Social ConventionsShaking hands is a suitable form of greeting. Although by Western standards Tongan people are by no means rich, meals served to visitors will usually be memorable. A token of appreciation, while not expected, is always welcome, especially gifts from the visitor’s homeland. Casual wear is acceptable, but beachwear should be confined to the beach. It is illegal for both men and women to go shirtless in public. Sunday is regarded as a sacred day, an aspect of Tongan life thrown into sharp relief by the controversy surrounding the so-called ’Tongan loop’.
The International Date Line forms a loop around the islands, thereby making them a day ahead of Samoa, even though Samoa is almost due north of Tonga. Members of the Seventh Day Adventist Church therefore maintain that a Tongan Sunday is really a Saturday, and are unwilling to attend church on a day which is only a Sunday because of an apparently arbitrary manifestation of international law. This complex and almost insoluble problem may cause visitors a certain amount of confusion, but travelers to Tonga are advised to respect the religious beliefs of the islanders.
International Travel:Getting There by AirThe main airline serving Tonga is
Air Pacific (website:
www.airpacific.com).
Air New Zealand and
Polynesian Airlines also serve the country.
Air PassesVisit the South Pacific Pass: valid for many airlines operating in the South Pacific, including most of the larger ones, such as
Air Caledonie,
Air Marshall Islands,
Air Nauru,
Air Niugini,
Air Pacific,
Air Vanuatu,
Polynesian Airlines,
Qantas and
Solomon Airlines. Offering reductions of up to 40% on normal airfares, this sector-based pass allows for flexible island-hopping between the destinations of the Cook Islands, Fiji, Nauru, New Caledonia, Samoa, Tahiti, Tonga, Vanuatu and the more remote Melanesian and Micronesian islands, together with major cities in Australia (Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney) and New Zealand (Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington). It is only available for people resident outside of the South Pacific. The journey must be started outside the South Pacific and only one stopover in Australia is allowed. A minimum of two sectors must be bought before departure (extra sectors can be purchased en route). There is a maximum of one pass per person, and passes must be used within six months of the first day of travel. Children under 12 years of age pay 75% of the adult fare. For details and conditions, contact the
South Pacific Tourism Organization (see
General Info).
Departure TaxTOP25 for all passengers; children under 12 years of age and transit passengers continuing within 24 hours are exempt.
Main AirportsFua’Amotu (TBU) is 13km (8 miles) from Nuku’alofa.
To/from the airport: Transport by taxi and bus is available.
Facilities: There are car hire services, bars, bank/bureau de change, shops, tourist information and a duty-free shop.
Getting There by WaterMain ports: Neiafu,
Niuatoputapu,
Nuku’alofa and
Pangai.
There are no regular passenger services, but berths may be available on
cruise ships.
OverviewThe following goods may be imported into Tonga without incurring customs duty by persons over 18 years of age only:
200 cigarettes or 250g of cigars or 250g of tobacco;
1l of alcoholic liquor (only for persons 21 years and over);
reasonable quantity of perfume;
one camera and personal belongings.
(a) The import of arms, ammunition and pornography is prohibited. (b) Birds, animals, fruit and plants are subject to quarantine regulations. (c) The export of valuable artifacts and certain flora and fauna is restricted.
Internal Travel:Getting Around By AirDomestic carriers
Peau Vava'u (PVL) (website:
www.peauvavau.to) and
Airlines Tonga (website:
www.airlinestonga.com) provide inter-island services.
Getting Around by WaterLocal ferries sail between all the island groups. There are regular sailings from Faua Wharf in Nuku'alofa to Ha'apai and Vava'u. Ferry schedules are subject to change according to demand or the weather.
Getting Around by RoadTraffic drives on the left. There is a good network of metalled roads, although with some potholes. Horses are often used. The low speed limits are strictly obeyed.
Bus: Minibus services are available throughout Tongatapu.
Taxi: Saloon-car taxis, minimokes and mini-buses are available.
Car hire: May be arranged through various agencies. Self-drive or chauffeur-driven cars are available.
Documentation: A current local driving license is required, available from the Police Traffic Department in Nuku'alofa on production of a valid national or international license, the fee and a passport. The minimum driving age is 18.
Journey TimesThe following chart gives approximate travel times (in hours and minutes) from
Nuku’alofa to other major centers on Tonga.
| | Air | Sea |
| Neiafu (Vava’u) | 1.00 | 24.00 |
| Pangai (Ha’apai) | 0.30 | 18.00 |
| ’Eua | 0.10 | 3.00 |
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