Nauru is the world's smallest island nation and one of the least visited countries on Earth. This remote Pacific paradise offers pristine beaches, fascinating WWII history, unique phosphate mining landscapes, and an authentic off-the-beaten-path experience for adventurous travelers.
- Public
- Two electric buses with limited, irregular routes - not reliable for tourist use. Routes mainly serve specific communities and schedules are unpredictable.
- Taxi
- Limited taxis with no meters. Must negotiate fares in advance. Contact your hotel to arrange. No ride-hailing apps operate.
- Rental
- Best option for tourists. Cars available from airport and hotels at $60-70 AUD/day. The 21 km ring road makes a rental very practical - you can see the entire island.
- Walking
- Feasible within districts and along beaches. The full ring road circuit is walkable (21 km) but hot. Many attractions require transport as they span the whole island.
Transport at a glance
Airport transfers
Getting from the airport to your accommodation.
- Taxi
- Hotel shuttle - often included
- Shuttle
- Taxi - $5-10 AUD
- Bus
- Car rental - available at airport
Local transport
Getting around the city.
Bus
Two electric buses for public transport, limited routes and schedules. Single trip costs $0.50-1 AUD. Not reliable for tourists.
Alternatives
metro, taxi, rideshare
Taxis & rideshare
What to expect from taxis and apps.
- Regular
- Limited taxi service available. No meters - negotiate price in advance. Typical fares: around island $15-20 AUD, short trips $5-10 AUD. Call hotels to arrange.
Intercity travel
Getting between cities and regions.
Bus
No intercity bus service - the entire island can be driven in 30 minutes
Flights
Not applicable - no internal flights needed
Transportation details
Full breakdown of how to get around.
Airports
Nauru International Airport
From centre: 2 km to Yaren
Options: Hotel shuttle - often included; Taxi - $5-10 AUD; Car rental - available at airport; Walking - possible to some hotels (15-30 min)
Useful apps
Download before you arrive.
No apps available
No ride-hailing, mapping, or transport apps have Nauru coverage. Use offline maps (download before arriving) and negotiate directly with taxis or through your hotel.
Transport tips
Travel smarter, not harder.
Renting a car is the best way to explore Nauru - the small island size (21 km circumference) makes driving everywhere practical
Book car rental in advance through your hotel as the fleet is very limited - sometimes only 3-5 vehicles available island-wide
Traffic drives on the LEFT side of the road in Nauru (Australian standard)
There are no traffic lights on the entire island - but watch for pedestrians and animals on the road, especially at night
Night driving is hazardous due to pedestrians, animals, and lack of street lighting on most sections of the ring road
Fuel costs approximately $2.50 AUD per liter - fill up at the main service station in Aiwo
Hotel shuttle services may be included or offered at low cost - always ask when booking
Airport transfers are only $5-10 AUD by taxi - the airport is very close to all accommodation