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Country Guide > Australia and South Pacific > Samoa | |
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Travel - International Air Samoa’s national airline is Polynesian Airlines (PH) (website: www.polynesianairlines.co.nz). Others operating to the islands are Air New Zealand, Air Pacific and Samoa Air. International airports Apia (APW) (Faleolo) is 34km (21 miles) from the capital (travel time – 40 minutes). Airport facilities include banks/bureaux de change, post office, duty free shop and car hire (national firms). Buses and taxis operate to the city. Air passes The Polypass (offered by Polynesian Airlines) allows the holder to fly between the Southern Pacific destinations of American Samoa, Fiji, Niue, Samoa, Tahiti and Tonga; Honolulu (Hawaii) and Los Angeles (LA can be replaced with San Francisco, Seattle, Salt Lake City, Oakland, Santa Ana and Las Vegas) in the USA; Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney in Australia; and Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington in New Zealand. The pass is valid for one year. Once a reservation has been made and travel begun, all travel must be completed within a maximum of 45 days. Tickets will be issued against the Polypass by any Polynesian Airlines office (a valid passport is also required). For further information, contact Polynesian Airlines (website: www.polynesianairlines.com). The Visit the South Pacific Pass is valid for many airlines operating in the South Pacific, including most of the larger ones, such as Air Caledonie, Air Marshall Islands, Air Nauru, Air Niugingi, Air Pacific, Air Vanuatu, Polynesian Airlines, Qantas, Royal Tongan Airlines and Solomon Airlines. Offering reductions of up to 40 per cent on normal airfares, this sector-based pass allows for flexible island-hopping between the destinations of the Cook Islands, Fiji, Nauru, New Caledonia, Samoa, Tahiti, Tonga, Vanuatu and the more remote Melanesian and Micronesian islands, together with major cities in Australia (Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney) and New Zealand (Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington). It is only available for people resident outside of the South Pacific. The journey must be started outside the South Pacific and only one stopover in Australia is allowed. A minimum of two sectors must be bought before departure (extra sectors can be purchased en route). There is a maximum of one pass per person, and passes must be used within six months of the first day of travel. Children under 12 years of age pay 75 per cent of the adult fare. For details and conditions, contact the South Pacific Tourist Organisation (see Contact Addresses section). Departure tax Tala40 for adults. Transit passengers and children under 12 years of age are exempt. Sea The international port is Apia, on Upolu. It is served by both cargo and passenger ships from Australia, Europe, Japan, New Zealand and the USA. There is also a weekly ferry service from Pago Pago on American Samoa. |