. Some scooter and bike rentals do not offer helmets, and dogs chase cyclists on some islands — ride defensively.

Tap water is treated in Papeete and many Tahiti and Moorea communes, but on the atolls it is rainwater; ask, or drink bottled. Shops close around 11:30–13:30 on many islands and most shut on Sunday afternoon, so buy what you need before midday. Public toilets are few — use cafés, malls and the ferry terminal.

Tipping is not expected in taxis or restaurants; a tour or dive guide might get XPF 1,000–2,000 for a good day. Sockets are French two-pin, 220 V, with some resorts also offering 110 V US outlets, so bring a universal adapter.