World Country Guide

Travel - International

Air
The main airline serving Tonga is Air Pacific (website: www.airpacific.com) (Royal Tongan Airlines collapsed in 2005). Air New Zealand and Polynesian Airlines also serve the country.

Air passes
The Polypass (offered by Polynesian Airlines) allows the holder to fly between the Southern Pacific destinations of American Samoa, Fiji, Niue, Samoa, Tahiti and Tonga; Honolulu (Hawaii) and Los Angeles in the USA; Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney in Australia; and Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington in New Zealand. The pass is valid for one year. Once a reservation has been made and travel begun, all travel must be completed within a maximum of 45 days. Tickets will be issued against the Polypass by any Polynesian Airlines office (a valid passport is also required). For further information, contact Polynesian Airlines (website: www.polynesianairlines.com).
The Visit the South Pacific Pass is valid for many airlines operating in the South Pacific, including most of the larger ones, such as Air Caledonie, Air Marshall Islands, Air Nauru, Air Niugingi, Air Pacific, Air Vanuatu, Polynesian Airlines, Qantas, Royal Tongan Airlines and Solomon Airlines. Offering reductions of up to 40 per cent on normal airfares, this sector-based pass allows for flexible island-hopping between the destinations of the Cook Islands, Fiji, Nauru, New Caledonia, Samoa, Tahiti, Tonga, Vanuatu and the more remote Melanesian and Micronesian islands, together with major cities in Australia (Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney) and New Zealand (Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington). It is only available for people resident outside of the South Pacific. The journey must be started outside the South Pacific and only one stopover in Australia is allowed. A minimum of two sectors must be bought before departure (extra sectors can be purchased en route). There is a maximum of one pass per person, and passes must be used within six months of the first day of travel. Children under 12 years of age pay 75 per cent of the adult fare. For details and conditions, contact the South Pacific Tourist Organisation (see Contact Addresses section).

Approximate flight times
From Nuku’alofa to London is 20 hours.

International airports
Fua'Amotu (TBU) is 13km (8 miles) from Nuku'alofa. Transport by taxi and bus is available. There are car hire services (Avis), bars, bank/bureau de change, shops, tourist information and a duty free shop.

Departure tax
T$25 for all passengers; children under 12 years of age and transit passengers are exempt.

Sea
Ports of entry are Neiafu, Niuatoputapu, Nuku'alofa and Pangai. There are no regular passenger services, but berths may be available on cruise ships.