Wallis Transport Guide: 7 Ways to Get to (& Around) Wallis

Most travellers get to Wallis by international flight. The only international flights come from New Caledonia and Fiji, which both make for fabulous tropical stopovers if you're coming from further afield.

Wallis' main international airport is Hihifo Airport, which is located about 10 minutes from the administrative capital, Mata'Utu, on the western coast of Wallis.

Find out about airlines travelling to Wallis in our guide, as well as how to get a good deal in Which Airlines Fly Directly to Wallis? LINK#T027

Note that upon arrival, you will be asked questions concerning biosecurity. Learn more about the arrival formalities in our guide, Arriving in Wallis & Futuna: Airport Customs, Biosecurity & the Arrival Process LINK#TT003.

Hihifo Airport also has connecting domestic flights to Futuna LINK#D035. Find out more on the subject in Domestic Flights in Wallis & Futuna: Your Guide to Interisland Flights.

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

There is a decent selection of car rental companies on Wallis. 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 available.

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.

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

A simple way to get between Hihifo Airport and your accommodation 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.

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 is the official port of entry for Wallis, even if you're visiting Futuna first.

For the rare few who arrive on Wallis 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. With no public transport available, hitchhiking is one of the few options to get around the island. However, 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.