What You Need to Hire a Car in Wallis & Futuna

You can easily hire vehicles from both islands of Wallis and Futuna, with Wallis having the most options.

Car Hire on Wallis

There is a generous offering of vehicle rental companies on Wallis, giving you plenty to choose from. When hiring a vehicle, you will usually go through the vehicle inspection process, sign the rental agreement, and be asked to either have your credit card pre-authorised or cash available to pay the security deposit (which can be up to 300,000 XPF with some companies, so be prepared).

Car rental companies typically have a set daily rate for rentals, but a percentage discount when renting for seven is common. Basic insurance is rarely included in the daily rate, with only a couple of rental companies have insurance excess and the option to reduce the excess available for an additional fee.

Picking up vehicles at the airport either incurs a fee or is included in the cost, while baby seats (if available) are typically available for a flat fee. There is typically no extra cost for additional drivers. Additionally, cars are expected to be returned clean, or else fees may apply.

In terms of driving on Wallis, most roads that visitors use are sealed and easy to drive on, but there are some access roads to attractions, especially Lake Lalolalo, where it is better to have a high-clearance vehicle like an SUV. See typical distances travelled in Wallis & Futuna Travel Times & Distances: How Long Does it Take to Travel Wallis & Futuna?

Car Hire on Futuna

There are around three to five car hire companies on Futuna, ranging from well-established operators to smaller family-run businesses. Most operate as local businesses rather than international chains, giving you a more personal service but requiring advance booking where possible due to limited fleet sizes.

As with Wallis, you will go through the usual vehicle inspection process and rental agreement. A crucial point for Futuna, however, is that most rental vehicles are not insured. This means you could be liable for full repair costs in case of damage.

Vehicle selection matters on Futuna due to varying road conditions. Small city cars are restricted by the car rental companies to sealed roads only, while larger vehicles can handle more challenging terrain. With Futuna having more dramatic potholes than Wallis, a high-clearance vehicle is a good idea regardless.

Be prepared for potential fuel shortages; petrol stations can run out of fuel or close unexpectedly, which can create challenges for tourists needing to return vehicles with full tanks. Additionally, cars are expected to be returned clean, with cleaning fees ranging from 4,500-12,500 XPF depending on the vehicle's condition. Airport delivery is either free or comes with a fee, depending on the company.

For a full comparison of all of the car rental companies on both islands, see the 5 Best Car Rentals on Wallis and Futuna.

The range of vehicle types available in Wallis and Futuna is quite practical, focusing on vehicles suited to the territory's mixed road conditions. The rental fleet consists primarily of SUVs and pickup trucks, with a limited selection of smaller city cars.

Most operators offer Japanese and European models that are well-suited to island conditions. Vehicle age and condition vary between operators, with some maintaining newer fleets while others offer reliable older vehicles that have proven their durability in the Pacific climate.

Perhaps the most important point is that most rental cars in Wallis and Futuna have manual transmission. Some rental companies have automatic vehicles available, for example, LS Location, but note that they have a slightly higher rental fee.

Vehicles available to hire in Wallis and Futuna include:

• SUVs (most popular): Renault Duster, Suzuki Jimny, Toyota Rush - ideal for mixed road conditions
• Pickup trucks: Isuzu D-Max models - best for accessing remote areas and handling challenging terrain
• Small city cars: Citroën C3, Chevrolet Spark - budget-friendly but restricted to sealed roads only

Do You Need a 4×4 in Wallis and Futuna?

The short answer? It depends on where you're going.

Wallis and Futuna still has a significant network of unpaved roads, particularly on access routes to natural attractions. Road quality varies considerably. While main routes around Wallis and Futuna are generally well-maintained sealed roads, secondary roads and attraction access points often require higher clearance.

On Wallis, a 4x4 is worth considering for exploring the west coast road, which is unsealed with large potholes. On Futuna, a 4x4 is necessary if you wish to explore any of the inland roads.

Unless you're planning to stay exclusively in main towns and on sealed roads, opt for at least a small SUV like the Suzuki Jimny or Renault Duster. The extra cost (around 8,000 XPF vs 4,900 XPF for city cars) gives you access to the territory's most spectacular natural attractions and cultural sites that would otherwise be unreachable.

Car rentals are affordable enough, while not exactly being cheap. Each rental vehicle has a day rate, while other associated costs may include baby seats and credit card fees. Additional mandatory costs include fuel, as well as fees if you don’t return the vehicle with a full fuel tank or return the vehicle dirty, or make any other breaches of the rental agreement.

Day Rates for Car Rentals in Wallis and Futuna

Note that some companies reduce their day rates when hiring for 7+ days.

• Budget city car/day – 4,000-6,000 XPF
• Compact SUV/day – 6,000-9,000 XPF
• Premium SUVs and pickup trucks/day – 12,000-15,000 XPF

Additional Costs for Renting a Car in Wallis and Futuna

• Petrol/litre – 205-225 XPF
• Hotel delivery– 500-1,000 XPF
• Airport delivery – 0-2,000 XPF
• Baby seat/flat fee – 0-2,000 XPF
• Cleaning fee - 4,500-12,5000 XPF (if returned with excessive dirt)
• Fuel service fee – 1,000 XPF (if not returned with a full tank)
• Security deposit – Credit card pre-authorisation or 300,000 XPF (cash or cheque)
• Credit card fee – 3-5% of the payment total.

Learn more about the typical price of car rentals in The Cost of Renting a Car in Wallis & Futuna: Full Car Rental Cost Breakdown.

Your car rental only really gets started when you put your keys in the ignition and hit the road! However, Wallis and Futuna’s roads might have different rules than what you are used to. Certain rules, like driving on the right side of the road and who to give way to at uncontrolled intersections, might throw you off, so make sure you’re aware of the traffic laws.

Some important road rules to remember include:

• Drive on the right side of the road.
• The maximum speed limit is 50 kph (30 mph) in town areas and 70 kph (45 mph) outside of these areas - signs usually indicate the speed limit in a given area.
• The white sign with a single black line through it shows that the speed limit is the "national speed limit", which is 70 kph (45 mph).
• It is legal and mandatory to wear a seatbelt in Wallis and Futuna for the driver and all passengers.
• Drunk driving is prohibited; the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit is 0.05% for general drivers, which is quite low compared to other countries.
• Using a mobile phone while driving without a hands-free device is illegal.
• At roundabouts, give way to vehicles that have already engaged with the roundabout.
• Pedestrians at crossings have priority even if they step onto the road late. Be patient and prepared to stop suddenly.
• Local driving culture expects clear signalling and appropriate use of headlights, including in low light or rain.
• Sounding your horn is allowed only to give a necessary warning.
• Overtaking is done on the left. Before overtaking, drivers must clearly indicate their intention using lights or hand signals, and if necessary, sound the horn to warn the vehicle ahead. Drivers are also required to make sure the manoeuvre can be completed safely without endangering other road users.
• Signs with a red car next to a black car show not to overtake.

To learn more about driving on the islands, see How to Drive in American Samoa + 15 Road Rules You Need to Know.