The Top Car Rental Companies in Nuku’alofa and Tongatapu
Renting a car on Tongatapu provides the ultimate freedom! Explore the many natural wonders and historic sites of the island at your own pace. Stay out of town knowing that you can still get around with ease. But who should you hire a car from? Everyone has their wants and needs when it comes to car hire, so we’ve put together this car rental comparison so you can learn more about car rentals in Nuku’alofa and Tongatapu to make an informed decision.
Note that no insurance, vehicles with dents, and cash-only payments are all kind of common on Tongatapu. For these and similar nuances of Tonga’s car rental industry, we advise you to take a look at The Guide to Car Hire in Tonga so you know what to expect.
5 Things to Look For When Comparing Car Rentals in Nuku’alofa and Tongatapu
Before we dive into our comparison of the car hires in Nuku’alofa and Tongatapu, know what to look for with these car rental comparison tips.
1. Prices and Inclusions
Car rental companies on Tongatapu have various inclusions, as well as different daily rates, for example, not all car rental companies have included insurance and only some have child seats. We make sure to mention inclusions in the comparison below, where available. For costs to consider when making a budget for your car rental, check out the 10 Ways to Save Money on Car Rental in Tonga.
2. Vehicles Offered
Tongatapu’s car rental companies are limited but most have vast and varied fleets. The size of your vehicle will matter depending on how many people are travelling in the vehicle. Apart from the access road to Hufangalupe Land Bridge/Beach, a 4WD is not usually necessary for where most visitors want to go. Learn more about what it is like to drive in our guide, How to Drive in Tonga.
3. Service
Once you have picked one or two car rental companies to compare, give them a phone call or a message on Facebook and ask them a few questions. See how helpful they are in their answers. This little test will give you an idea of how helpful the company will be should anything go wrong during your trip.
4. Payment Options
Nowadays, not everyone wants to have a credit card; not even car rental companies! Note that most car rental companies require a bond in cash (around TOP$200), some will accept card payments for the rental fee, while others only accept cash. Double-check which car rental companies accept other payment methods and be sure to have enough cash. Learn more about where to get cash out in our guide to Information, Shops & Services on Tongatapu. Plus, learn more about paying for things in What is The Best Way to Pay in Tonga?
5. Location
Location is important if you’re hoping to hire a vehicle straight from the airport or close to your accommodation. Most car rental companies will deliver a vehicle to the wharf or airport, but not all.
© TongaPocketGuide.comThanks N Praise Car Rental
One of Tongatapu’s long-established and reputable car rental companies, Thanks N Praise has more than 130 vehicles from compact and modern Mazda Demios to 15-seater Toyota Hiace minivans. Vehicles are well-maintained with new vehicles added to the large fleet regularly. Thanks N Praise is a good option if you want airport delivery (which is cheaper during their working hours of 8:30 am to 4 pm), with the delivery fee on par with other rental companies. Note that they do not offer delivery to Nuku’alofa. Nevertheless, picking up a vehicle from their outside office decorated with flowers in Vaini is a pleasent experience.
Pick-Up and Drop-Off Locations
Pick-up and drop-off services at Fua’amotu Airport (approximately TOP$50-$60). Their depot is well-signposted down Hufangalupe Road, between Veitongo and Vaini. Operating hours are from 8:30 am to 4 pm Monday to Friday and until 3 pm Saturday. Delivery to the airport is available outside of these hours for a small additional fee.
Vehicles Available
Vehicles offered by Thanks N Praise range from Mazda Demio compact cars to 15-seater minivans such as a Toyota Hiace. Models range from 6 to 26 years old.
Approximate Price
Prices are subject to change. Cars with Thanks N Praise start from approximately TOP$30 per day for old five-seater cars up to TOP$300 per day for newer utes and minivans. Cash only but deposits can be made in NZD or USD to their selected bank account.
Insurance
No insurance is available. A bond is taken for all vehicle rentals via cash of around TOP$200 until the vehicle is returned. Damage fees will be negotiated with the rental operator. It’s best to be honest if something is broken.
© TongaPocketGuide.comSunshine Rental Cars
Another one of the largest car rental companies on Tongatapu, Sunshine Rental Cars is a good go-to for well-maintained vehicles ranging from 3 to 17 years old. Based right in the heart of Nuku’alofa, they offer vehicle delivery to pretty much everywhere – free in Nuku’alofa or to the airport for a fee. Furthermore, child seats are available.
