Transportation & Infrastructure Guide in French Polynesia
Public transit, airports, and getting around
Public Transport
Road Infrastructure
Public Transport
4.2/10Limited to Tahiti's Le Truck bus system (affordable but irregular schedules, covers main routes and tourist sites). No metro, trains, or railways. Ferries connect Society Islands like Tahiti-Moorea-Bora Bora. Minimal integration; domestic flights essential for other archipelagos. Operating hours vary, low frequency outside peak times.
Road Infrastructure
5.1/102,590 km highways total (1,735 km paved, 855 km unpaved as of 1999 data). No motorways; roads adequate on Tahiti but winding, steep in places. Rural islands have basic networks. Maintenance fair in urban areas, poorer remotely. Traffic light, right-hand driving. Safety good daytime, cautious night driving advised.
Internet Speed
5.8/10Average fixed broadband ~75 Mbps (2025 Speedtest data), mobile ~60 Mbps. Fiber expanding in Tahiti urban zones via Vini/OPT, but limited to major islands. Rural/atoll connectivity lags via satellite/3G/4G. Growing investments bridge urban-rural gap.
Avg: 75+ Mbps • Urban Tahiti/Papeete expanding; limited on outer islands, satellite common remotely
Airport Connectivity
7.2/1057 airports (37 paved, 26 major/medium), Faa'a (PPT) primary international hub with Air Tahiti Nui, Air France, French Bee, Delta, United (40% capacity growth). Domestic via Air Tahiti/Air Moana. Planned Nuku Hiva intl airport for Marquesas. Strong Pacific/US/Europe links, good for tourism.
Hubs: Faa'a International (PPT), Bora Bora (BOB), Rangiroa (RGI)
Transportation Costs
- Metro Pass
- N/A (no metro)
- Bus Trip
- 500-800 XPF (~€4-6) Le Truck single ride
- Taxi
- 500 XPF start + 200 XPF/km (~€4 + €1.7/km)
- High-speed Train
- N/A (no trains)
Mobile Network
Reliable Vini (OPT) monopoly with Vodafone roaming; high urban speeds, but remote islands depend on satellite backups. Good for calls/data on tourist routes.
Driving License
EU/EEA licenses valid up to 1 year with IDP recommended. Non-EU need IDP with national license. Long-term residents (>1 year) must exchange for French Polynesia permit via local authorities. Right-hand driving. Rentals require 21+ age, valid license.
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