Travelling within French Polynesia

Bus
Being an archipelago, French Polynesia does not have a bus network. The only buses operating within the country are the local ones used for travelling within individual islands like Tahiti and Bora Bora.

Open air buses, known as Le trucks also operate within Tahiti. These buses usually do not stop at any particular destination, except Papeete. Buses on route number 14 run between Mahina and Papeete every 30 minutes on weekdays.

Buses operating on route nos. 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 and 31 connect City hall of Papeete to other places within the island. These buses are operational from 6 am to 5 pm, everyday. The fare of these buses varies from $1.54 to $3.07.

Within Bora Bora, bus services are less frequent compared to other islands of French Polynesia. Their services are generally scheduled in accordance with the timing of ferries and school hours. The fare charged by buses for a ride from Vaitape to the hotel district in Matira is around $3.32 to $5.54.

Ferry
Travelling by boat is another means. The two companies operating ferries from the Papeete waterfront to Vaiare located on Moorea's east coast are Aremiti and Moorea Ferry. The distance of 19 km between the two islands is covered in around 30 minutes.

The Aremiti V is larger and faster compared to the Moorea Express. The one way fare for the journey is around $11, irrespective of the speed of the ferry. These ferries depart from Papeete at 6 am, 7:30 pm, 9 am, 12 pm, 2:40 pm, 4:05 pm and 5:30 pm from Monday to Friday. Ships to the outer islands like Huahine, Bora Bora, Tanhaa and Raiatea are also available from Papeete. The Vaeanu and the Hawaiki Nui are the two passenger ferries that usually depart at around 4 pm and make three voyages a week.

On reaching the Leeward Islands, tourists can take a voyage from Raiatea to Bora Bora on the Maupiti Express. This small, but fast ferry departs Bora Bora for Raiatea and Tahaa at 7 am on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. It also operates between Bora Bora and Maupiti on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, leaving the initial destination at 8 am. The one-way fare charged by the ferry is around $38.

Two cruise ships or luxury liners also ply on the islands of French Polynesia. The Paul Gauguin operates throughout the week around the Societies of French Polynesia. Occasional trips to Cook Islands, Marquesas and Tuamotus are also available. Other cruises operating on the same route is the Tahitian Princess.

Yacht charter Polynesia is another option for travelling between the islands of French Polynesia. Windward Islands, which is one of the largest yacht charter companies in the world, also operate in French Polynesia.

Taxi
Other modes of transportation available for travelling within individual islands include taxis, bicycles, motorcycles and scooters. Taxis operating in Tahiti are relatively expensive than all other modes. These taxis cost around $177.25 for a four hour journey that covers the entire island. Fares charged by the taxis are fixed by the government. Even the fixed fares increase by 20% from 8 pm to 6 am.

Taxis operating within Bora Bora charge around $16.62 for a trip from Vaitape to Matira hotel district between 6 am to 6 pm. For the next 12 hours, the taxi fares amount to $22.16. Apart from land taxis, water taxi services are also available from islets to the main island. These water taxis usually charge around $27.70.