How to Get Around Fiji Islands

Getting Around

Getting in is through Nadi, on the dry western side of Viti Levu, which is why most resorts are nearby. Suva has a second international airport with regional flights.

Between islands, the Yasawa Flyer catamaran runs daily up the Yasawa chain with a hop-on pass, and South Sea Cruises serve the Mamanucas. Ferries connect Viti Levu with Vanua Levu and Ovalau, and are slow and inexpensive.

Flying: Fiji Airways and Northern Air connect Nadi and Suva with Taveuni, Savusavu, Labasa and Kadavu on small aircraft, with strict baggage limits. Seaplanes and helicopters serve the private islands.

On Viti Levu, express buses run the Queens and Kings roads around the island, cheaply and reliably. Shared minivans are faster.

Hire cars are available; roads around the coast are fine and the interior needs four-wheel-drive. Drive on the left.

Taxis are metered in town and should be agreed by price for longer trips.

Verified against Global Affairs Canada, September 2026.

The ambulance rule

This is the fact to carry into Fiji ahead of any other. Emergency and ambulance services are very limited and response times are slow, and ambulances only provide transportation — they do not provide care. In the event of serious illness or injury you should consider taking a taxi or private vehicle to get to the hospital rather than waiting for an ambulance. That inverts the instinct most visitors arrive with, and it is the official advice.

Health care itself is severely limited: facilities often lack services, medical supplies, drugs and equipment, and clinics and hospitals usually require payment in advance. Anything serious means evacuation to Australia or New Zealand, which is expensive — so insurance covering medical evacuation is not optional here.

Taxis

Only use officially marked taxis with yellow licence plates, and book through a hotel or another reputable establishment where you can. Many taxis are in poor condition and may not have seatbelts, and some take cash only. Arrange airport pickup with your hotel in advance or use an authorised cab at the airport, never share with strangers, and note the driver's details.

Buses and roads

Public buses are poorly maintained, and there have been severe accidents with buses catching fire. On the road generally: drivers can be erratic, drinking and driving may occur at any time of day or night, and Fiji has a zero-tolerance policy on drink driving for you. Keep to main roads and highways, avoid travelling outside the cities after dark, park securely at night, and ask about roadside-assistance cover when you hire. Carry an International Driving Permit.

Between the islands

Getting in is through Nadi on the dry western side of Viti Levu, which is why most resorts are nearby; Suva has a second international airport with regional flights. The Yasawa Flyer catamaran runs daily up the Yasawa chain with a hop-on pass and South Sea Cruises serve the Mamanucas; ferries to Vanua Levu and Ovalau are slow and cheap. Fiji Airways and Northern Air fly small aircraft to Taveuni, Savusavu, Labasa and Kadavu with strict baggage limits, and seaplanes and helicopters serve the private islands. Plan island transfers as a route rather than improvising — they are the line that quietly doubles a budget.

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Sources & verification Covers the sourced claims on this page.

Checked against Global Affairs Canada — Emergency and ambulance services in Fiji are very limited with slow response times, ambulances only provide transportation and do not provide care, and for serious illness or injury you should consider taking a taxi or private vehicle to hospital rather than waiting for an ambulance, Many taxis in Fiji are in poor condition and may not have seatbelts, some take cash only, and only officially marked taxis with yellow licence plates should be used, booked through a hotel or other reputable establishment, Public buses in Fiji are poorly maintained and there have been severe accidents with buses catching fire, Drinking and driving may occur at any time of day or night in Fiji, and Fiji has a zero-tolerance policy for drinking and driving; an International Driving Permit should be carried, Caution should be exercised for erratic driving, travel outside cities after dark avoided, main roads and highways used, vehicles parked securely at night, and roadside assistance cover asked about when renting, Ambulances in Fiji only provide transportation and not care, services are very limited with slow response times, and for serious illness or injury a taxi or private vehicle should be considered instead of waiting, Health care in Fiji is severely limited, facilities often lack services, medical supplies, drugs and equipment, and clinics and hospitals usually require payment in advance, Only officially marked taxis with yellow licence plates should be used, many taxis are in poor condition and may not have seatbelts, and some take cash only, Public buses are poorly maintained with severe accidents including buses catching fire, drinking and driving may occur at any time of day or night, and Fiji has a zero-tolerance policy for drinking and driving (September 2026).