How to Buy a Bus Ticket in Fiji
Travelling Fiji’s main islands by bus is the cheapest way of getting further faster in Fiji! 90% of Fiji’s roads are on the two main islands, Viti Levu and Vanua Levu, alone, so getting around by bus is a popular way to see the main islands. Both locals and tourists make use of these methods of transport, with different bus experiences to suit everyone and every budget. Local buses give travellers the opportunity to mingle with the locals, as well as being super cheap! Alternatively, express coaches are comfortable air-conditioned buses that will get you across the islands in under seven hours! Finally, relax with a true holiday experience with one of the coach tours, whether you’re looking for full-day sightseeing tours or multi-day adventure tours! We’ll go through the different methods of booking bus transport and answer the question: Where to book bus transport in Fiji?
Still planning how you’re going to get around Fiji? Take a look at 7 Ways to Get Around Fiji. If you want to travel to the outer islands, be sure to check out Travelling Fiji by Ferry.
6 Tips for Travelling Fiji by Bus
- Using the local buses? They run on “Fiji Time” meaning that they don’t necessarily run to a tight schedule.
- Have some cash available for paying for bus tickets.
- Long express coach journeys will often have a movie playing (not that the scenery isn’t entertaining enough).
- Using your resort or hotel concierge is a quick and easy way to book bus transport.
- Many activity tours, island resorts and ferry services offer bus transfers to take you between hotels/airport and their activity base. Always inquire about transfers when booking!
- Want to go from resort to resort in Denarau? Pick up a hop-on hop-off Bula Bus ticket from your Denarau resort reception or in several outlets in Denarau town centre.
© FijiPocketGuide.comWhere to Buy Local Bus Tickets
The cheapest and “most local” way to travel around Fiji’s main islands is via the local buses. With open-air windows and padded seats within a weathered-looking bus, the local buses are the real Fiji experience! Like local buses in other countries, the local buses follow specific routes, stopping at main town and city bus stops along the way. You can even hail down public buses from the side of the road by waving at the driver. Remember, these buses run on “Fiji Time” so a bus will arrive at each stop when it arrives at each stop.
How to Pay for Local Bus Tickets
You must pay for a local bus using compulsory e-tickets. Both permanent and disposable e-tickets are available to purchase, with disposable e-tickets being valid for up to 30 days after the first day of use. Most tourists will opt for a disposable e-ticket.
Disposable e-tickets are available to purchase in FJ$2, $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100 denominations. They can be purchased on any local bus but you must pay for them with cash (Fiji dollars). You cannot pay for bus travel directly with cash.
If you have credit still left on your e-ticket by the end of your holiday, the remaining balance can be refunded at Vodafone outlets as long as you have some accompanying ID, i.e. a passport.
Learn More About the Local Buses
Check out our complete guide to Commuting in Fiji.
© FijiPocketGuide.comWhere to Book Express Buses in Fiji
Express buses or scheduled coaches are large air-conditioned coaches running on a fixed schedule. There are express coaches for going between Nadi and Suva, either by the northern Kings Road or the southern Queens Road on Viti Levu. Express buses are a little bit pricier than public buses, yet extremely affordable, with rates being around FJ$22 per person between Suva and Nadi, decreasing in price the shorter the distance you go. Express buses will stop at the main towns’ and cities’ bus stops as specified on their timetables. Some express buses, like Coral Sun Fiji, offer pick-ups and drop-offs at hotels and resorts.
How to Book an Express Bus Ticket
While some express bus tickets can be booked through travel agents and through hotel and resort reception or tour desks, most just accept cash for a bus ticket onboard. Some express buses, like Coral Sun, will stop at hotels and resorts if booked in advance. Alternatively, buses are normally hailed down from the scheduled bus stops. As buses run on a tight schedule, be sure to be at the bus stop 15 minutes before the departure time.
Learn More About the Express Coaches
Take a look at How to Travel Fiji by Bus to see how to plan a whole holiday in Fiji using the buses.
© FijiPocketGuide.comWhere to Book Coach Tours and Hop-On Hop-Off Buses
Coach tours are a way of getting the full Fiji holiday experience. All the logistics are worked out for you, all you need to do is be ready on time and enjoy the ride. While most coach tours offer half-day to full-day trips, other tours like Feejee Experience offers multi-day trips around Viti Levu.
Hop-on hop-off buses are also available in Denarau Island where you can hop-on and hop-off the bus at most of the resorts in the area, as well as the town centre of Denarau.
How to Book Coach Tours in Fiji
Coach tours must be booked prior to departure. They can either be booked and paid directly with the coach company or through partner travel agents, resorts or online if you’re booking a tour with Feejee Experience (more info on Viator and Tripadvisor). See the benefits of each booking option in our Where to Book Tours in Fiji.
How to Book Hop-On Hop-Off Buses
Denarau’s Bula Bus requires a bus ticket in order for passengers to use the service. Bus tickets can be purchased from resort reception and travel desks, as well as several outlets in Denarau town. Signs and stickers saying “Bula Bus” will indicate which outlets to purchase the ticket from. Tickets are valid for the full day, allowing you to hop on and off the bus as many times as you want throughout the day.
More on Where to Book Bus Transport in Fiji
