Lonely Planet™ · Thorn Tree Forum · 2020

Car rental suggestions

Country forums / Pacific Islands & Papua New Guinea / Samoa

We are looking for recommendations on an economic car rental place in Upolu. We are interested in renting a jeep and likely would not take it on the boat to Savaii. Have rented a car in Samoa before but looking for cheaper options!


We always just hire a taxi for the day if we want to go anywhere on Upolu but the last time we were in Samoa our son rang every rental place in Apia ( about 30) and their prices were all very similar.
Going back for our 4th visit to Samoa next month.

1

You must be getting excited about your trip. I'm excited and we still have months to go. This will be our 3rd trip back and we will be staying with my husband's family for a month.

We know we want a car for sure for at least a few days so that we can travel around Upolu and see some of the sights we have missed on former trips. Are there any rental companies that any of you would recommend and why?

2

All rentals companies have virtually the same rates so there is not much use to spend time on asking around. You can take your rental car to Savaii. Roads are much better there than on Upolu now so there is no more reason to prohibit that (and no company does anymore). Funway Rentals usually have quite new cars, so you might want to prefer them because of that. Other companies often rent out older vehicles with more 65,000 m (100,000 km) mileage (same rates though).

3

No problem Make sure you got an International drivers licence. Usualy valid for 1 year. It save you time and money in Samoa. You have to get a licence in Apia at some cost before you can drive your rental car.

4

An International Drivers Licence is not required in Samoa at all. Your national licence will do.

However, you will have to have your licence (International and/or National - all the same) endorsed at the office of the Ministry of Works, Transport and Infrastructure in Sogi, opposite to the Women and Youth Hall beside the Flea Market. They give you a piece of paper that validates your national or international licence for the use in Samoa. The fee is 12 Tala.

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