Discover Samoa, a pristine Polynesian paradise in the South Pacific where ancient culture thrives alongside stunning natural beauty. From the iconic To-Sua Ocean Trench to cascading waterfalls and white-sand beaches, this independent island nation offers authentic cultural experiences and warm hospitality.
- Public
- Colorful timber buses run main routes on Upolu at low cost but with no fixed schedules and limited Sunday service. Not suitable for reaching remote attractions.
- Taxi
- Readily available in Apia without meters - always agree on fare before departure. Reliable for short in-town trips but expensive for full-day use.
- Rental
- Best option for exploring Upolu and Savai'i independently. Drive on the left. Roads on Upolu's main routes are good; Savai'i has variable road conditions.
- Walking
- Central Apia is walkable between waterfront, markets, and most town sights within 20-30 minutes on foot.
Transport at a glance
Airport transfers
Getting from the airport to your accommodation.
- Taxi
- Taxi to Apia $60-70 WST ($22-25 USD)
- Shuttle
- Shared shuttle $50-70 WST per person
- Bus
- Local bus (cheapest) $5-10 WST
Local transport
Getting around the city.
Bus
Colorful 'timber buses' operate on main routes. Fares: Apia to suburbs $2-5 WST, longer routes $5-15 WST. Flag down buses anywhere along routes. No fixed schedules but frequent during business hours. Limited Sunday service due to cultural observance.
Alternatives
metro, taxi, rideshare
Taxis & rideshare
What to expect from taxis and apps.
- Regular
- Base fare $5 WST, then $2-3 WST per km. Airport to Apia $60-70 WST flat rate. Short trips around Apia $10-20 WST. No meters - agree on price before departure. Available at airport, hotels, and can be called.
Intercity travel
Getting between cities and regions.
Bus
Timber buses connect villages across Upolu and Savai'i islands. Main route Apia to Lalomanu $10-15 WST. Cross-island routes $8-12 WST. Buses stop running early evening. Limited Sunday service.
Flights
Samoa Airways operates flights between Upolu (Faleolo) and Savai'i (Maota). Flight time 25 minutes, frequency 2-4 times daily. Fare $50-80 USD one-way. Book in advance during peak season.
Transportation details
Full breakdown of how to get around.
Airports
Faleolo International Airport
From centre: 35 km west of Apia
Options: Taxi to Apia $60-70 WST ($22-25 USD); Shared shuttle $50-70 WST per person; Local bus (cheapest) $5-10 WST; Hotel shuttle (pre-arranged) $50-100 WST; Rental car pick-up available
Maota Airport
From centre: Savai'i Island - 10 km from Salelologa ferry
Options: Taxi to ferry terminal $20-30 WST; Hotel pick-up (pre-arranged); Local bus connections
Useful apps
Download before you arrive.
Samoa Ride
Local rideshare app operating in Apia area - more reliable than trying to hail a taxi at night
Google Maps
Works reasonably well in Apia and main routes but may have gaps on rural Savai'i roads - download offline maps before travelling
Transport tips
Travel smarter, not harder.
Always agree on taxi fare before getting in - there are no meters in Samoa
Drive on the LEFT side of the road - Samoa switched from right in 2009
An International Driving Permit is required alongside your home country license
Timber buses are the most affordable option ($2-15 WST) but have no fixed schedules - flag them down anywhere on the route
Almost no services run on Sunday due to Samoan cultural observance - plan self-drive or arrange transfers in advance for Sunday travel
Carry cash (WST) for buses, taxis, and petrol - card payments are not available at most petrol stations outside Apia
The ferry from Mulifanua Wharf to Salelologa (Savai'i) takes 90 minutes and runs 6-8 times daily - take the earliest crossing for maximum island time
Petrol costs approximately $4 WST per liter - budget $80-120 WST for a full day of driving around Upolu