Arriving to Samoa

Hi!

My husband and I have just booked a plane ticket to Samoa. We are arriving at Faleolo Airport in the evening of Tuesday 18 November, but want to go first to Savai'i. We do not want to go to Apia for just one night, and think Aggie Grey might be a bit too expensive for only one night (we arrive at 7.35pm and plan to leave early in the morning with the ferry next day). Is there an alternative, say, walking distance (as Aggie Grey seems to be) from the airport and Muliafanua Wharf? We are not the backpackers type, but we do not mind it for one night.

Our plan is to rent a car for the 12 days we are going to be in Samoa. My questions are:
Which company do you recommend?
What is the average price per day/week? we want to rent it for 9-10 days.
Is it worth it renting it in Upolu and take the car to the ferry? I have read it needs to be sprayed before crossing to the other island, but I would think renting companies have it sorted when they give you the car at the wharf?? How much does the spraying cost?
Can we rent it in Salelologa Wharf on Savai'i, but drop it off in Apia? I guess surcharge applys.
Are petrol stations a problem?
Do we really need a 4WD? I know it is the starting of the wet season.

Thanks for any help. I am sure I will be posting some more questions next week.

Pepita

Edited by: Andreas_at_LP

If I may be as bold as to suggest that it really may be much easier to do Apia/Upolu island first... It's very easy to get into town from the airport (lots of taxis, a shuttle service and some of the higher end hotels have shuttles too). Most visitors do this and options for nearby airport accommodation are fairly limited and I don't know how well you will be able to intially put together your trip from, let's say, Aggie Grey's Beach Resort. I am assuming you'll want a car straight away as well.

Once in Apia, you can get yourself organized and orientated. Once you awake from your refreshing sleep in Apia, you can do many things like get organized, orientated and do shopping for all your needs for your holiday. One thing I could suggest is when you are 'downtown', go to the Samoa Visitor's Centre on Beach Rd. They are extremely helpful in accomodation recommendations, tours and giving you lots of hints and advice.
There are also heaps of accommodation in downtown (or nearby) Apia... It's very compact.
Google for the Samoa Visitors website... Lots and lots of hotels are listed.

You can do your car rental (I have never rented a car myself, but I have been told by dozens of other car renters that Funway Travel had given them satisfaction... There are heaps of others) from town much easier as well.

Edited by: islandboi321

You will probably need a Samoan driving licence, available upon presenting your foreign driving licence and a small fee at the Ministry of Transport, just opposite the flea market in Apia. This may be another reason for heading into Apia first, unless the car rentla company is able to sort out the licence. I got a licence in case I decided to hire a car on Savai'i, as I'd heard getting one there was impossible, but since I didn't end up renting anything I'm not 100% sure.

Hi!

Thanks for the advice. I have contacted 12 car rental companies and got 7 replies back. They all offer more or less the same: delivery or pick up at Muliafanua Wharf (60 Tala) or to the Airport (80 Tala). They can sort the Samoan driving license on the spot, no need to go to Apia for 12Tala each license.
We finally decided to rent with Bule Pacific as it was the cheapest (89 Tala per day; we rent the car for 9 days and pay for 8).
I sent an e-mail to the Samoa Shipping Corporation to book for the ferry, but still did not get any response.
Islandboi: I don't know why I get so stubborn when I decide which route to take (first Savai'i and then Upolu, leaving Apia for the last day). But I will think of the possibility of doing it the other way round.

Question:
I was about to book a room at the Airport Lodge (154tala for a room with fan) and 30 tala for the airport transfer: is this a lot? can we get a taxi at the airport for less? Is the Airport Lodge clean enough?. Not looking for luxury on our first night, but I have read some bad reviews of it.

Thanks again,

Pepita