Fiji has five practical ways to move: local buses at about FJ$1 a trip, metered taxis from a FJ$2 to FJ$5 flagfall, express coaches between Nadi and Suva for FJ$22 to FJ$28, hire cars on the left-hand side of the road, and ferries from FJ$20 for a short outer-island hop to FJ$280 for the far Yasawas. Which one is right depends almost entirely on whether you are crossing the main island or crossing water.
What is the fastest way to compare the options?
| Mode | Typical cost | Reliability | Use it when |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local bus | ~FJ$1 within a city | Frequent on main corridors, flexible timing elsewhere | You are in town and not in a hurry |
| Express coach | FJ$22–28 Nadi–Suva | Scheduled, roughly 6.30am to 6pm | Crossing Viti Levu on a budget |
| Metered taxi (LT) | FJ$15–18 airport to Denarau | High in towns; must use the meter | Short urban and precinct hops |
| Hire-car taxi (LH) | FJ$18–40 airport to Denarau | Fixed price, booked ahead | You want certainty over price |
| Rental car | Varies by operator | Good, but left-hand driving and rural roads | Multi-stop itineraries on Viti Levu |
| Ferry (Mamanuca/Yasawa) | FJ$105–280 one way | Scheduled daily from Port Denarau | Reaching the offshore resorts |
| Ferry (outer islands) | FJ$20–70 one way | Infrequent, 8–14 hours on long routes | Reaching Kadavu, Lau, Lomaiviti |
| Domestic flight | On application | Short hops, weather-sensitive | Saving a day on a Suva or island leg |
Taxi and bus figures were published by Fiji Pocket Guide as current at 2025–26. Confirm at the point of travel; fares move.
How do Fiji taxis actually charge?
There are two plate types and they behave differently.
LT taxis (also marked ND in Nadi and LK in Lautoka) are metered. From Nadi International Airport the flagfall is FJ$5 and the running rate is FJ$0.15 per 100 metres. Elsewhere the flagfall is FJ$2 between 6am and 9pm and FJ$3 outside those hours, with FJ$0.10 per 100 metres and a waiting charge of FJ$0.18 per minute. In towns, the meter must be used.
LH taxis are hire vehicles on fixed rates, usually arranged through a hotel or travel desk. They generally cost more than an LT for the same run.
Published indicative fares from Nadi International Airport:
| Destination | LT (metered) | LH (hire) |
|---|---|---|
| Nadi Town | FJ$12–17 | FJ$18–30 |
| Denarau | FJ$15–18 | FJ$18–40 |
| Sigatoka | FJ$90–130 | FJ$90–130 |
| Suva | FJ$250–300 | FJ$250–300 |
Long-distance runs outside town boundaries are negotiated rather than metered. Agree the number before you get in, not after.
Are Fiji's buses usable for visitors?
Yes, with two caveats. Local buses cost around FJ$1 within a city and are genuinely useful in Suva, Nadi and Lautoka. Many services now require an e-Transport card rather than cash — on the Denarau Westbus, cash is no longer accepted at all, and the fare is under FJ$5 between Nadi and Denarau or under FJ$2 for local runs on the island.
For longer journeys, express coaches run the Queens Road corridor. Pacific Transport Limited is one of the larger operators, reporting more than 10,000 passengers a day across services linking Suva, Sigatoka, Nadi, Lautoka and Ba, with air-conditioned twelve-metre coaches in its fleet. Sunbeam runs roughly eight daily trips along the Queens Road. The Nadi–Suva express fare sits at FJ$22 to FJ$28.
On outer islands such as Taveuni, public buses may run only two or three times a day and are built around the school run. Plan to a schedule you have confirmed locally, not one you found online.
Groups should not use public buses. Tourist Transport Fiji, TEWAKA Fiji, Go Local Fiji and Coral Coast Transfers Tours and Rentals all run chartered fleets sized from a sedan to a 53-seat coach.
Can you drive in Fiji on your own licence?
Generally yes, with conditions. Fiji drives on the left. Authorities recognise valid licences from English-speaking countries; if your licence is not in English you need an International Driving Permit alongside it. An IDP takes up to a month to issue and is valid for three years.
Rental companies then apply their own rules on top, and they vary considerably — published examples include Thrifty accepting drivers 21 and over, Budget requiring 25 and over with two years' experience, and Angels Rental Cars requiring 23 and over with three years. No major operator accepts a provisional licence. Check the specific company before you book.
Guideline only — confirm current licence, permit and road-rule requirements with Fiji's Land Transport Authority before driving. Last reviewed 20 September 2026.
How long does it take to drive anywhere?
| From Nadi Airport to | Distance | Drive time |
|---|---|---|
| Denarau | 7 km | 15 min |
| Lautoka | 33 km | 35 min |
| Coral Coast (Korotogo) | 47 km | 1 hr 5 min |
| Sigatoka | 55 km | 55 min |
| Pacific Harbour | 140 km | 2 hr 20 min |
| Suva | 186 km | 3 hr 10 min |
The Queens Road is the southern coastal route between Nadi and Suva, usually quoted at three to four hours. The Kings Road is the northern route, longer at about five to six hours between Suva and Lautoka. A full circuit of Viti Levu is roughly 500 km and eight to ten hours of driving, which is a multi-day trip, not a day trip.
These are clear-road estimates that assume no rain, no livestock and no roadworks. Add a buffer for any journey with a flight at the end of it.
When do you take a ferry, and when do you fly?
Ferries are the default for the Mamanuca and Yasawa islands. One-way adult fares to those chains run FJ$105 to FJ$280 depending on how far out the resort is, with journeys from 30 minutes to five hours or more from Port Denarau. Main operators from the marina include Yasawa Adventures Fiji, running the Yasawa Flyer daily through both chains, SeaFiji and Mamanuca Express.
For the remote islands — Kadavu, Lau, Lomaiviti, Vanua Levu — fares drop to FJ$20 to FJ$70 but journey times climb to eight to fourteen hours. Operators include Goundar Shipping, Interlink Shipping and Venu Shipping. Most ferries carry vehicles for an additional fee, though rental companies often require their own permission first.
That trade-off is the whole decision. A 4.5-hour boat day to the far Yasawas is cheap and scenic and costs you a day at each end. If the itinerary cannot absorb two days of transfer, fly. Domestic and inter-island flights in Fiji covers the network; note that the Nadi–Suva sector alone carries around 51 flights a week, making it by far the busiest domestic route.
So which mode should you pick?
- Airport to a Nadi or Denarau hotel: metered LT taxi, or a booked transfer if you have luggage or a group.
- Nadi to the Coral Coast: booked private transfer or rental car. A taxi at FJ$90 to FJ$130 is viable for two or more people.
- Nadi to Suva: express coach if budget matters, a flight if a day matters, a car if you want to stop.
- Anywhere offshore: the scheduled ferry from Port Denarau, booked ahead in peak season.
- Kadavu, Lau or Rotuma: fly, unless the journey is the point.
- A group of 15 or more, anywhere: charter. Splitting a group across taxis costs more and arrives in pieces.
For money, health, connectivity and safety alongside transport, start at practical Fiji. Groups should read moving delegates around Fiji, and arriving travellers should check entry, visas and customs for Fiji first. If you are choosing a base rather than a mode, the drive-time table above pairs with the venue numbers on the capacity charts and the planner-side overview on the business events hub.