Cost of a trip to Tahiti
Budgeting is the crucial point in any vacation. Friends or family trip, honeymoon… how should you set your budget for a trip to French Polynesia? In fact, going to Tahiti is a bit like going on a ski trip: on the one hand, there are the unavoidable expenses (ski passes, shuttles, resorts, equipment, etc.), and on the other, the options you're willing to choose. Every Tahitian experience is as unique as the travelers living it!
To visit Tahiti, Bora Bora, or any other Polynesian island and enjoy the beautiful beaches and crystal-clear waters, you need a plane ticket for your flight, accommodation for your nights, and a ride (there's no such thing as public transportation or services like Uber). The cost of excursions and food can vary.
So, how much does it cost to travel to Tahiti? A night in an overwater bungalow is much more expensive than in a traditional hotel, but there's something for all travelers and all budgets. Let us help you organize your travel budget so you can discover the wonders of the Pacific. Here are the main expenses to consider.
Essential travel expenses in French Polynesia
Round-trip airfare to Tahiti
Unless you're chartering a sailboat or working on a cargo ship from the US to Papeete, flying is the best way to reach The Islands of Tahiti.
Depending on your travel class (Moana Economy, Moana Premium or Poerava Business) and your departing airport (Paris, Los Angeles, Seattle, Auckland or Tokyo), you can expect to pay a few hundred dollars for your flight.
Air Tahiti Nui offers international flights from nearly a hundred destinations (New York, Las Vegas, San Francisco, Belgium, Australia…) thanks to our codeshare flights and interline partnerships. To find the best prices from your home to Papeete Tahiti international airport, take a look at our packages to find our current fares and deals.
a look at our packages to find our current fares and deals.
While planning your trip to French Polynesia, don't forget to include the cost of inter island travel (flights or boat rides) if you want to visit other islands from Tahiti, like Bora Bora, Rangiroa or Huahine, for example.
Discover the best offer among our packages and promotional fares, and request a quote to find out the cost of a trip to Tahiti.
Accommodation price
Hotel prices also vary according to the islands you choose. Although Bora Bora is known for its luxury, there are less expensive options for the budget-conscious traveler: Moorea and Huahine are excellent choices.
No, you won't be sleeping on a towel on the beach around a campfire; mosquito-free nights are precious. But from a basic camping experience to a five-star resort & spa palace, or from guesthouses (authentic local guesthouses) to other furnished tourist accommodation ( available for rent on specialized platforms)… you'll generally find room rates to suit your budget (starting at 80$ US per night).
A room in an overwater bungalow is a good choice if you have a larger budget. You'll wake up with an amazing view of the Pacific Ocean, before heading off to the spa for a traditional massage or exploring the lagoon.
For a more limited budget, consider a standard accommodation package. Many establishments offer magnificent views and provide equipment for your excursions (kayak, paddle, etc.).
Your hotel may also offer breakfast or dinner, for example. Finding accommodation with meals included is a good option to keep in mind when planning your expenses.
Save money by picking one of our vacation packages (international flights + resort included).
Transportation costs in French Polynesia
Choose your transportation according to the activities you'd like to do, the length of your stay and the island you'll be visiting. Car rental is particularly convenient if you want to travel alone in Tahiti, Moorea, Raiatea or Bora Bora, for example. But most of the islands are also easy to explore on two wheels: scooter rentals generally start at just a few dozen dollars a day. In the atolls and smaller islands, bicycles are also a highly practical option. Some hotels rent or lend bicycles to their guests.
Your transportation budget can also be included in the price of your hotel if you plan to travel solely on shuttles between the airport, the hotel and the various activities offered by the establishment's partner service providers.
You can also travel between islands by plane or boat. Check with the companies involved to find the best deal. Fares vary according to the archipelago and the season.
Food and Restaurant Budgets
The average cost of a meal ranges from 20 to 50 USD, depending on the restaurant. Once again, all options are yours: one of the most economical and fun is the roulottes (food trucks). From 5p.m., food trucks set up their tables and chairs, fire up their barbecues, and cook up their specialties. Average prices here are around 15 $ US per person, with a main course starting at 10 $ US. Portions are generous, so you might even have some of your next day's lunch.
Supermarkets, some with well-known French or American names, can be found on all The Islands of Tahiti. Small Chinese convenience stores too. Tahiti's cost of living is also linked to taxes on imported products. Prices are therefore higher than in mainland France.
To stick to your budget, don't hesitate to buy local. There are plenty of roadside stalls selling fruit and vegetables, ready-made meals and freshly caught fish.
Entertainment expenses, shows and excursion fares
Despite popular belief, there's a lot to do for free on our islands.
The beaches of some hotels (Bora Bora and Moorea in particular) are for residents only, and some coastlines (in Tahiti and Moorea in particular) are inaccessible due to housing. However, there are many public beaches on the Polynesian islands. On atolls like Rangiroa (in the Tuamotu Archipelago), you can swim almost anywhere. The best spots are accessible everywhere. Naturally, snorkeling is free.
In French Polynesia, some sites offer magnificent hiking trails with a variety of themes. Some are not accessible to the public or require the presence of a guide (such as Moorea's "Montagne Percée"). In this case, you'll have to pay. But most of them are easily accessible thanks to physical signs or by using your smartphone. Be sure to bring the appropriate equipment for hiking.
The botanical gardens (Tahiti, Raiatea) are free to enter, just like the Musée de la Perle (Pearl Museum) in Papeete. Other excursions and tours are budget friendly. The collections of the Musée de Tahiti, for example, can be enjoyed for a very reasonable price.
Kayaks, paddles and snorkeling equipment can be rented, but are often provided by your hotels and guesthouses. A budget friendly option to save money and enjoy the lagoon every day!
Tahitian dance shows are usually included with dinner in the restaurants of major hotels (Tahiti, Bora Bora, Moorea...). Be sure to save enough for this kind of show, as it must be experienced at least once during your stay.
Of course, a boat trip to the lagoon with a picnic in the sand, an island tour on a quad bike in Huahine, a rental car or two-wheeler in Moorea, a jet ski excursion or helicopter flight in Bora Bora, or scuba diving in Rangiroa, all have a price. But there are plenty of options for that too. You're sure to find one that suits your budget.
Means of payment accepted in the islands are credit or debit cards, and cash, occasionally in usd or euros and always in Pacific francs (Tahitian currency).
So, what's the budget for a trip to Tahiti?
Do you prefer an all-inclusive stay in overwater bungalows or a backpacking and camping adventure? Every Polynesian holiday is unique. The cost of your trip to Tahiti will depend on your desires and plans. However, The Islands of Tahiti's greatest asset is nature: beaches, lagoons, mountains and sunshine are all free resources. So, you can enjoy French Polynesia at low cost or in the utmost luxury.
To work out a more precise budget, numerous websites, travel agencies and discussions on platforms and social networks will quickly tell you the total amount you're looking for.
Rest assured that Air Tahiti Nui will fulfill its mission of taking you to Paradise on Earth. Find your Tahiti vacation package here.
The price of your dreams is up to you!