Is it Safe to Hitchhike in Wallis and Futuna?

Hitchhiking is a fun and popular way to travel a country. Getting around somewhere for free and meeting interesting locals? Why not?!

Wallis and Futuna LINK#TT064 is one of the rare places in the world where you don't hear horror stories of hitchhiking. Although Wallis and Futuna is one of the safest places to hitchhike, there is still a small but potentially serious risk.

We go over the hitchhiking culture in Wallis and Futuna, as well as a few pros, cons and safety tips in this complete guide to hitchhiking in Wallis and Futuna!fe

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Do People Hitchhike in American Samoa?

Hitchhiking is extremely common in Wallis and Futuna, and it's often used as the primary means of transport, considering there is no public transport service and no taxis. There is also no public sea-crossing service between Wallis and Futuna. Passing motorists will probably offer you a lift when they see you on the roadside, easiest on Wallis.

Meanwhile, there is only a population of 3,000 on Futuna so rides are less frequent. With that, you could be waiting a while before someone picks you up.

While locals will certainly understand the universal sign of sticking your thumb out on the side of the road, and many are more than happy to pick up hitchhikers, the main problem with hitchhiking in Wallis and Futuna is that rides won't generally be very long, perhaps from one village to the next or straight to Mata'utu. As a result, it could take you a good while to travel longer distances.

Hitchhiking is usually not super reliable for sightseeing, especially if you're heading to areas like Lake Lalolalo, which is a bit out of the way for the average motorist.

Passenger Hitchhiker American Samoa
Ā© Wallis&FutunaPocketGuide.com

The Pros and Cons of Hitchhiking in Wallis and Futuna

Like all ways of getting around, there are pros and cons of hitchhiking in Wallis and Futuna.

The Pros of Hitchhiking

  • It's free (or you can offer to contribute a small amount for petrol, usually XPF 300-600 for a one-way is fair, although offers of payment will normally be refused).
  • It might be your only option if you don't have a rental car.
  • You will likely meet some interesting people.
  • It's more eco-friendly than using a vehicle all to yourself.
  • It's an adventure!

The Cons of Hitchhiking

  • It can time-consuming trying to get a lift, especially in less populated places.
  • You might have to take several lifts to get to your destination, therefore taking more time.
  • There is an element of risk.
  • Someone else is in charge ā€“ so you can't spontaneously stop for photos, for example.
  • You have far less flexibility than having your own rental car.
  • You might find it more challenging to get to tourist sights, like Lake Lalolalo or Kolonui Fort.
Hitchhike American Samoa
Ā© Wallis&FutunaPocketGuide.com

Hitchhiking Safety in Wallis and Futuna

There's no sugar-coating it: when you're hitchhiking anywhere in the world, you're taking a risk, as you don't know who you could end up in a vehicle with. Although there have been no public cases of hitchhikers having negative experiences in Wallis and Futuna, if you are going to do it, be sure to be savvy by following the following tipsā€¦

7 Safety Tips for Hitchhiking in Wallis and Futuna

  • Never hitchhike alone.
  • Don't hitchhike at night.
  • Engage in conversation before getting in the car, allowing time for your instinct to determine whether you should wait for the next car or not.
  • Don't accept a lift if you get bad vibes from the driver.
  • If you start to feel uncomfortable, come up with an excuse to be dropped off immediately. Saying that you're going to be sick is a good one.
  • Take a picture of the vehicle registration before you get in (ask first and only get in if they accept) and message it to a trusted contact. Even if you have no network to send the picture, it's more to show the driver how cautious you're being.
  • Have a "Plan B" ā€“ if you are unsuccessful at hitchhiking, have an alternative transport; check out Wallis and Futuna Transport Guide: 10 Best Ways to Get Around Wallis and Futuna for your options.

More About Getting Around Wallis and Futuna

That's all we have to say about hitchhiking in Wallis and Futuna. If you're wondering about some more reliable but cheap ways of getting around, check out our other transport guides:

Finally, compare all your travel options in our Wallis and Futuna Transport Guide: 10 Best Ways to Get Around Wallis and Futuna.