| Lonely Planet™ · Thorn Tree Forum · 2020 | |
Tongan HelpCountry forums / Pacific Islands & Papua New Guinea | ||
Hi everyone I am having real trouble trying to get any answers on transport in Tonga. I have e-mailed both airlines to try and find out how much a flight is to Ha'apai but nobody has replied. Any ideas? If this is too expensive, We will probably just pop over to 'Eau but can't find any prices for the ferry Can anyone help at all??? | ||
I believe it is a travel agency that books it. Try emailing Ngana, she is a travel agent in Vavau that booked my flight. fungakelana@gmail.com | 1 | |
One airline was solely booked by a local tourist wholesaler, I think it was Teta Tours, but not sure. If they do the bookings, you have a good chance of getting on the flight. Whatever it's name, they had an agent in Vavau as well. He made sure I got on the return flight. some whohad booked via other places didn't get on, as it was overbooked. Air travel in Tonga changes a lot, even at the last minute. Carriers change, and flights on each day often leave several hours later, and sometimes even earlier than scheduled! . I think it was about US$125 each way to Vavau from TBU, and maybe US$100 each way to Ha'apai, which is on the way to Vavau. So, a trip stopping in Ha'apai and continuing on to Vavau saves one a little than poin to points, but there was a small charge for the stopover. Again, these prices are not definite in my memory, but I don't think I would have paid US$300 for the RT to Vavau, knowing my usual budget, so it was probably less than that. But airfares have surely risen in the last couple of years due to rising fuel prices. You can try contacting a hotel like Paradise International on Vavau, by e-mail (I don't have it, but it shouldn't be hard to find). If you let them know you may be interested in staying there, they will help steer you in the direction of the right tour company that handles the flights, and even give you the latest info on flights, carriers, etc. They are one of the better-run places in Tonga. | 2 | |
I was in Tonga a few months ago, and I never bothered to try to get to the other islands. (I was only there for a week and flights are VERY unreliable). I believe the flights around the islands are quite expensive, but I would make sure you have plenty of time. As cancelled and delayed flights are VERY VERY common. A friend of mine stayed in Ha'apai at the beginning of the year and ended up waiting 15 hours in the airport for their flight back to Tongatapu. It's very much the Tongan way, I would be surprised if you manage to get an email back about anything. Your best bet is to call, that's the only way I could arrange things before I went on my trip. All the best though, the other islands are supposed to be great. | 3 | |
I am flying out in a months time to Tongapatu on Pacific Blue from Sydney and then jumping on a Chatham Airlines flight up to Vava'u. Despite all the warnings on communication response, I have found Chatham to be very good. According to their website, they have a regular flights up to Haapai. Their website is www.chathamspacific.com and I booked our flights by sending an email to sales@chathamspacific.com. I got acknowledgement and confirmation of booking within 4 hours (which is better response than you would get from most major airlines!) Whether the actual flight takes place without too many delays is another story and of course only time will tell. | 4 | |
If Chatham's Air is still using their "Combi" plane, ask the pilot before you get on if you can sit in the jumpseat in the cockpit! I did it in the Chatahm's in NZ, and a year later it turned out the same plane was being used in Tonga. Great view from there! | 5 | |
PS--just was checking Lucky's cottages website on Vavau. He has the following links to the two local airlines: Chathams Pacific Airlines Tonga Good luck! | 6 | |