Lonely Planet™ · Thorn Tree Forum · 2020

How to use FIJI BUS with card/cash

Country forums / Pacific Islands & Papua New Guinea / Fiji

Hi, I m planing to go to FIJI, somebody plz help me with the questions-

1- How do I pay the bus fare ? cash or E-Ticket/Disposable card?

If its disposable card, then how do I use that card in the bus, while getting on or getting off ? is there any card reader inside all public buses? I m very confused.

2- Can I get tourist E-Ticket/Disposable Card at the NADI Airport?

3- How do I get to Point A to Point B by bus as a tourist? is there a conductor inside the bus to help or should I ask the driver?

4- Can I get on and get off the bus anywhere in the road?

5-How do I know the different bus routes, is the bus numbered? is there any mobile app that can help?

Some help wud be appreciated

I've used the bus from Suva to the airport in Nadi and reverse many times, things may have changed in the 3 years since I lived there. I had a cash ticket bought from a ticket seller before I got on the bus, your ticket will be checked several times while on the bus. I would just tell the bus driver where you want to get off if its on the route. You can go right around the main island by bus., there are local buses in the big towns and these have a different ticketing system

1

Thnk u very much, do the local bus drivers speak English?
Now they have a disposable card which is available only in the bus, I will use them. How do you know the bus routes? Is the bus numbered?

2

you can check the internet for the buses between Nadi and Suva, or from Suva around the Island, that will give you the times and the routine stops. Everyone in Fiji speaks english. I dont recommend the little fast buses between places, i never considered them very safe, but that may have changed. I generally used Pacific but have travelled on the others depending which came first.

3

thank u very much, I will be there for 2/3 days, do u think taking express bus is worth for two days? Do I need to buy express bus ticket for every day ride? Does Express bus take disposable E-Ticekt? Express bus service leaves at designated places and specific time, thats an issue, my accommodation can be a long way from the bus stops.

I also found that there are two main roads in Fiji- Queens Road and Kings Road. There are also roads in between around the Fiji- Viti Lavu, how do u travel these roads and places which are not along the way of Queens or Kings Road. Are most of the tourists attractions along these Two Main Roads?

4

Express bus is worth it, it just means its a bigger bus and doesn't make as many stops. Most of the things to see are on the main road, Queens road, has sigatoka, Pacific Harbour, Kings Road goes around the top of the island, so Rakiraki and Lautoka, what sort of things are you looking to see. Not sure if you can switch from one bus to a later bus, eg in Sigatoka,

5

Don't stress. You are a "stupid tourist" they will take pity on you. Besides, the busses are very cheap.
Cheers,
Peter

6

Don't stress. You are a "stupid tourist" they will take pity on you. Besides, the busses are very cheap.
Cheers,
Peter

Every one is stupid when they are in a new country, u r no different!! U dont seem to have a Phd in tourism or travelling. Local Transport for country like FIJI is difficult to understand for a newcomer. Its not as easy as that of developed countries. I guess, u have never taken a ride in South Asian public transport...

7

The driver will speak some English. Most of the local town centered buses will fan out from their central markets. You tap your card when getting on the bus.....buy at a vodaphone shop.. I think the big express buses that go around the island take cash.

8