Tonga

Boat travel

Local boats can be dangerous because they:

• can be overloaded
• are poorly maintained
• lack life-saving equipment

Operators may not provide life jackets on boats, rafts or kayaks.

Some cruise ships stop in Tonga.

More information:

Driving permit

Australian driver’s licences and international driving permits aren’t recognised. To get a licence, contact the Ministry of Infrastructure.

You must have a temporary Tongan licence to hire a motor scooter or car.

Road travel

Driving in Tonga can be dangerous, especially at night due to:

• poor street lighting
• low-quality roads
• pedestrians and free-roaming animals on roads

Speeding, alcohol and drug-driving cause many road deaths.

Some road rules differ from those in Australia. Be aware that:

• you must give way to vehicles that are turning right
• the speed limit in most locations is 50km/h
• the blood alcohol limit for driving is 0.015%
• if you’re caught with alcohol on your breath when driving, you’ll be taken for further testing
• if you have an accident while not wearing a seatbelt, you may not be covered by travel insurance

More information:

Motorcycles

Always wear a helmet. This applies to a motorbike or motor scooter. Hire companies don’t always provide helmets.

If you plan to hire a motorcycle, check your travel insurance covers you.

Taxis

Only use registered taxis and authorised limousines. Arrange these through your hotel.

Public transport

Limited bus services operate on Tongatapu.

Bus services finish at 5pm. Buses don’t run on Sundays.

Petty crime happens on buses. Take care of your belongings.

More information:

Air travel

Domestic aircraft safety and maintenance practices in Tonga may not meet international standards. Take this into account when booking your air travel.

Tonga’s domestic airline, Real Tonga, operates scheduled flights to all island groups.

Limited domestic services can result in:

• overbooking
• overloading
• late changes to scheduling

DFAT doesn’t provide information on the safety of individual commercial airlines or flight paths.

Check Tonga’s air safety profile with the Aviation Safety Network.

More information:

Read the original advice at SmartTraveller.gov.au by Australian Government