French Polynesia is a wide archipelago of 118 islands in the South Pacific Ocean. Known for its clear turquoise waters, pristine sandy beaches and abundant marine life, this French overseas territory is a popular destination for travellers seeking for tropical paradise. When planning a trip to French Polynesia, knowing how to get there, from which airport to the best season to book to avoid expensive fares, is the first thing you must know about how.
How to fly to French Polynesia?
The main international gateway to French Polynesia is Fa’a’ā International Airport (PPT) located 5 km from the centre of the capital city of Papeete, on the island of Tahiti. Taxis take you to the city centre of Papeete in 7-10 minutes and the “Navette Aéroport” bus operates between the airport and Papeete in 20 minutes. The Faaa Airport is well-connected to major cities in the Pacific, Northern America and Asia and is served by airlines such as Air Tahiti Nui, Air France, French Bee,, United Airlines and Air New Zealand.
How much does it cost to fly to French Polynesia?
Here are some average prices of flights to Papeete (PPT):
From Europe:
- Paris:1150 € to 1900 €
- London: £1,170to £1,560
The airlines operating flights to Tahiti from Paris and London are Air France, FrenchBee and Air Tahiti Nui. It takes about 22 hours to fly from Europe to Tahiti, including one stopover in the US.
From the USA:
- Los Angeles: 700 USD to 1,000 USD
- San Francisco: 630 USD to 750 USD
- Seattle: 900 USD to 1,200 USD
- New York: 930 USD to 1,520 USD (no direct flight)
The airlines operating flights from the US to Tahiti are Air Tahiti Nui and United Airlines. The flight from Los Angeles to Papeete takes about 8 hours.
From Australia & New Zealand:
- Sydney: 1,400 AUD to 2,000 AUD
- Auckland: 740 to 800 NZD
Air New Zealand and Air Tahiti Nui operate direct flights from New Zealand to Papeete, on the other hand, there is no direct flight from Australia to Papeete. Flying from both Australia and New Zealand to Tahiti takes around 5 hours.
From Japan:
- Tokyo: 260.000 JPY to 400.000 JPY/ 1,700 USD to 2,600 USD
Air Tahiti Nui operates direct flights from Japan to Papeete. The flight from Tokyo to Papeete takes around 10 hours.
Best Time to Visit French Polynesia
French Polynesia has a tropical climate, with warm temperatures and high humidity year-round. The best time to visit is the dry season, from May to October, which offers the most comfortable weather. During this time, the temperature ranges from 24-29°C (75-85°F) and there is less rainfall.
The peak tourist season is from June to August and as a result, prices are higher. In Tahiti and the Tuamotu Islands, the dry and sunny season goes from April until November. The rainy season, from November to March, corresponds to the Austral summer. The Marquesas archipelago has a warmer climate because its islands are much closer to the equator than the rest of Polynesia. The rainy season lasts from January to early March, so it is recommended to go between September and December.
The average water temperature in French Polynesia is between 26 and 28°C (78°F and 82°F) all year round (+1°C (33°F) in the Marquesas Islands).
Visa Requirements to enter French Polynesia
As French Polynesia is part of France, visitors from most countries, including the EU, United States, Canada, and Australia, do not require a visa for stays of up to 90 days in French Polynesia. However, it’s always a good idea to check with the French Embassy in your country before travelling to confirm the visa requirements.
Due to the technical stopover in the USA, ESTA application (American Electronic Travel Authorization System) is mandatory for European Union citizens in order to pass police checks. It costs US$14 per person. Beware to apply no later than 72 hours before departing, real-time approvals are no longer available.
Do you need more information to plan your trip to French Polynesia?
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