Pick-Up and Drop-Off Locations
Pick-up and drop-off services at Fua’amotu Airport and any other location across the main island of Tongatapu are available for a fee. Complimentary delivery is available in Nuku’alofa. Their depot is located on Unga Road, Nuku’alofa city centre. Operating hours are from 8 am to 5 pm Monday to Friday and 8:30 am to 1 pm Saturday.
Vehicles Available
Sunshine Rental Cars has a huge range of vehicles, including compact cars, medium cars, people-movers, utes, minivans and trucks. Vehicles included in their fleet include:
- Toyota Vitz
- Toyota IST
- Toyota Belta
- Toyota Corolla
- Toyota Gaia
- Toyota Isis
- Toyota Ipsum
- Toyota Camry
- Toyota Harrier
- Toyota Rav4
- Toyota Noah
- Toyota Hilux
- Toyota Alphard
- Toyota Hiace – 10-15 passengers
- Toyota Dyna
Approximate Price
Prices are subject to change. Cars with Sunshine Rental Cars start from approximately TOP$60-$90 per day for a compact car, TOP$120-$150 for a medium car, or TOP$170-$220 per day for a ute or minivan. Payment is cash or card.
Insurance
No insurance is available. A bond is taken for all vehicle rentals via cash of around TOP$200-$300 until the vehicle is returned. Damage fees will be negotiated with the rental operator. It’s best to be honest if something is broken.
© TongaPocketGuide.comFAB Rentals
FAB Rentals, also based in Nuku’alofa, provides more than a car rental service. Enjoy the ease of a meet-and-greet at the airport or wharf on arrival into Tongatapu, or have your vehicle delivered anywhere to you in Nuku’alofa for free. Choose from a wide range of vehicles, from their “VIP Fleet” to their budget range. And yes, baby seats are available.
Pick-Up and Drop-Off Locations
Pick-up and drop-off services at Fua’amotu Airport (approximately TOP$50) and Vuna Wharf (free) with a meet-and-greet at the airport. Complimentary delivery is available in Nuku’alofa. Their depot is on Salote Road in Nuku’alofa, parallel to Faua Wharf. Operating hours are from 8 am to 5 pm Monday to Friday and 8 am to 12 pm Saturday.
Vehicles Available
Choose from a range of compact cars, such as Mitsubishi eKs lovingly nicknamed “Little Cuties”, to larger medium cars and SUVs such as Toyota Prados and Nissan Munros.
Approximate Price
Prices are subject to change. Cars with FAB Rentals start from approximately TOP$50-$60 per day for a compact car or an older SUV to TOP$160 per day for a newer SUV. Payment is cash or card. Hire for seven days and you will get one day free (hire for seven; pay for six). Card and cash are accepted.
Insurance
No insurance is available. A bond is taken for all vehicle rentals via cash of around TOP$200 until the vehicle is returned. Damage fees will be negotiated with the rental operator. It’s best to be honest if something is broken.
© TongaPocketGuide.comWay2Go Rentals
A small family-run car rental company with a fleet of approximately 14 vehicles, Way2Go Rentals provides personal service and reasonable rental rates, as well as reliable vehicles to see you through your travels. Their office can be found on the main road of Tokomololo village, just south of Nuku’alofa.
Pick-Up and Drop-Off Locations
Pick-up and drop-off services at Fua’amotu Airport and Vuna Wharf (approximately TOP$50). Their depot is on Loto Road in Tokomololo. Operating hours are from 8 am to 5 pm Monday to Friday and until 3 pm on Saturday.
Vehicles Available
Vehicles offered by Way2Go Rentals include Toyota compact cars, medium cars like a Nissan Teana, Nissan Munro SUVs and 10-seater Toyota Hiace minivans.
Approximate Price
Prices are subject to change. Cars with Way2Go Rentals start from approximately TOP$70 per day for a compact car to TOP$150 per day for a minivan. Cash only.
Insurance
No insurance is available. A bond is taken for all vehicle rentals via cash of around TOP$200 until the vehicle is returned. Damage fees will be negotiated with the rental operator. It’s best to be honest if something is broken.
