How Long Does it Take to Travel Around Tonga? Interisland Travel Times and Distances
You can’t come to an archipelago of 169 islands and not do some island-hopping! Tonga’s five island groups have their own culture, landscapes and attractions, each feeling like their own unique country. But how long does it take to travel around Tonga? We go over the travel times and distances between the island groups in Tonga in this guide! For driving times on each island, check out The Driving Times & Distances in Tonga.
How to Get Around Tonga
Unless you have your own sailing yacht or are on a cruise, there are two main ways to get between the island groups of Tonga: ferries and flights. As for on-island travel, Tongatapu and Vava’u have taxis and bicycle rentals, while all of the main islands that tourists visit have car rentals and airport transfers.
Ferries in Tonga
The interisland ferries are the cheapest way to get between island groups at the expense of time, with ferry trips taking multiple hours. Learn about the ferry companies and more in The Guide to Interisland Ferry Travel in Tonga.
Flights in Tonga
Domestic flights are a faster way of getting between the island groups of Tonga. There is one domestic carrier in Tonga. They operate daily flights except on Sundays. Find out more about the airline, routes and more in The Guide to Domestic Flights in Tonga.
Before we jump into our guide on how long it takes to travel around Tonga, be sure to bookmark our Tonga Transport Guide: 10 Ways to Get Around Tonga for even more transport tips.
© TongaPocketGuide.comTravel Times in Tongatapu
Tonga’s southern island group, Tongatapu is home to Tonga’s largest island and the nation’s capital, Nuku’alofa. Domestic flights arrive/depart from the domestic terminal of Fua’amotu International Airport. Ferries arrive/depart from Taufa’ahau Tupou IV Domestic Wharf on the waterfront of Nuku’alofa.
For getting around Tongatapu, car rental, bicycle rental, buses, taxis, guided tours and accommodation transfers are available. Learn more about transport in Tongatapu in the 10 Ways to Get to (& Around) Tongatapu.
Flight and Ferry Travel Times to/from Tongatapu:
- Vava’u: 1-hour flight / 20-24 hours ferry (300 km/190 mi)
- Ha’apai: 50 mins flight / 13-14 hours ferry (170 km/106 mi)
- ‘Eua: 10 mins flight / 2-2 hrs 30 mins ferry (18 km/11 mi)
See more flight times in A Guide to Interisland Flights and ferry times in How to Use Ferries for Interisland Travel.
How Long Does it Take to Drive Around Tongatapu?
It takes approximately 3 hours to drive around Tongatapu along the 110 km (67 mi) coastal road. For more driving times between popular destinations, check out The Driving Times & Distances in Tonga.
How Long Does it Take to Cycle Around Tongatapu?
At a relaxed pace (12 kph / 7 mph), it takes approximately 9 hours to cycle around Tongatapu. This is 110 km (67 mi) cycling the outer coastal road. However, this can be reduced to 6 hrs 30 mins if travelling at 16 kph (10 mph) or even 5 hrs if travelling at 20 kph (12 mph). See more cycling times in The Cycling Times & Distances in Tonga.
© TongaPocketGuide.comTravel Times in ‘Eua
Tonga’s second-largest and oldest island is located less than 20 km (10 mi) southeast of Tongatapu. ‘Eua is only directly accessible from Tongatapu by flight or ferry. Coming from elsewhere in Tonga, you’ll need to make connections at Fua’amotu Airport or Taufa’ahau Tupou IV Wharf. The airport on ‘Eua is Kaufana Airport and the ferry terminal is at Nafauna Wharf in ‘Ohonua.
For getting around ‘Eua, car rental, accommodation transfers and guided tours are available. Learn more about transport in ‘Eua in the 5 Ways to Get to (& Around) ‘Eua.
Flight and Ferry Times to/from ‘Eua:
- Tongatapu: 10 mins flight / 2-2 hrs 30 mins ferry (18 km/11 mi)
See more flight times in A Guide to Interisland Flights and ferry times in How to Use Ferries for Interisland Travel.
How Long Does it Take to Drive Around ‘Eua?
It takes approximately 1 hr 15 mins to drive around ‘Eua if driving from Angaha to the northernmost village, down to Lakufa’anga Cliffs in the south and back. For more driving times between popular destinations, check out The Driving Times & Distances in Tonga.
© TongaPocketGuide.comTravel Times in Ha’apai
Ha’apai is Tonga’s central island group made up of 62 islands – 45 of which are uninhabited. The main island of the group is Lifuka, home to the Salote Pilolevu Airport which receives direct flights from Tongatapu daily (except Sundays). The main wharf is Taufa’ahau Wharf in Pangai.
For getting around Ha’apai, car rentals, bicycle rentals and accommodation transfers are available. Find out more about the transport in Ha’apai in the 7 Ways to Get to (& Around) Ha’apai.
