Is There Uber In French Polynesia In 2022?
Planning a trip to the incredible islands of French Polynesia and curious to know if there is Uber on any of the islands?
Unfortunately, the answer to your question is no. There is no Uber on French Polynesia.. at least not in 2022. And while that may change in the future, it’s important that you know exactly how to get around when you are visiting this paradise archipelago.
Is There Uber In Moorea, French Polynesia?
We spent two months on the island of Moorea and our biggest question was, how are we supposed to get around? Is there Uber in Moorea that we can call up and take if we want to go hiking, beach-hopping, or to a nice dinner at one of the many resorts.
As stated above, there is not Uber on Moorea, but there are many other transportation options to consider.
Are There Taxis On Moorea?
First and foremost, you’ll need to decide whether you would like to drive yourself around the island or if you’d like someone else to drive you.
If you don’t want to drive yourself, there are several options. There are taxis on Moorea and you can call to order them at any time. The easiest way to hail a taxi is by booking one in advance.
👉 For those who are arriving on the island either by ferry or plane, I recommend booking your transfer here with Tahiti Nui Travel.
👉 For those departing Moorea, book your transfer with the same company here.
With Tahiti Nui Travel, you’ll get the lowest rate on the island. Rather than spending $40+ for a 5-mile ride to your hotel, you’ll pay a fraction of the cost.
Will My Moorea Hotel Provide A Free Shuttle Taxi?
Another question people typically wonder is if their hotel or resort on Moorea will provide a free shuttle from the pier or the airport.
We stayed in several hotels and Airbnbs during our two-month stay on the island, and even the fanciest hotels (Sofitel, Hilton, etc.) require you to pay for your own transfer. Sure, they will set up a transfer for you, but you will still need to pay for it. And unfortunately, having the hotel book the taxi for you tends to cost much, much more.
Use the link we referenced above to catch a ride with Tahiti Nui Travel instead. You’ll save money so you can spend more on piña coladas!
Do I Need A Car On Moorea?
With that said, there are several downfalls to taking a taxi. You won’t be able to move around at your leisure, and if you take a taxi more than twice, you’ll be racking up a big bill.
If you want to explore more of the island, you might consider renting a car for your time on Moorea.
But here’s the catch… I don’t actually recommend renting a car ON Moorea. I suggest renting a car in Papeete (Tahiti) and taking it over on the ferry. Why? Because it’s going to be a heck of a lot cheaper and you’re going to do business with a better rental car company.
You might be a bit concerned and worried that taking a car over to Moorea from Tahiti via ferry will be difficult, but it’s actually very simple. You can read all about the ferry from Tahiti to Moorea here.
To book your rental car, go to RentalCars.com by clicking here.
With RentalCars.com, you’ll get the widest selection of cars in Papeete. But here’s a hint.. you’ll get much better customer service at Hertz Tahiti than you will at Europcar Tahiti, so pay attention to which company you choose.
Is There Uber In Tahiti, French Polynesia?
Again, the unfortunate answer to, “Is there Uber in Tahiti?” is no. Uber has not made its way across the Pacific to French Polynesia yet. But similar to Moorea, there are many transportation options in Tahiti.
Are There Taxis In Tahiti?
Taxis are abundant in Tahiti, but prepare to pay top dollar. We were lucky to find an affordable transfer service in Moorea, but we didn’t share that same fate in Tahiti.
Because this is a massive tour destination, and a luxury one at that, taxis are not cheap. Even for a 5-minute ride from the airport into the town of Papeete, you’ll pay upwards of $40 one-way.
And since most flights arriving in Papeete come in at night, you will likely need to stay in the night in Tahiti until you can leave for Moorea or Bora Bora in the morning. That means finding a way to get to your hotel or Airbnb is a must.
If convenience is what you seek when you arrive in French Polynesia, you might consider pre-booking a private shuttle here.
You’ll be picked up by the same awesome company we mentioned before (Tahiti Nui Travel), but keep in mind, this option will not be cheap.
How Much Is A Taxi In Tahiti?
The burning question everyone’s been wondering.. “how much is a taxi in Tahiti?” Well, it depends!
If you plan on going from the airport to your hotel in Papeete, you could pay anywhere from $30 to well over $100 depending on the number of people in your group, the time of day, the type of taxi (shared vs. private), and how far you’ll need to drive.