© TongaPocketGuide.comAvis
The international car rental brand Avis also has a presence in Nuku’alofa. Although their fleet is relatively small with less than 20 vehicles, they have some of the most contemporary rental cars available in Tonga, boating models from one to five years old. Not only are baby seats available, but you can also hire a chauffeur with your vehicle at only an extra TOP$50 per day (between 8 am and 5 pm). In true Avis fashion, you’ll get all your usual corporate car rental services, including insurance, roadside assistance and credit card pre-authorisation.
Pick-Up and Drop-Off Locations
Pick-up and drop-off services at Fua’amotu Airport (approximately TOP$60). Their depot is at Asco Motors, Taufa’ahau Road, Nuku’alofa. Operating hours are 8 am to 5 pm Monday to Friday and until 12 pm Saturday.
Vehicles Available
Avis’ fleet ranges from compact cars to minivans. Vehicles include:
- Toyota Yaris
- Toyota Corolla
- Toyota Rav4
- Toyota Hilux
- Toyota Hiace
- Toyota Innova.
Approximate Price
Prices are subject to change. Cars with Avis start from approximately TOP$120 per day for a compact car to TOP$300 per day for a ute or minivan. Cash and card are accepted.
Insurance
Insurance is included in the rental rate with an excess of TOP$4,000. An excess reducer is available to purchase for approximately TOP$25 per day, which reduces the excess to TOP$2,500. A bond is also taken for all vehicle rentals via credit card pre-authorisation or cash of around TOP$200 for compact cars or TOP$500 for larger vehicles.
© TongaPocketGuide.comME Rentals
If you’re looking for a no-nonsense compact car that’s affordable and will get you from A to B, then that’s what ME Rentals is all about. The rental company is located in the Nuku’alofa suburb of Umusi. It is best to get a taxi to their office, as they mostly work off walk-ins. Otherwise, some of their vehicles are available for hire from NOA Guesthouse in Nuku’alofa city centre.
Pick-Up and Drop-Off Locations
Pick-up and drop-off services are available at their depot on Niuloa Road, Umusi, Nuku’alofa. Car rentals can also be picked up from NOA Guesthouse – see the 10 Best Guesthouses in Nuku’alofa & Tongatapu.
Vehicles Available
Vehicles offered by ME Rentals are mostly compact cars and the odd 4WD.
Approximate Price
Prices are subject to change. Cars with ME Rentals start from approximately TOP$50 per day for a compact car to TOP$120 per day for a 4WD. Cash only.
Insurance
No insurance is available. A bond is taken for all vehicle rentals via cash of around TOP$200 until the vehicle is returned. Damage fees will be negotiated with the rental operator. It’s best to be honest if something is broken.
© TongaPocketGuide.comLittle Italy Hotel
Exclusively available to hotel guests, Little Italy Hotel makes getting around easy from their Nuku’alofa location. They have just five vehicles available but there’s something for most here between the compact Toyota Vitz ideal for couples or solo travellers to the Toyota Estima for families or groups of up to seven. Just book your vehicle at reception!
Pick-Up and Drop-Off Locations
Pick-up and drop-off services are available at the Little Italy Hotel & Restaurant on Vuna Road, Kolomotu’a, Nuku’alofa.
Vehicles Available
Vehicles offered by Little Italy are Toyota Vitz, Belta and Yaris compact cars, a Toyota Estima people-mover and a Nissan Munro SUV.
Approximate Price
Prices are subject to change. Cars with Little Italy Hotel start from approximately TOP$70-$130 per day for a compact car to TOP$140 for a people-mover to TOP$190 for an SUV. Daily rates are reduced by TOP$10 per day if hiring for longer than one day Cash and card are accepted.
Insurance
No insurance is available. A bond is taken for all vehicle rentals via cash of around TOP$200 until the vehicle is returned. Damage fees will be negotiated with the rental operator. It’s best to be honest if something is broken.
More About Car Rentals in Tongatapu and Nuku’alofa
That’s it for our list of the best car rentals in Nuku’alofa and Tongatapu. For more about driving in Tonga, take a look at the following:
- The Driving Times in Tonga You Need to Know
- 10 Safety Tips for Driving in Tonga
- 10 Best Car Rentals in Tonga
Finally, if there’s anything we’ve missed, you’re likely to find it in The Guide to Car Hire in Tonga.
