Getting around in the islands
 

Hi:<BR><BR>I'm planning my honeymoon for next January and have a couple of questions about getting around in Moorea and Bora Bora....<BR><BR>How easy is it to get taxis? How expensive are they? I'm probably going to have lunch or dinner outside of the hotels, so what's the best way to get around? <BR><BR>Also, should we arrange for transfers to/from airports in advance or can we just get a cab at the airport? <BR><BR>Again, any advice and price info is highly appreciated!

Taxis are easy to get at Faa'a airport, just outside Papeete. They will cost you a few US$ per mile. A cheaper alternative is, "Le Truck", a mini-bus system of trucks with passenger cabs mounted on the back. You can catch a Le Truck going into Papeete by crossing the airport parking lot, then going up the stairs and across the street. These cost about $1 per passenger.<BR><BR>Taxis are also available at the airport and ferry terminal in Moorea. They will arrive and wait for each arriving plane or ferry. The same for Bora Bora. I know that you can also call for taxis from hotels.

Thank you ALF:<BR><BR>Any idea on how much I would pay in Moorea or Bora Bora? Are rates higher from the airport? Is it really worth it to include the transfers in a package deal? Most do, I was just wondering if it is a good deal...

Its been a couple of years, so I am not sure exactly how much we paid. A taxi from Faa'a Airport to the downtown Papeete ferry dock will be about US$7. <BR><BR>From the Vaiare ferry dock in Moorea to Haaru costs about US$8. From Moorea's airport to Haaru costs about $10.<BR><BR>On Bora Bora, from Matira Point or Raititi Point to Vaitape costs about $9. That is where the ferry to/from the airport leaves/arrives.<BR><BR>I would think that transfers to/from hotels would be cheaper and more dependable than using taxis. Le Trucks would be cheaper still, and can get you to most places around Papeete and Vaitape. In Moorea, there is a good bus 'system', mostly because the island has a circular road system, so the buses just circle the whole island.

TO Carol We just came back from FP and went with the prearranged transfers which were great as everything is taken care of when coming and going from different islands. I'm not sure of the price difference but we felt we got good value for the money doing it this way. If you are spending time on Moorea and plan to eat away from the resort, some of the restaurants will pay for one way transfer via taxi. You pay going and they return you to the Hotel. For us it worked out to about $10 per ride. On Moorea try a place called Te Hono iti.