The Budget & Backpacking Guide to Nadi [2025]

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Getting Around Nadi on a Budget

Nadi is a city that is spread far and wide, from the beaches of Wailoaloa and New Town to the inland Nadi Town running from the Nadi River to the further inland villages and Sebato Hills. Getting around on foot is not going to cut it. Luckily, public transport in Nadi is extremely cheap, and it includes buses, taxis, and private drivers.

Flights – How to Get to Nadi

Nadi is where the vast majority of international flights arrive in Fiji. Direct flights to Nadi are available from the South Pacific islands, New Zealand, Australia, Asia and the US where the connecting flight possibilities are plentiful – check out Which Airlines Fly Straight to Fiji? for tips. If you are arriving in Fiji via Suva, for example, then domestic flights are your quickest and most convenient option to get to Nadi with a daily flight schedule and flights. Discover more about flying to Nadi Domestic Airport in The Complete Guide to Domestic Flights in Fiji.

Getting Around Nadi by Bus

Public buses are plentiful in the Nadi area, where you’ll get all the information you’ll need about where to take buses and their timetables from information centres at the airport, in Nadi and from the travel desk in your chosen accommodation. Trips around Nadi are usually less than FJ$2 and are paid with e-Transport cards rather than with cash. Find out how to pay for Nadi buses in our complete guide, Where to Book Bus Transport in Fiji.

Taxis in Nadi

In Fiji, you’ll encounter two types of taxis: those with LT on the license plate and those with LH (we’ll dive into the latter in the next section). Budget travellers should focus on the LT taxis. These are a popular and affordable way to travel around Nadi. You’ll find them in abundance, from taxi stands at Nadi Airport and Nadi Town to hailing you from the side of the road if you’re seen on foot (that’s right, the taxis hail you)! Taxis with LT plates are affordable and use a meter around the Nadi area. For longer trips leaving Nadi, a fare should be negotiated first. For more insider tips on taking a taxi in Fiji, don’t miss our 10 Things You Need to Know About Taxis in Fiji. Note that taxis are cheaper than LH taxis, which is detailed in Taxi Prices in Fiji: The Costs You Need to Know.

Hiring a Driver

Instead of hiring a car to explore Nadi, which doesn’t offer great value for money, hiring a driver is your best option if you want the convenience of your own car without having to drive and the high rental rates. Drivers can often be organised with your accommodation. Prices, however, need to be agreed on beforehand, as they do not use fare meters like a taxi. Find out more about this transport experience in How to Hire a Driver in Fiji.

Airport Transfers to Your Accommodation

On one last note about transport, most Nadi resorts and accommodations offer free airport transfers, so always inquire before booking a taxi or taking the bus!

Find out more about getting around in the 10 Ways to Get to (& Around) Nadi.

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Free and Cheap Activities in Nadi

Nadi is a widespread city with plenty of free and cheap attractions to see. Check out some of the highlights below, or check out 10 Free & Cheap Things to Do in Nadi for more recommendations.

Sri Siva Subramaniya Swami Temple

Just outside of the hustle and bustle of Main Street in Nadi Town, the Sri Siva Subramaniya Swami Temple is a gloriously colourful structure definitely worth adding to your sightseeing itinerary. Admission is around FJ$5, during which you will be given a sarong (sulu) to cover your legs, remove your shoes, and explore the carvings and paintings of Hindu deities around the temple. While it’s acceptable to take photos outside of the temple, you are asked not to take photos inside.

Shopping in Central Nadi

Nadi’s shopping scene is where you’ll find the melting pot of cultures in Fiji the most evident. Fijian crafts, Indian fashion, polished Western-style souvenir shops, and more can be found all along Nadi’s Main Street. Needless to say, souvenir shopping is made pretty easy here, with the option of large souvenir outlets like Jack’s and Tappoo selling mass-produced souvenirs to the alternative shopping experience of the Nadi Handicraft Market. We recommend shopping around first, as many souvenir stores will sell the same items at different prices. Finally, the Nadi Market is where you’ll find fresh produce and get to mingle with the locals! Buy some tropical fruit and vegetables and ask the stall owners how to prepare them. Learn more about shopping in Where to Buy the Best Souvenirs in Fiji.

