one of the great things about independent travel in beautiful samoa is that you don’t necessarily have to rent a car. there’s an extensive network of colourful public busses with open windows (with pull-up plexiglass screens for rainy times), boasting local music and cheap fares. this is the way to go for a true local experience!
on the island of upolu (which houses the country’s capital, apia), there are two bus terminals and buses run more or less to a schedule (details below). in contrast, on the island of savaii, busses run more infrequently but at least they’re usually timed so they meet the departing/arriving ferries from upolu (don’t take your time getting off the ferry!).
here’s a list and timetable of the public bus network on upolu from january 2018 (transcript below), courtesy of the samoa tourism authority.
some important notes:
- please be aware that all details below are (of course) subject to change, and just intended to give you an idea of timing and pricing.
- when you arrive in apia, be sure to visit the tourist information fale (near the cathedral) and ask for an up-to-date version.
- times are approximates for when the bus leaves. be sure to get there 30+ minutes early and get on the bus, as they can leave early if they fill up (or much later if they don’t).
“BUS SCHEDULE FOR UPOLU ISLAND
Please verify with bus drivers before leaving Apia. Bus schedules are independently set by operators and the times shown here are approximates. The Samoa Tourism Authority [or thinkoholic.com] is not responsible for any last minute schedule changes.”Bus Terminals: Fugalei Food Market and Savalalo Flea Market
| Bus Name | Destination | Departure Times | Approx. Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| * Vaoala | every hour | ||
| Hotel Insel Fehmarn | $1.80 | ||
| Robert L S Museum / Tomb | $2.00 | ||
| * Siumu | * 7.30am, 10am, 2pm | ||
| Bahai Temple | $6.00 | ||
| Tiavi Falls | $6.00 | ||
| Sinalei Reef Resort | $7.20 | ||
| Coconut Beach Resort | $7.20 | ||
| Aganoa Black Sand Beach | $8.20 | ||
| * Salani Falealili | * 8.30am, 2.30pm | ||
| Togitogiga Waterfall | $8.40 | ||
| Salani Surf Resort | $8.00 | ||
| * Fagalii | * every half hour | ||
| Apia Park Stadium | $1.70 | ||
| Royal Golf Course | $2.50 | ||
| * Saluafata | Saoluafata Beach Fales | * 8.30am, 9am, 10am, 12pm, 3.30pm, 5.20pm | $4.50 |
| * Falefa | Piula Cave Pool | * 8.30am, 10.30am, 12.30pm, 2.30pm, 4.30pm | $4.00 |
| * Saleapaga | Seabreeze Resort | * 10am, 11am, 2pm, 3pm, 5pm | $7.40 |
| * Lalomanu | * 10am, 11am, 11.30am, 2pm, 2.30pm, 3.30pm, 4pm, 4.30pm | ||
| Faofao Beach Fale | $7.70 | ||
| Boomerang Creek | |||
| Lalomanu Beach Fales | $8.00 | ||
| * Faleolo | * 6am, 8.30am, 10.30am, 12pm, 3pm, 5pm | ||
| Malua Theological College | $3.00 | ||
| Faleolo International Airport | $5.00 | ||
| * Pasi O Vaa | * 6am, 6.30am, 8am, 8.30am, 10am, 10.30am, 11am, 2pm, 2.30pm | ||
| Aggie Grey’s LBR&S | $5.50 | ||
| Mulifanua Wharf | $5.50 | ||
| * Manono-uta | Airport Lodge | $6.50 | |
| * Falelatai | |||
| Le Vasa Resort | $6.50 | ||
| Manono-uta (Ferry to Manono Island) | $6.70 | ||
| * Seesee | * every hour | ||
| Mormon Temple | $1.30 | ||
| Papaseea Sliding Rocks | $2.80 | ||
| * Lefaga | * 7am, 10am, 11.30am, 1.30pm, 3pm, 4.30pm | ||
| Tanumapua Rainforest | $2.40 | ||
| Cloud 9 Ecolodge | $4.00 | ||
| Return to Paradise | $6.00 | ||
| Matareva Beach Fale | $6.00 | ||
| * Saanapu / Sataoa (via Aleisa) | * 9.30am, 2.30pm | ||
| Virgin Cove Resort | $6.00 | ||
| Saanapu Mangrove | $6.50 |
Talofa. Can you tell me please where the bus stop would be nearest to the Return to Paradise resort?
I will be staying at the Return to Paradise resort. Does that mean (according to the above timetable) that there are buses leaving the resort DAILY at 7, 10 and 11.30 am, and 1.30, 3 & 4.30 p.m. FROM THE RESORT travelling to Apia? If yes, when do they return? Faafetai