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Solomon Islands flagTransportation & Infrastructure Guide · Solomon Islands

Transportation & Infrastructure Guide in Solomon Islands

Public transit, airports, and getting around

The Solomon Islands, a Pacific archipelago of nearly 1,000 islands home to 687,000 people, faces exceptional transport challenges due to its dispersed geography. Maritime travel dominates inter-island movement, supplemented by a rudimentary 1,390 km road network (only 2% paved) prone to climate damage. Aviation offers limited domestic links via 41 airports, with Honiara International as the key gateway. Public options are informal, favoring private boats, vehicles, and walking; strengths include international aid boosting resilience, while challenges persist in maintenance, access (52% Rural Access Index), and fossil fuel dependency contributing 25% of emissions.
Public Transport
Below Average
Road Infrastructure
Below Average
Public Transport
2.5/10

Minimal formal public transport; no metro, rail, or organized networks. Informal buses in Honiara improved via 2025 JICA project, but coverage is limited, unreliable, and disconnected. Boat services essential for inter-island travel.

Road Infrastructure
2.8/10

Rudimentary network of 1,390 km (33-57 km paved per sources), mostly unpaved plantation roads. Poor maintenance due to rain, earthquakes, tsunamis; urban Honiara streets disconnected. Upgrades via ADB, Australia (SBD 60M in 2025), SIRAP for climate resilience.

Internet Speed
3.2/10

Basic connectivity with urban-rural gaps; mobile networks cover 95% (2G), 45% (3G), 20% (LTE) as of 2018, likely improved by 2026 but limited fiber. Speeds adequate for basics in Honiara, poor in remote islands.

Avg: 25+ Mbps • Very limited; primarily mobile broadband in urban areas like Honiara

Airport Connectivity
4.2/10

41 airports (1 paved international at Honiara, 35 unpaved domestic, 3 heliports). Basic regional links to Australia, Fiji, PNG; no major hub. SIRAP/PAIP upgrades Honiara and Munda for ICAO standards.

Hubs: Honiara International (HIR)

Transportation Costs

Metro Pass
N/A (no formal system)
Bus Trip
Informal; ~SBD 5-10 single ride in Honiara
Taxi
N/A; shared taxis ~SBD 10-20/trip
High-speed Train
N/A (no rail network)

Mobile Network

5G Coverage: Limited or no deployment as of 2026; focused on Honiara if available
4G Coverage: Partial; 20% LTE coverage (2018), expanded in urban areas, limited rural/islands

Reliable in major towns like Honiara via providers like Telekom; spotty in remote areas due to geography. 2G covers 95%, supporting basic mobile money and comms.

Driving License

IDP requiredConversion needed

Foreign licenses valid for 3 months with IDP (required for non-English). Long-term residents must convert to Solomon Islands license via test. Drives on left.

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