Air New Zealand flies between Auckland and Tonga, with one flight a week going to Los Angeles and back, with a brief stop in Samoa each way. Air Pacific connects Tonga to its flights to Fiji from Los Angeles, Australia, and New Zealand. Polynesian Blue flies to Tonga from Auckland and Sydney. Airlines Tonga flies a turbo-prop plane between Nadi and Vava'u.
No flights go into, or out of, Tonga on Sunday, when local airports are closed.
Arriving
Except for the few international flights destined for Vava'u, most land at Fua'amotu Airport (TBU) on Tongatapu, 24km (15 miles) or a 30-minute drive from Nuku'alofa. The terminal has currency exchange counters, an ATM, a duty-free shop, a snack bar, and a handicraft outlet. International passengers can purchase duty-free liquor and cigarettes after clearing Immigration but before going through Customs.
Getting To Your Hotel
Transportation from the airport into Nuku'alofa is by hotel minibuses or taxi. The bus ride to town costs T$10 (US$5/£2.50). The one-way taxi fare into Nuku'alofa is about T$30 (US$15/£7.50); the drivers will be happy to take U.S., New Zealand, or Australian currency.
Departing
A departure tax of T$25 (US$13/£6.25) is charged of all passengers leaving on international flights. You pay it in Tongan currency at Fua'amotu Airport, at a separate booth outside Immigration. There is no departure tax for domestic flights. There is no currency exchange facility in the departure lounge, so swap your money before clearing Immigration.
