Air Tahiti is the main airline carrier of French Polynesia. Its network covers 47 islands over a surface area as wide as Europe.
The Fleet mainly consists of ATR, but also of Twin Otters and Beechcrafts.
Air Tahiti Flights are included in all our itineraries.
New Polynesian airline, Air Moana is two ATR72-600 aircraft and offers regular and direct flights from Tahiti – Faa’a to 5 islands: Bora Bora, Raiatea, Rangiroa, Nuku Hiva and Hiva Oa.
“Air Moana, the link by air and across the seas!”
Air Tahiti Nui was founded in 1996. The fleet, entirely renewed in 2019, is composed of Boeing 787-9s, the “Tahitian Dreamliners”.
Air Tahiti Nui provides service to Tahiti from Paris, Los Angeles, Auckland & Tokyo. With partnerships and code share agreements, Air Tahiti Nui serves 39 top destinations, including Sydney, Beijing & New York.
International Flights can be purchased and added to your itinerary upon request.
The world’s third busiest airport, LAX offers daily connections to every major North American city. Air Tahiti Nui operates from the Tom Bradley International Terminal, one of eight terminals at LAX. For transfers to other terminals either walk or look for the “Airline Connections A Shuttle” found at the lower level (Arrival Level) in front of the terminal.
Check-In Counter : Tom Bradley International Terminal Positions: A24 – 30 (Due to Airport Requirements this location may be subject to occasional change)
Check-In Counter Hours of Operation
> Opens: 3 hours prior to departure – *** Holiday seasons: 3 1/2 hours***
> Closes: One (1) Hour prior to departure
Recommended Connection Times
The following are the official connecting times for LAX:
Domestic to Int’l: 1 1/2 hours
Int’l to Int’l: 2 hours
Int’l to Domestic: 2 hours
Due to heightened security, Air Tahiti Nui recommends: 3 hours
NOTE: Most major airlines can check your luggage from your home city all the way to Tahiti. This will save you time connecting in Los Angeles. Low fare airlines such as Southwest do not transfer bags to other airlines. Check with your originating airline or Air Tahiti Nui Reservation regarding baggage transfer agreements.
Established in 1991, the popular company is part of the Polynesian landscape. Aremiti provides passenger, motor vehicle and freight services between the islands of Tahiti & Moorea.
Ever since, the company has always been committed to providing customers with impeccable quality service by investing in more comfortable, efficient and safer vessels.
Daily ferry service are currently provided by the Aremiti 2 (40-minute cruise) & Aremiti 6 (20-minute cruise).
a/ Citizens from the following country list do not need a visa for a leisure stay of 3 months or less, except those who will have paid activities during their stay, regardless of its duration :
European Union (E.U.) : Austria ; Belgium ; Cyprus ; Czech Republic ; Denmark ; Estonia ; Finland ; France ; Germany ; Greece ; Hungary ; Ireland ; Italy ; Latvia ; Lithuania ; Luxembourg ; Malta ; Netherlands ; Poland ; Portugal ; Romania ; Slovakia ; Slovenia ; Spain ; Sweden ; Switzerland ; United Kingdom.
Asia-Pacific : Australia ; Brunei ; Cook Islands ; Federated States of Micronesia ; Guam and American passport holders ; Japan ; Kiribati ; Malaysia ; Mariana Islands ; Marshall Islands ; Nauru ; New Zealand ; Niue ; Norfolk citizens and holders of Australian passports ; Singapore ; South Korea ; Taiwan (valid ID number must appear on passport holder) ; Tokelau Islands ; Tonga ; Tuvalu ; US Samoa Islands ; Vanuatu ; Western Samoa.
Chinese citizens from Honk Kong holding HKSAR passports and citizens from Macao holding RAEM passports.
North, Central & South America : Argentina ; Bahamas ; Barbados ; Bolivia ; Brazil ; Canada ; Chile ; Costa Rica ; El Salvador ; Guatemala ; Honduras ; Mexico ; Nicaragua ; Panama ; Paraguay ; United States ; Uruguay ; Venezuela.
Other Countries : Andorra ; Antigua & Barbuda ; Croatia ; Iceland ; Israel ; Liechtenstein ; Macedonia ; Mauritius Island ; Monaco ; Montenegro ; Norway ; Palau ; San Marino ; Serbia ; Seychelles ; St Kitts and Nevis.
b/ Citizens from other countries are kindly requested to contact the French Consulate of their living country to get specific information for entry into French Polynesia, as these requirements can differ from France.
c/ Foreigners exempted of a visa should call the Border Police of French Polynesia on +689 40 80 06 20. To visit their website, click here.
All travelers transiting the United states must hold a valid passport valid for six months from travel date and apply for an approved travel authorization prior to departure, at least 72 hours before the flight departure, on the following secure website: https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov.
The ESTA application is charged 14$ /person and is valid for two years from the date of authorization, or until the passport expires, whichever comes first.
The vaccination for yellow fever is required for all travelers over the age of 12 months arriving from high-risk countries of Africa or South America and for those travelers who have spent more than 12 hours in any airport of these high-risk countries. The traveler has the responsibility to ensure to be vaccinated for yellow fever at least 10 days before departure date. The vaccination certificate may be requested at boarding. For more information about the list of countries with Yellow Fever Risk, click here. No other vaccination is required to enter French Polynesia.
At time of booking, TAHITI EXPERIENCES strongly recommends that our clients have a Travel Protection Plan or Travel Insurance – which takes into account the epidemic risk associated with COVID-19 – when traveling.
Every traveler entering French Polynesia must declare and pay import duties applicable in French Polynesia, for all goods carried. Travelers over 18 years do qualify for tobacco, alcohol and other goods.
