Wallis & Futuna Transport Guide: 8 Best Ways to Get Around

Let's start with how you get to Wallis and Futuna. Most travellers get here by international flight.

Wallis and Futuna's international airport is Hihifo Airport (WLS), which is located about 10 minutes from the administrative capital, Mata'Utu, on the western coast of Wallis.

The only international flights come from New Caledonia and Fiji, which both make for fabulous tropical stopovers.

International flights depart from Noumea (New Caledonia) and Nadi (Fiji), taking around 1-3 hours. Find out about airlines travelling to Wallis and Futuna in our guide, Which Airlines Fly Directly to Wallis & Futuna? LINK#T027

Note that before arrival, you will need to provide evidence of your accommodation booking. Find out more about the paperwork you'll need to prepare in our guide, What Documents Do I Need to Travel to Wallis & Futuna?

With no ferry services connecting the islands, flights are your only option for travelling between Wallis and Futuna. The journey takes about one hour to cover the approximately 250 km (155 mi) distance.

You'll be flying on a small aircraft, which comes with its own unique quirks. Think limited baggage allowance, a clear view into the cockpit from your seat, and an intimate flying experience that feels more like a scenic tour than a commercial flight.

For complete details on schedules, booking and what to expect, check out our Domestic Flights in Wallis & Futuna: Your Guide to Interisland Flights.

A simple way to get between Hihifo Airport and your accommodation, or between Pointe Vele Airport and your accommodation on Futuna, is to book a transfer with your accommodation provider.

While some accommodations offer complimentary airport transfers, they might not always be included in your rate, so be sure to ask.

Needless to say, airport transfers should be arranged with your chosen accommodation prior to arrival.

Compare all of your options for getting to and from the airport in our 10 Best Airport Transfers in Wallis LINK#T030.

With no public transport available, car rental is the most reliable way to get around Wallis and Futuna. It also happens to be a convenient way to travel around the islands at your own pace.

There is a decent selection of car rental companies on both Wallis and Futuna. Be sure to do your research using the 10 Best Car Rentals in Wallis and Futuna LINK#T007.

Better yet, most car rentals can drop off your vehicle at the airport (or provide transfers), making transportation a non-issue as soon as you land.

We also recommend that you become familiar with the local road rules, which we outline in How to Drive in Wallis and Futuna + 10 Road Rules You Need to Know.

For those wishing to spend the day on an uninhabited island, taxi boats/water taxis are the key!

On Wallis, water taxis depart from Vailala in the north, Liku near Mata'Utu on the east coast, Gahi Bay on the southeast coast and Halalo on the south coast. Considering it only takes around 10-20 minutes to travel to most motu (islets) around the lagoon, prices are pretty reasonable even for a private water taxi.

On Futuna, water taxis can be found in Vele (near the airport) for a quick ride to Alofi Island, or from Leava Bay, the island's main hub.

Check out our complete guide to catching a water taxi in How to Catch a Water Taxi in Wallis & Futuna + 5 Best Taxi Boats.

For a quick visit to Wallis, the island is on the itinerary of a few South Pacific cruises, especially expedition cruises.

Cruise passengers typically enter Wallis from Mata'Utu Wharf. From there, passengers spend the day exploring Mata'Utu or travelling around the island on island tours, like those listed in the 5 Best Shore Excursions in Wallis LINK#TTD129.

Find out which cruises visit Wallis in the 10 Best Cruises that Go to Wallis LINK#T013.

Outside of the cyclone season (November to April) LINK#TT050, Mata'Utu and Leava are the official ports of entry for Wallis and Futuna. You must check into both ports of entry, even if you have visited one of the islands already.

For the rare few who arrive at Wallis and Futuna by private yacht, you will need to go through the clearance process with Customs and the Gendarmerie.

Find out more about visiting Wallis and Futuna via yacht and the protocols involved in our Sailing Guide to Wallis and Futuna: Tips for Yachting in Wallis and Futuna.

Hitchhiking is legal in Wallis and Futuna. With no public transport available, hitchhiking is one of the few options to get around the islands. It is also the least reliable form of transport. Nevertheless, it's quite an adventure if you can make it work!

Locals are typically happy to stop if they see someone walking out of town on the roadside, making this a viable option for getting around.

Learn more about hitchhiking in the islands, as well as safety tips, in A Traveller's Guide to Hitchhiking in Wallis & Futuna.