World Country Guide

Travel - International

Air
There are plans to establish a national airline in the near future. Presently Air Marshall Islands (CW), the airline of the Marshall Islands, offers return flights to Funafuti from Majuro (Marshall Islands) via Tarawa (Kiribati), from Nadi (Fiji) and from Suva (Fiji). Air Fiji also flies between Suva (Fiji) and Funafuti. It is advisable to book in advance.
The Visit the South Pacific Pass is valid for a number of airlines operating in the South Pacific, including 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 50 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). The journey must be started outside the South Pacific and only one stopover in Australia is allowed. A minimum of two coupons must be bought before departure (a maximum of eight coupons can be purchased en route). For details and conditions, contact the South Pacific Tourism Organisation (see Contact Addresses section).

International airports
Funafuti International (FUN). Facilities include a VIP lounge, left luggage and lockers, bank, bureaux de change, restaurant, snack bars, bars, chemist, post office and shops. Buses run 0500-2359 (travel time - 30 minutes). Taxis are also available. There is a pick-up service to the only hotel.

Departure tax
A$10. Children under three years of age and transit passengers are exempt.

Sea
Shipping services operate from Fiji, Australia and New Zealand, calling at the main port of Funafuti. Adventure cruises organised by tour operators also call from time to time.