Tips for Using Metered and Non-Metered Taxis in Fiji
For an affordable and convenient way to get around, using “Tours & Transfer” companies or taking a metered taxi in Fiji is a great way to go! Yes, and you read that right. “Tours & Transfer” companies with “LH” license plates offer a similar experience to metered taxis. For this reason, we decided to couple these two transport options together in this guide, giving you tips on things you need to know about getting around Fiji!
Metered taxis in Fiji, identifiable by their “LT” license plates, can typically fit three passengers, as well as luggage for each passenger – four passengers is doable, but usually pretty tight. For larger tribes, vans are usually available through “Tours & Transfer” companies. Find out more about taking taxis in Fiji with our Guide to Taxis in Fiji.
Table of Contents
1. There Are Two Different Types of Taxis in Fiji
Fiji offers two main types of taxi services, each with distinct characteristics:
Metred Taxis (LT)
- License plates: “LT” for most of Fiji, blue plates starting with “ND” for Nadi or “LK” for Lautoka
- Distinctive features:
– Use a metre
– Often have a “Taxi” sign on top
– Generally cheaper than LH taxis
Hire Taxis (LH)
- License plates: “LH”
- Characteristics:
– Usually have “Tours & Transfers” or similar in their name
– Slightly more expensive than LT taxis
– Often called by hotels or resorts for guests
Learn more about the differences between The Guide to Taxis (LT) and Hire Taxis (LH) in Fiji.
© FijiPocketGuide.com2. Things Are a Little Different Still at Nadi Airport
For taking a taxi from Nadi International Airport, there are the following differences:
Metred Taxis (LT)
- Yellow taxis are the only taxis licensed to provide pick-ups from Nadi Airport.
- The flagfall rate is a few dollars more expensive than pick-ups from elsewhere in Nadi – see Taxi Prices in Fiji: The Costs You Need to Know to learn more.
Hire Taxis (LH)
- Are booked before arrival
- Offer a meet-and-greet service (i.e. will be waiting with a placard)
- Some companies may offer refreshments or a welcome gift.
Learn more about the typical cost of taxis as an airport transfer in How Much Does a Nadi Airport Taxi Cost?
© FijiPocketGuide.com3. “LT” Taxi Drivers Should Use a Meter in Town Areas
The law in Fiji requires that “LT” taxis use a meter that is visible at all times, which will determine your fare within a 16 km (10 mi) radius of town areas. For journeys outside of this radius, it is common to agree on a price. Take a look at some common taxi rates in Taxi Prices in Fiji: The Costs You Need to Know.
© FijiPocketGuide.com4. Taxis with “LH” License Plates Have Fixed Fares
Tour and transfer companies with “LH” license plates operate differently than your typical metered taxis. These special taxis offer fixed rates for journeys from point A to point B, which can be both a blessing and a potential pitfall for the unprepared traveller. Before hopping into one of these taxis, we strongly recommend asking about the fare upfront. This simple step can save you from any unexpected surprises when it’s time to pay.
Want to make sure you’re getting a fair deal? Check out our guide on How to Negotiate a Taxi Price in Fiji. It’s packed with tips on how to strike a balance that’s fair for both you and your driver. Plus, we’ve thrown in some money-saving tricks that’ll help stretch your Fijian dollars a little further.
© FijiPocketGuide.com5. Be Aware! There Are Registered and Non-Registered Options
Taxi drivers must be registered with the Fijian government and display their license, as in most countries. This ensures that they comply with current laws and abide by legal safety standards. Many unregistered local carriers, although cheaper, simply have a bench at the back of a truck to carry people around. It is also worth noting that most travel insurance will not cover you if you use a non-registered taxi driver. Find out more about what to expect with carriers in our guide to Minivans & Carrier Vans in Fiji.
© FijiPocketGuide.com6. You Can Hire Taxis and Drivers for a Whole Day
Another great option for traveling around Fiji is to hire a driver for the whole day or even the week. You’ll get your local guide and will only have to agree on one price. It’s the ultimate peace-of-mind option for sticking to a budget, helping you save a lot of money on your trip compared to getting a different taxi to each spot you plan to visit – see below. Find out more about hiring drivers in our Hiring a Driver in Fiji.
