The Cost of Domestic Flights in Tonga
It’s no news that air travel is an expensive form of getting around. As you’ll see from the typical airfares stated below, flights in Tonga are pretty pricey too. But combined with the convenience and speed of getting around, you might find that taking a flight instead of other overwater travel methods might just be worth it… Plan your budget for Tonga following the costs (and money-saving tips) in this guide to the cost of flights in Tonga.
Note that prices in this article are approximate, as fare rates can often change. For our full guide to interisland travel by plane, see The Guide to Domestic Flights in Tonga.
5 Ways to Save Money on Flights in Tonga
- Look out for seasonal sales on the Lulutai Facebook Page, such as “off-peak” fares to Vava’u, “Back to School Special” at the beginning of July, and “Family Month Specials” in May.
- Purchase a Standard Fare instead of a Flexi Fare for a cheaper rate (this just means you’ll incur an approximate TOP$30 fee if you need to reschedule your flight)
- Travelling light? There are fares with a baggage allowance of 15 kg (33 lbs) available at a cheaper rate.
- Be aware of the baggage allowance, which is 23 kg (55 lbs) or 15kg (33 lbs) depending on your chosen fare. Going over 1 kg (2 lbs) over the baggage allowance can incur extra charges
- Book over the phone or by email; as not all fare types are displayed on the Lulutai Airlines’ website.
More handy tips for flying in Tonga can be found in Flights in Tonga: 10 Things You Need to Know. For ways to save money on your international flight, find more tips in our guide, How to Book a Cheap Flight to Tonga.
© TongaPocketGuide.comTonga Domestic Flight Prices
Domestic flights are the easiest, fastest and most comfortable way to travel between the island groups of Tonga. However, this comes at a considerably more expensive fare than what is experienced through ferry travel. Note that flights are only available between islands with airports in Tonga, as there are no charter or helicopter services in Tonga for tourists. See Airports in Tonga: Where Can you Fly to in Tonga? to see which islands you can fly to in Tonga.
Typical Prices for Domestic Flights in Tonga
To give you an idea of how much it costs to fly in Tonga, here are a few examples of popular routes and how much they typically cost. The following prices are one-way fares only (return fares are the same as two one-way fares). The cheapest prices represent the approximate cost of a 15kg-bag fare, while the most expensive represents the approximately 23kg-bag fare.
- Tongatapu to Vava’u – Around TOP$340-$390/adult, TOP$230-$295/child, TOP$35/infant
- Tongatapu to Ha’apai – Around TOP$240-$260/adult, TOP$160-$180/child, TOP$25/infant
- Tongatapu to ‘Eua – Around TOP$100/adult, TOP$50/child, TOP$10/infant
- Vava’u to Niuatoputapu – Around TOP$350/adult, TOP$240/child, TOP$40/infant
- Vava’u to Niuafo’ou – Around TOP$450/adult, TOP$300/child, TOP$40/infant.
Note that “infant fares” are for ages 0-2 years old, “child fares” are for ages 2 to 11, and “adult fares” are for ages 12+ years.
(c) tongapocketguide.comOther Costs of Flying in Tonga
Apart from your flight ticket, there are other costs associated with flying in Tonga. There are fees when rescheduling or refunding a flight, as well as for excess baggage, which are as stated below.
Charges to Be Aware of
- Rescheduling a flight (non-Flexi tickets) – Around TOP$30 per person
- Rescheduling a flight within 48 hours (24 hours for Flexi ticketholders) – Around TOP$50 per person
- Ticket refund – Around TOP$50 per person
- Excess baggage – Around TOP$4-$10 per kg
- Oversized baggage – Around TOP$40.
For more budgeting tips, see What is the Cost of Travelling in Tonga.
More About Tonga Airfares and the Cost to Fly in Tonga
That’s it for our list of airfares and how much domestic flights cost in Tonga. For more about interisland travel in The Kingdom, take a look at the following:
- Domestic Flights in Tonga: A Guide to Interisland Flights
- Flights in Tonga: 10 Things You Need to Know
- How Much Do Ferries Cost in Tonga?
Finally, if there’s anything we’ve missed, you’re likely to find it in Tonga Travel Budget: How Much Does a Trip to Tonga Cost? and Tonga Transport Guide: 10 Ways to Get Around Tonga.