Flight and Ferry Times to/from Ha’apai:
- Tongatapu: 50 mins flight / 13-14 hours ferry (170 km/106 mi)
- Vava’u: 7-10 hours ferry (135 km/85 mi)
See more flight times in A Guide to Interisland Flights and ferry times in How to Use Ferries for Interisland Travel.
How Long Does it Take to Drive Around Ha’apai?
It takes approximately 35 minutes to drive around Ha’apai if driving from Pangai to the bottom of Lifuka Island to the top of Foa Island and back. For more driving times between popular destinations, check out The Driving Times & Distances in Tonga.
How Long Does it Take to Cycle Around Ha’apai?
It takes approximately 2 hrs 55 mins to cycle around Ha’apai if, for example, you are cycling at a relaxed pace (12 kph / 7 mph) from Pangai to the bottom of Lifuka Island to the top of Foa Island and back, which is approximately 35 km (22 mi). However, this can be reduced to 2 hrs 15 mins if travelling at 16 kph (10 mph) or even 1 hr 50 mins if travelling at 20 kph (12 mph). See more cycling times in The Cycling Times & Distances in Tonga.
© TongaPocketGuide.comTravel Times in Vava’u
Vava’u is Tonga’s second-most developed island group made up of 50 islands. The largest island is connected to some others by causeways. Its ferry terminal is located at Halaevalu Wharf in the hub of the islands, Neiafu, while the Lupepauʻu Airport is a 15-minute drive away. Flights and ferries to/from Vava’u go to Ha’apai, Tongatapu and The Niuas.
For getting around Vava’u, taxis, car rentals, scooter rentals, bicycle rentals and accommodation transfers are available. See more about transport in Vava’u in the 10 Ways to Get to (& Around) Vava’u.
Flight and Ferry Times to/from Vava’u:
- Tongatapu: 1 hour flight / 20-24 hours ferry (300 km/190 mi)
- Ha’apai: 7-10 hours ferry (135 km/85 mi)
- Niuatoputapu: 1 hr 10 mins flight / 16 hours ferry (300 km/190 mi)
- Niuafo’ou: 1 hr 30 mins flight / 24 hours ferry (385 km/240 mi)
See more flight times in A Guide to Interisland Flights and ferry times in How to Use Ferries for Interisland Travel.
How Long Does it Take to Drive Around Vava’u?
It takes approximately 2 hours to drive around the main sights of ‘Utu Vava’u, Vava’u’s main island, which covers around 70 km (109 mi). For more driving times between popular destinations, check out The Driving Times & Distances in Tonga.
How Long Does it Take to Cycle Around Vava’u?
At a relaxed pace (12 kph / 7 mph), it takes approximately 6 hours to cycle around Vava’u. This is 70 km (110 mi) cycling between the main sights of ‘Utu Vava’u. However, this can be reduced to 4 hrs 20 mins if travelling at 16 kph (10 mph) or even 1 hr 50 mins if travelling at 20 kph (12 mph). See more cycling times in The Cycling Times & Distances in Tonga.
(c) Eunice PongipongiFlight and Ferry Times to The Niuas
The Niuas is Tonga’s most remote island group located in the far northern reaches of the country. The closest island group is Vava’u. To get there, flights depart from Vava’u once a week or fortnight, while two ferries depart about once a month.
As for getting around the main islands that make up The Niuas, Niuatoputapu and Niuafo’ou, visitors need to rely on walking or the locals for transport. Learn more about transport in The Niuas in the 5 Ways to Get to (& Around) The Niuas.
Flight and Ferry Times to/from Niuatoputapu:
- Vava’u: 1 hr 10 mins flight / 16 hours ferry (300 km/190 mi)
- Niuafo’ou: 12 hours ferry (200 km/130 mi)
Flight and Ferry Times to/from Niuafo’ou:
- Niuatoputapu: 12 hours ferry (200 km/130 mi)
- Vava’u: 1 hr 30 mins flight / 24 hours ferry (385 km/240 mi).
See more flight times in A Guide to Interisland Flights and ferry times in How to Use Ferries for Interisland Travel.
More on How Long it Takes to Travel Around Tonga
That’s it for our guide to the travel times and distances in Tonga and how long it takes to travel around Tonga. See how far a few days to two weeks can take you in our following itineraries:
- The Best Tonga Itineraries for 2 Weeks
- The Best Tonga Itineraries for 1 Week
- The Best Tonga Itineraries for 5 Days
- The Best Tonga Itineraries for 3 Days
Plus, be sure to look at our day-trip itineraries in A Self-Guided Day Trip of Tongatapu, A Self-Guided Day Trip of ‘Eua, A Self-Guided Day Trip of Ha’apai and A Self-Guided Day Trip of Vava’u.