© FijiPocketGuide.com7. Private Drivers Are Actually Quite Cheap to Hire
Speaking of prices, you will quickly find out that hiring a driver for the day can save you plenty. First up, what a time-saver to not have to find a driver for each drive you have to take! Second, by hiring a driver for a day or a week, you will get a much lower price altogether than for each trip one by one. It’s an option well worth considering. Furthermore, we have found some private driver options that compete with car rental daily rates!
© FijiPocketGuide.com8. Taxis and Drivers Run on Fiji Time
Ah Fiji time… once you learn about it, you get used to it. Our tip: when deciding a time to get picked up by a driver, make it 30 minutes earlier so you’ll be on time for your activity. It is not uncommon to have drivers showing up 30 minutes to 1 hour late to pick up tourists for their day’s trip. That’s Fiji time for you! The exception to the rule is the run between your hotel and Nadi Airport; drivers tend to know how slow the traffic can get and are diligent in getting you to the airport well ahead of schedule.
© FijiPocketGuide.com9. You Can Take Taxis Even for Longer Distances
In Fiji, it is not uncommon to use taxis for longer trips like Nadi to Suva. This is a great option to add to your comparison, as well as taking a flight, bus, tour, or hiring a car! You can agree on a price before departure, avoiding any bad surprises on arrival. Keep that in mind when planning your Fiji itinerary.
© FijiPocketGuide.com10. If Your Driver Suggests an Accommodation, He is Probably on the Take
Many drivers work for resorts and accommodations on top of their driving jobs, so it is important to take their recommendations with a grain of salt. Do not expect a fully guided tour of the area with each of your drives; they do not know much aside from the few main tourist spots, but they are lovely to talk to if you want to learn more about the local culture and their everyday lives. As a side note, most drivers are Indo-Fijian, so you will get to learn more about the Indo-Fijian culture – a rarity when most tourist activities focus on native Fijian culture.
© FijiPocketGuide.com11. The Roads are a Bit Different in Fiji
In Fiji, speed limits are lower, drivers are not used to cyclists so may wave off to the side at the last minute, people literally walk and hang out on the road in villages especially in the evening, many roads around Fiji are not sealed, some intersections in cities are craaaaaaazy… That’s only a few differences between Fijian roads and other countries. So hang on; you’re in for a treat!
© FijiPocketGuide.com12. There’s No Uber in Fiji
Nowadays, Uber and taxis go hand-in-hand when comparing your options. Uber does not have a license to operate in Fiji at the moment, so this option is simply not available. In fact, it is quite important to use a registered taxi driver in Fiji for safety reasons – see above.
© PexelsMore About Taxis in Fiji
That’s it for our guide to taxis in Fiji; for more information about transportation in Fiji, check out the following articles:
Finally, if there’s anything we’ve missed, you’re likely to find it in The Guide to Transport in Fiji.
Sources:
The information in this guide has been compiled from our extensive research, travel and experiences across Fiji and the South Pacific, accumulated over more than a decade of numerous visits to each destination. Additional sources for this guide include the following:
- Land Transport Authority (Road safety advice - Updated [2025])
- Tourism Fiji (General travel advice - Updated [2025])
- Fiji Immigration (Visa and immigration advice - Updated [2025])
- Fiji Revenue & Customs Service (Customs and visitor taxes - Updated [2025])
- Biosecurity Authority of Fiji (Biosecurity advice - Updated [2025])
- Fiji Meteorological Service (Weather forecast and warnings - Updated [2025])
- Fiji Bureau of Statistics (Statistics and travel data - Updated [2025])
- Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation (Tourism statistics - Updated [2025])
- SPTO (Pacific tourism advice - Updated [2025])
- Fiji Hotel and Tourism Association (Tourism trade association - Updated [2025])
- Safe Travel (New Zealand travel advisory for Fiji - Updated [2025])
- Smart Traveller (Australia travel advisory for Fiji - Updated [2025])
- Travel.State.Gov (U.S. travel advisory for Fiji - Updated [2025])
Our editorial standards: At Fiji Pocket Guide, we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure accurate and quality content.
