Arriving in Tahiti

Arriving in Tahiti

Tahiti-Faaa International Airport handles all international flights into Tahiti. It is approximately four miles west of Tahiti's capital city of Papeete. Of course you have to clear customs. But after you clear customs there will be a booth straight ahead of you that is staffed by Tahiti Manava, or the local tourist information office. Go ahead and get what maps and what other information you feel you may want at this point.

There will be two banks to your immediate left and right. One is called Banque de Polynesie and the other is Banque Socredo. Bank Socredo will more readily exchange your American dollars. Both have ATMs you can use for your convenience.

Now to get to your hotel, if you don't already have arrangements for transportation, you will need to take a taxi as there isn't any public transportation that passes in front of the airport. The official fare from 8 pm to 6 am to the west coast of the island is $15 and $25 if you are going downtown. You will need an obligatory $1 for each bag you have. If you arrive in Tahiti between 10 pm and 6 am the only choice you have if you don't have pre-arranged transportation plans, is a taxi. The public transportation doesn't run during those hours.

As I've said that there isn't any public transportation that passes in front of the airport, if you want you can trek across the parking lot and up the set of stairs you see to the main road and flag down the first public bus you will see, again if it's not between the hours of 10 pm and 6 am.

If you are driving a rental car, you will see the major rental car signage readily in front of you. If you have trouble or need to ask the whereabouts for anything, just ask anybody. Tahitians are very friendly and most often will be able to direct you where you are trying to go. Of course there is the information desk as well.

After getting your rental car and you are ready to drive Tahiti, if you are in one of the largest of resort hotels such as the InterContinental Tahiti, the Sofitel, or the Le Meridein Tahiti, you take Route 1 west all the way, and just follow the signage.

If you are in the Sheraton Hotel Tahiti, take Route 1 east all the way until you see the signage. If you are going downtown, watch for the Route 5 sign directing you to the expressway that connecting Papeete to the west coast. If you go too far, just remember to pull over when you have the chance.

Tahiti is not that hard to get around. And it's not much to backtrack if you actually feel you've lost your way. But do remember that the island essentially goes ‘round in a circle.
If for some reason you need to store your baggage, every hotel on the island will store your baggage for free.