For any further information on this matter, please ask your Trusted Travel Designer.
One of our representatives will welcome you upon arrival at the international airport of Tahiti! Exit from the customs area once you have collected your luggage and move towards our welcoming white board :
After greeting, your Travel Kit-Xperience will be handed to you including all your travel documents such as an itinerary of stay with pick-up times & our Emergency Phone Number (24/7), inter-island flights e-tickets and/or ferry tickets, in paper version.
Our currency is the French Pacific Franc : XPF or CFP. The Euro exchanged rate is fixed : 1 € = 119.332 XPF
ATMs are available in the main hall of the airport and Exchange offices are open at every international arrival and departure. Some banks exchange your currency into local currency – subject to fees.
Visa, MasterCard & American Express are accepted in French Polynesia. Most ATMs accept all credit cards except the American Express (only available at some ATMs on the island of Tahiti).
The luggage storage is available at Tahiti-Faa’a airport 24/7. Prices vary according to size and rental period. Payment accepted by Visa or MasterCard only.
Alternatively, TAHITI EXPERIENCES recommends its Papeete – A la Carte* service when returning from the islands to Tahiti. You will be able to take advantage of a transfer and luggage service, in complete safety.
*This option is offered with every stay booked at TAHITI EXPERIENCES.
Seat Assignment Service do not exist on Air Tahiti flights. However, we would suggest picking left-hand side seats to enjoy the best views during your flight.
Carry-on luggage : Only one piece of luggage per passenger is allowed in cabin, with a maximum weight of 5 kg (11 lbs). Luggage dimensions should not exceed 55 x 35 x 25 cm (22x14x10 in). Carry-on luggage exceeding weight must be put as checked luggage. (luggage remains under passenger’s responsibility during the entire flight).
Checked-in luggage :
Due to failures reported by Samsung regarding its Galaxy Note 7 mobile phones and on the recommendation of the International Aviation Administration, the transport of this type of phone is strictly prohibited in carry-on luggage, checked luggage as well as cargo. In cases a passenger owns this type of phone, all necessary arrangements must be made to dispose the device (Air Tahiti does not provide daycare service). If the latter is unable to make its own arrangements, check-in or boarding will not be allowed. The owner will be rescheduled on a different flight (subject to availability and conditions corresponding to the fare paid ticket) until a solution is found. Furthermore, airline agents may request the opening of luggage to check their contents.
Inter-island Flights Pass important notice : Passes cannot be modified once tickets are issued neither are refundable, even partially after departure.
Rooms are ready and guaranteed on arrival between 2 PM & 3 PM and should be vacated between 10 AM & 11 AM on departure day. Specific check-in/check-out times will be notified by your Trusted Travel Designer or can be provided upon request.
All our prices are All Taxes Included. Accommodation municipal (or city) tax set between 0,50€ to 1,66€ / person / day, will be billed by each respective accommodation.
Very much appreciated, tipping is not mandatory and remains under your discretion. Who doesn’t like it, right?
Vini & Vodafone are the main Internet providers (Head offices located on the island of Tahiti). All accommodations and most Guest Houses provide Internet access (additional charge may apply). Very seldom, Cybercafés kiosks have wifi access.
In partnership with “Tahiti Wifi”, your Trusted Travel Designer will be pleased to offer a full-service solution to stay connected during the whole stay.
Tropical weather in Tahiti & her Islands with warm and humid days and clearly Summer days all year long ???? We suggest bringing light clothing, preferably cotton and your most colourful swimsuits! At night or during the dry season (July, August) temperatures can drop, a sweater or a lightweight jackets recommended.
French Polynesia is GMT-10. When it is 8 AM in Tahiti, it is :
Tahiti |
Los Angeles |
New York |
Rio de Janeiro |
Paris |
Auckland |
8 AM |
11 AM (+3) |
2 PM (+6) |
3 PM (+7) |
8 PM Springtime (+12) 7 PM Wintertime (+11) |
7 AM the following day (+23) |
French Polynesia area code is +689 plus 8 digits (+689 xx xx xx xx). For International phone call, dial 00 + area country code + phone number.
Mobile phone use GSM and the network covers the main islands. Prepaids cards are available at any post office (O.P.T), Vodafone or Vini shops. For any information such as roaming, please contact our local operators or click to www.vini.pf or www.vodafone.com.
Voltage is of 220 (60 Hertz). Power outlets are similar to France. If your electronic device requires a specific voltage, traveling with an adaptor is highly recommended.
Running water is potable in Papeete (Tahiti island) and Bora Bora. Nonetheless, TAHITI EXPERIENCES recommends tap water wherever and whenever.
During the warm season, temperature averages is between 27°C to 30°C. It drops between 25°C to 28°C during the cool season (July to August) and easily reach under 20°C at night.
TAHITI EXPERIENCES invites you to follow and respect the usual barrier gestures, recommended by the Ministry of Tourism and Health Department of French Polynesia :
Snorkeling kit
The hygiene is in the center of the priorities of all our partners, and although the procedure of cleaning and disinfection of all the equipment at your disposal was reinforced, we invite our travelers to add in your luggage, your own snorkeling kit (flippers, mask, tuba).
Anyone planning on visiting and souvenir/ gift shopping for a budget price – find some time shop around the different stands of the city’s Municipal Market of Papeete. If you are looking for any kinds of handcrafts and beautiful sculptures from across Tahiti & her Islands, find them all upstairs! For any purchase, do make sure they don’t require any special treatment such as biosecurity.
Most stores are open on weekdays from 8 AM to 5 PM, and from 8 AM to noon on Saturdays (especially in downtown Papeete). Shops are closed on Sundays (Most Tahitians attend Sunday Chruch).
Last Update : April 10, 2022