Since living in Rarotonga we’ve quickly realised that one of the first questions asked by visitors to the island is about how to get around. What are the best transport options for getting around Rarotonga?
It is a fair question!
But choosing transport for getting around Rarotonga is easy.
Here are the top 10 modes of transport and the best way to get around Rarotonga.
- Bus
- Transfer
- Car
- Scooter
- Motorbike
- Bicycle
- E-Bike
- Taxi
- Walk
- Guided Tour
Getting Around Rarotonga
The beautiful island of Rarotonga isn’t huge at all. In fact, the entire island is encircled by a single main road – Ara Tapu – that connects the districts and villages of the island with a 32km sealed loop road.
You can take the older inland road, which winds through fields of taro, pawpaw, bananas and local farmlands. But the Ara Tapu is the main road right around Rarotonga.
So, it essentially has a single main ring-road right around the entire island.
There are several options for how to get around Rarotonga. But that doesn’t mean it is obvious for how to plan transport.
The following are options to simplify your holiday planning for how to get around Rarotonga.
Bus – How to Get Around Rarotonga
Taking the bus in Rarotonga is a fun, easy and affordable way to explore this tropical paradise! There’s only one road and two buses that circle the island; one in each direction. So, taking the bus is an easy way to get around Rarotonga with public transport.
It is also a relaxing way to get a glimpse of island life around the entire of Rarotonga…
You can take the bus from point A to point B, or you can just jump on and take a ride right around the entire island. Plus, coming from people that normally get around by car or motorbike, we can confirm that you get a great view from being that little bit higher up on the road!
The buses will stop anywhere along the main road. Tickets can be bought on board when you hop on. All you have to do is smile and wave them down.
Car – How To Get Around Rarotonga
Rental cars are reasonably priced and driving in Rarotonga is much like at home in New Zealand and Australia. Albeit with a few more chickens and coconuts to look out for!
There are lots of options for car hire in Rarotonga from a small car with basic insurance to a Jeep or convertible to cruise the island in style.
Small cars start from $40 NZD per day to hire to get around Rarotonga.
Transfer – How To Get Around Rarotonga
Visitors can also organise an airport pick up and drop off either directly or via your hotel prior to arriving in the Cook Islands.
It costs $25 NZD per person (adult) for an airport transfer.
You can book either an airport pick-up on arrival or a pick-up and drop-off for a discount rate for both ways.
Taxi – How To Get Around Rarotonga
Using a taxi service is a relatively new but efficient option for transport to get around Rarotonga.
The Cook Islands Taxi Association (CITA) consists of privately-owned taxi operators who have partnered together with the aim of improving the standard and delivery of taxi services on the island. The taxi association strives for excellence and will always do so with a Cook Islands smile and hospitality.
Look for the bright green cars and vans.
Rates are about $3 NZD per kilometre. So from Muri to the airport will cost around $40 NZD. There is also the option of fixed-price airport transfers of $25 – $35 NZD per person to destinations around the island.
Scooter
Rental scooters are a great way of getting around Rarotonga.
If you have a motorcycle class on your overseas license, you do not need to take a test to acquire a Cook Islands Licence. You just need to pay $20 NZD at the police station, where you will be issued your visitor license.
Then you can hire a scooter for a unique way to get around Rarotonga. It costs around $25 per day to hire a scooter.
Motorcycle
These are another two-wheeled option to get around the island.
It is slightly more expensive to hire a motorbike than a scooter. But if you have an overseas motorcycle class of license you do not need to take a bike license test to hire a motorbike in the Cook Islands.
A motorbike costs from $35 per day to hire in Rarotonga.
Bicycle
Cycling around the island is easy as the main road on Rarotonga is entirely flat.
Many hotels have bicycles available to borrow on a first come first served basis. But if you would like a guaranteed bicycle – or electric bike – we suggest hiring one.
See Polynesian Rentals or Ride Rarotonga to hire a bicycle or an e-Bike to get around. Though do take heed that there isn’t a spacious cycle lane of any kind or really much shoulder of the road at all. Take care cycling and watch out for children if you choose to cycle.
E-Bike – Getting Around Rarotonga
Rarotonga offers several options for e-bike rentals on the island. Rates for daily e-bike hire typically range from $35-45 NZD per day.
Several companies, including Tik-e Tours, Ride Rarotonga, and Polynesian Rental Cars, offer e-bike rentals. As well as some accommodations that may also include e-bikes for free for their guests.
Walk
The last of the top options for how to get around Rarotonga is by good old walking feet. However, this is listed here as it isn’t quite as straightforward as it sounds.
The main Ara Tapu ring road that encircles the entire island doesn’t have a solid footpath or walking space for much of the way round.
Plus, the truth is that with the weather, wandering dogs or tourists that somehow got their scooter license though perhaps shouldn’t have, it isn’t the safest space to be walking along the roadside.
But there are pockets around the island that are leave walking as the best option for transport.
In town – in Avarua – it is great to get the bus into the markets and wander right along the main stretch of the township. Or within the Muri and Ngatangiia District on the eastern side of Rarotonga there are lots of accommodation options within walking distance of the night markets and the beach there.
Guided Tour
There is also the option for a guided tour to get around Rarotonga.
Companies like Ariimoana, Raro Tours, Cook Islands Tours, and Storytellers Eco Cycle Tours offer a variety of transportation options and guided private and group tours.
Read More About Travel to Rarotonga
- All About The Rarotonga Bus.
- Renting A Car In Rarotonga.
- How To Buy A Car In Rarotonga.
- Finding & Renting A House In Rarotonga.
- Rarotonga Reef Explorer Tour With Ariimoana.
- Is Dengue Fever A Worry For Travel To Rarotonga?
Travel Planning for Cook Islands & Beyond
These are the companies we use while traveling as a family and that we would recommend to anyone planning and booking travel.
- Booking.com – The best all-around accommodation booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation and it’s easy to filter and sort into price and availability with all the extras you are looking for personally.
- Skyscanner– This is by far our favourite flight search engine. They are able to search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites often miss. We book all our flights through Skyscanner.
- GetYourGuide– Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions offered all around the world. Everything from walking tours, to street-food tours, cooking classes, desert safari’s and more!
- SafetyWing – A global travel insurance that covers people from all over the world while outside their home country. You can buy it short or longterm; and even if you are out of the country.
- World Nomads – Travel insurance tailored for longterm travel and nomads including those who have already left home. Make sure you have travel insurance before traveling to the Cook Islands!
Hi! I’m Sarah. I am the self-confessed dreamer, travel-schemer and the main editor behind this blog. I love to write, and it is a dream come true to share so many experiences together and inspire others in our stories.