Garden of the Sleeping Giant

Visit Fiji’s largest collection of orchids and walk among the lush tropical forests of the Garden of the Sleeping Giant. Located in the Sabeto Foothills, a short taxi ride from Nadi, the Garden of the Sleeping Giant’s entry price remains under FJ$20 to explore this little piece of tropical paradise before sitting down to a refreshing fruit drink at the end of your visit.

Sabeto Mud Pools

At around FJ$30 per adult, the Sabeto Mud Pools, located near the Garden of the Sleeping Giant, are a great way to experience real “Fiji time” pampering on a budget. Lather yourself in thick mud, let it dry on the skin, and then bathe in numerous natural hot pools around the complex. This tourist attraction is organised by the local village, often with food, massages and souvenirs to purchase too.

World War II Batteries

A quick pitstop for a great view overlooking Nadi Bay is the Lomolomo WWII battery at the foot of the Sabeto Mountains. From the Queens Road, travelling north, turn right after the Lomolomo Village Store, then the first left up the rough gravel road. Where the main gravel road ends and forks into two dirt roads. Follow the dirt road on the left uphill (on foot) for about 5 minutes to reach the guns. This attraction is approximately 15 km (9 mi) north of Nadi.

Alternatively, the Momi Battery Historical Park is a fascinating World War II site that offers a glimpse into Fiji’s wartime history. For around FJ$10 per adult and FJ$5 per child (ages 6-17), you can explore this coastal defence battery constructed between 1939 and 1942 by US and New Zealand forces. (Children under six enter for free, and there’s a family pass available for FJ$25). Choose between a guided tour (included in the entry fee) or a self-guided exploration of the site. Most visitors spend about 20-25 minutes here, learning about the battery’s role in protecting the Navua Passage and its intriguing history – including the fact that the guns were only fired three times! The site is open from 8 am to 4:30 pm daily, with facilities including on-site bathrooms and soft drinks for sale. For a truly memorable experience, you can even book a sunset viewing. Don’t miss this opportunity to combine history, stunning views, and a touch of wartime drama on your Fiji adventure!

Visit Wailoaloa Beach

Although it’s not the perfect white sand beach for which Fiji’s outer islands are known, Wailoaloa Beach is Nadi’s version of beach time in Fiji. The area is packed with resorts, most of which are budget resorts but are well worth considering as a base for exploring the Mamanuca Islands and the surrounding Nadi area. Boat excursions, particularly with the Mana Flyer, depart from the resorts at Wailoaloa Beach, giving you the opportunity to visit some of Fiji’s paradise islands without paying luxury prices. Check out the 5 Ways to Get to the Mamanuca Islands for more information.

More Things to Do in Nadi

Explore the vibrant Nadi Municipal Market to sample local produce and soak up the atmosphere, hike the picturesque Sleeping Giant Mountain trail for panoramic views of Nadi and join a guided tour of a local village to experience Fijian culture firsthand. We have many more affordable experiences listed in the 10 Free & Cheap Things to Do in Nadi. For activities that don’t necessarily fall into the “budget” category but are just as awesome, check out the 25 Best Things to Do in Nadi.

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Dining in Nadi on a Budget

Eating the local cuisine is all part of the cultural experience of visiting Nadi. What’s more, it’s especially easy to eat on a budget in Nadi.

For Western-style food, pick up a refreshing smoothie, coffee or baked good from the Zigzag Cafe (Prouds Building, Main Street) for around FJ$5, or a ridiculously cheap and delicious curry from one of the many curry houses, like Tata’s (Nadi Back Road, Nadi Central), for around FJ$4 for a main meal. Mama’s Pizza (Sagayam Road & Main Street) is also worth trying for their wood-fired delights under FJ$20.

For more recommendations, check out more Cheap Eats in Nadi.