Taking a taxi in town should be a bit cheaper since you won’t be coming from the airport; there are always higher prices on airport taxis, but this is true for most places in the world.
Do I Need A Car In Tahiti?
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly option for getting around Tahiti, I strongly suggest renting a car and driving yourself. Not only will you get to explore the island at your own pace, but you’ll likely save a lot of money in the process.
Again, we recommend using RentalCars.com for the best prices and a variety of companies to choose from (remember: Hertz Tahiti is much better than Europcar Tahiti).
Is There Public Transportation In Tahiti?
While we didn’t personally experience public transportation in Tahiti, we do know that it exists. There is also a public bus on Moorea as well. And while this may seem like a smart option for budget travelers, public transportation on French Polynesia is very.. well.. “go at their own pace.”
There isn’t a set schedule and if there is, it isn’t followed. I would not recommend depending on public transportation on either Tahiti or Moorea.
Renting a car or booking a transfer service is a much more reliable option.
Is There Uber In Bora Bora, French Polynesia?
Womp, womp.. Uber does not exist in Bora Bora, French Polynesia either. Here are a few alternative transportation options for you when you arrive on the beautiful island paradise of Bora Bora.
Are There Taxis On Bora Bora?
Yes, you will absolutely find taxis on Bora Bora. However, you must keep in mind that the rate for taxis is a bit outrageous. But on one of the most luxurious islands in the world, what did we expect?
When you arrive, you’ll likely need a taxi or boat taxi to bring you and your luggage to your resort. While many resorts like the Intercontinental Bora Bora Le Moana and the Le Bora Bora offer airport transfers, you will need to pay an additional fee.
Note: These “additional fees” that the resorts charge each guest can run as high as $60 per person one-way.
If you’d like to book your transfer ahead of time with a flat rate, you can check prices with this awesome company: Lady Pearl Bora Bora Shuttle Service. In particular, we appreciated that Lady Pearl Bora Bora gave discounts to larger groups, so keep this in mind.
Do I Need A Car On Bora Bora?
Renting a car in Bora Bora isn’t the smartest idea for many reasons.
Here’s the deal.. Bora Bora is an island surrounded by a reef. Along that reef, you’ll also find unattached sections of the island. This means that not every resort will have direct access to the main island. You’ll need to take a boat taxi instead.
Bora Bora is also a small island that spans just a few miles wide. Instead of renting a car, you can easily get around the island by bike. Biking around the island is so common that many hotels and resorts will provide bikes to use for free.
Hotels On Bora Bora With Free Bikes
The following accommodation options provide free bikes for riding around the island:
But, if you’re not keen on biking around the island, you can absolutely rent a car or a rental boat instead.
For car rental on the island, use RentalCars.com to secure the lowest daily prices on car rental for Bora Bora. When using RentalCars.com, be sure to choose Avis Rental Car on the island. They are the best to work with.
For boat rental on the island, you can find an incredible deal with La Plage Tours by clicking here.
Uber In French Polynesia: FAQs
I hope we’ve been able to answer all of your questions surrounding Uber in French Polynesia, but if not, I’ve covered a few more burning questions that people tend to have:
Do I Need An International Driver’s License In French Polynesia?
No, you do not need an international driver’s license to rent a car in French Polynesia. Make sure you bring your passport, a credit card, and a driver’s license from your home country, and you’ll be all set.
Tips For Driving Around French Polynesia
✅ Unlimited Mileage: If you’re going to be on one of the bigger islands like Tahiti or Moorea, you’ll want to make sure your car rental comes with unlimited mileage. There is so much to explore in each of these places that you won’t want to limit yourself.
✅ Fuel Cost: As with everything else on the island, it is expensive to buy gas on any of the French Polynesian islands. Keep this in mind if you decide to rent a car and drive around the island.
✅ Speed: Things are very relaxed on all of the islands. There are constantly kids playing near the streets and fruit stands on the side of the road. Be cautious and take things slow for everyone’s benefit.
Conclusion: Is There Uber In French Polynesia?
I hope we did an okay job answering your questions about Uber in French Polynesia. The bottom line is, there isn’t Uber on any of the islands in French Polynesia, including Moorea, Bora Bora, or Tahiti.
But, there are plenty of other methods of transportation to look into.
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