Fiji is easy to get around with a choice of air and ferry connections between the islands, while hire cars, buses and taxis are good for exploring the main islands.
Air: Fiji Airways, operating as Fiji Link (www.fijiairways.com), offers shuttle services throughout the islands. Flight time from Nadi to Suva is around 30 minutes.
Domestic flights operate from both Nadi and Suva airports on Viti Levu. Other domestic airports include Savusavu and Labasa on Vanua Levu, Vunisea on Kadavu, Matei on Taveuni, Bureta on Ovalau, Koro on Lomaiviti, Vanuabalavu and Cicia on Northern Lau, Lakeba on Southern Lau and Rotuma.
Other smaller islands with airstrips include Yasawa Island, and Malololailai and Mana islands in the Mamanucas.
Alternatively, chartered seaplanes or helicopters can get you almost everywhere in the Mamanuca and Yasawa island groups.
Turtle Airways (www.turtleairways.com) operates a seaplane service to numerous resorts in the Mamanuca and Yasawa island groups from Nadi. Pacific Island Air (www.pacificislandair.com) offers an air charter service between various resorts and islands.
Sea: Most resorts provide their own free pick-up and drop-off boat service. Yachts and cabin cruisers are available for charter and are a great way to explore the Fiji archipelago.
Inter-island travel is mainly by water taxis and/or ferries. Several ferries operate between the major islands, including South Sea Cruises (tel: +67 9 675 0500; www.ssc.com.fj), Awesome Adventures Fiji (tel: +67 9 675 0499; www.awesomefiji.com), Patterson Brothers (tel: +67 9 331 5644; www.fijisearoad.com) and Consort Shipping.
Regular ferry services link Viti Levu to Vanua Levu, Taveuni, Ovalau and Kadavu. The Suva-Taveuni route is the busiest in the country with cabin-type sleepers available on selected routes. On short inter-island routes, speed boats and small ferries are used.
Captain Cook Cruises offers three to seven night cruises around the Yasawas, a seven-night cruise around Vanua Levu (also taking in Levuka), and an 11-night cruise around Kadavu and the Lau Group. All departures sail from Port Denarau.
Fiji has a relatively good network of roads on the islands of Viti Levu and Vanua Levu, both of which are fun to explore by car, 4WD or motorcycle.
However, you need watch out for potholes, washouts and dilapidated bridges in the rural areas as well as speed bumps in villages. It's advisable to slow down when driving through villages as locals use the roads as footpaths.
Traffic drives on the left-hand side of the road. The speed limit is 80kph (50mph) on highways, 50kph (31mph) in built-up areas and 20kph (12mph) in villages. Many villages have speed humps to force drivers to slow down. Seatbelts are compulsory for front-seat passengers.
The main roads on Viti Levu follow the coast, linking all the main centres. Both the Queens Road and the Kings Road are fully sealed. The drive time from Nadi International Airport to Suva – 200km (125mi) – is around three hours 30 minutes.
A sealed road runs from Labasa to Savusavu and the first 20km of the Hibiscus Hwy from Savusavu along the scenic coast is also paved; elsewhere expect unpaved surfaces. Roads into Viti Levu’s interior are unsealed and a 4WD is often necessary.
You also need to watch out for sugar trains during the cane-cutting season because they have right of way. Dogs wandering onto the road can be a major hazard so observe the speed-hump-enforced 20kph (12mph) rule when driving through villages.
It's best to avoid driving at night as there are many pedestrians and wandering animals – especially along the southeast coast of Viti Levu, on Vanua Levu and on Taveuni.
Car hire: Several international car hire companies provide services at Nadi International Airport and in the main cities, including Avis, Budget and Europcar. If you plan on going off the beaten track it's probably best to hire a 4-WD. Limousines and chauffeurs are also available.
Car-rental agencies on Vanua Levu and Taveuni have mostly 4WDs due to the islands’ rough roads.
Typically, the larger companies have better cars and support but are more expensive. Rates for a week or more with an international company start at around US$125 per day, excluding tax, but the same car can cost an extra 50% per day for just one or two days’ hire. It’s usual to pay a deposit by credit card. If you don’t have a credit card you’ll need to leave a hefty cash bond.
Although not widely available, motorcycles and scooters are also available. Similar traffic rules and rental conditions as for car rental apply to motorcycles and scooters.
If you're planning an inter-island adventure, you should check if the car hire agency allows you to take the vehicles on the roll-on, roll-off ferries to Vanua Levu, Taveuni or Ovalau. If you do take a car on to Vanua Levu it’s best to hire a 4WD.
You'll need a current driving licence from an English-speaking country or an international driving permit to drive in Fiji.
The minimum-age requirement is 21 years old, or in some cases 25 years old. Third-party insurance is compulsory. Some car-rental companies include it in their daily rates while others add it at the end (count on US$25 to US$30 at least).
Personal accident insurance is highly recommended if you are not already covered by travel insurance. Renters are liable for the first $500 damage. Common exclusions include tyre damage, underbody and overhead damage, windscreen damage and theft of the vehicle.
Taxis: Taxis are available on Viti Levu, Vanua Levu, Taveuni and Ovalau. Drivers use meters in Suva, but not in Nadi, Lautoka and most rural areas. If the taxi does have a meter, ask the driver to switch it on – it will likely be significantly cheaper than a negotiated price.
The Fijian government regulates taxi fares which are set at F$1.50 between 0600-2200, with 10 cents added for every 100m (328 ft). Outside of those hours, the base fare is F$2.
There are two types of taxis in Fiji: private and shared. Private taxis are regular metered cabs; shared taxis are large vans that wait to fill-up with passengers before setting off.
In Suva, taxi companies include Regent Taxis Suva (+679-331-2100). Nadi also boasts several cab companies, including Tanoa Taxi Services (+679-672-2052).
Bicycle: Cycling offers a good way to explore Viti Levu, Vanua Levu and parts of Ovalau and Taveuni.
With the exception of the Kings and Queens Roads, most roads are hilly and unsealed, so mountain bikes are the best option.
Cycling is best undertaken in the dry season from May to October. On Viti Levu, bike hire can be arranged through Stinger Bicycle Tours in Nadi.
Bus: Fiji’s extensive bus network is frequent, inexpensive and a great way to mix with the locals.
There are three categories: local, express and inter-city buses. Local buses are inexpensive, but lack modern comforts, however, they can be flagged down at almost any stop. Local buses travel within major cities and between towns and villages.
Express local buses cannot be hailed as they have set routes. These buses are a little more expensive than regular services and usually leave from main stations in each city, town and village.
Inter-city buses are generally modern, air-conditioned coaches that only travel between cities. Most of these coaches pick up and drop off passengers at resorts. The main route for coaches is between Nadi and Suva, with services operating several times a day along the scenic Coral Coast.
Several companies offer comfortable air-conditioned express buses on Viti Levu, including Pacific Transport, Sunbeam Transport and Coral Sun. Pacific Transport also operates services on Taveuni. Timetables available online.
Latest update: How to get to Fiji: 11 May, 2022
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