I'm trying to get a definitive answer regarding distance from airport in Papeete to cruise ship dock and whether bus , taxi or Le truck are viable methods to get there? Anyone know how much taxi should cost during daytime and also during evening hours and does Le Truck run day and night or only during daytime and how much? Also, what about bus? Day and/or evening and about how much? Any thoughts appreciated.
We leave in December.
Thanks.

It is an easy ride to the Papeete docks via Le Truck, which has a stop across the street from Fa'aa Airport. Just stand there and wave your arm - make sure that they go to Gallieni Quay. They start up around 6am and go until about 10-ish. Fares are about CFP 120 . Buses are starting to replace Le Trucks, and cost slightly more.

You can also take a cab, but it can get expensive (CFP 1500), particularly at night(CFP 2500).

hi,

whatever mode of transportion you choose, allow yourself EXTRA time -- the traffic is horrible!

We were creeping along in "rush hour" (this was before 7AM!) from the airport to our hotel; then a few days later we got stuck in bad traffic from the hotel to the dock and missed our ferry and had to wait for the next one.

Regards,

Melodie

Thanks Alf and Melodie for your replies. I just got an e-mail from a taxi service in Papeete and he, Carl, says that it is about 7 kilometers from airport to ship dock- a little over 4 miles. The meter starts at 1200 cfp and the kilometer charge is 240 cfp with large bags @100frs and 50 for small bags. We will have 2 large and 2 small bags. At an exchange rate of about 93.3 cfp to US dollar, I figure his charge, one way for both of us comes out to around $34.80. He figured 3000 cfp or about $32.15 for this adventure. What do you think if I offer him a flat rate of $25 total for the two of us with our luggage. Do you think he would accept????? The ship's transfer fee each way , is $30 per person, for a total of $60 for the two of us. Atrocious!!! Thoughts? Comments? Then there is always Le Truck! Think we will be arriving anywhere between 8 pm and 11 pm in evening and don't know if I want to start trying to find Le Truck, even if it runs at night, in the dark.

It's been a couple of years since we have taken a cab between Fa'aa and Gallieni Quay, but that sounds like in the right ballpark for evening cab fares. We paid about $27 for a late evening ride from downtown Papeete to the airport 2 yrs ago.

If you want easy passage to the cruise ship dock at night, paying in the high $20s - low $30s is what you should expect in Tahiti.

Jay,

I don't think that you're going to have much luck in "haggling" with a cab driver. His rates are set and they're not exactly begging for business.

Your already spending some sizeable bucks to go on your cruise -- do you really want to try to cut corners on the cost of a cab, with the possibility of missing your ship and the stress involved in THAT?

I often advise clients to take shore excursions locally and not use the cruise lines' tours, as they are often overpriced (depending on which tour and where) and I feel you can get a much better tour, in most cases, especially the Caribbean, with a local.

HOWEVER, in this case, I would advise you to absolutely bite the bullet and take the cruise line's transfer. You'll be in a bus or mini-van and they're responsible for getting you to the ship. In the worst case scenario - with "x" amount of passengers late, at least they have you on the manifest and know they've got passengers arriving.

Going on your own - 2 passengers stuck in traffic?? It would be a bummer to hear the ship's horn as it pulls out of port with you sitting in traffic!

Hope this is helpful!

Regards,

Melodie

Thanks for your reply Melodie. Your points are well taken. This is an established taxi service which the chamber recommended. I e-mailed him back asking if he would accept $50 total for roundtrip (wife and I) coming to ship from airport in evening and returning 10 days later in the evening. Will be interesting to see what his response is. I will let you know his answer.

Jay

Hello Melodie and Alf,

Got a reply from taxi service and they say will do round trip from airport to dock and 10 days later from dock to airport in evening for 5000 francs or $54 US dollars RT. Ship's transfer for the two of us would be $60 each way for a total of $120, so taxi is half the price. We will go with taxi service. Thanks again for your comments.
Jay

Did you go on your tahiti cruise yet? Is it on the Tahiti Princess? We are considering taking the Tahiti cruise, and are anxious to hear how you liked it.