Search car rental at Apia Faleolo Airport

Immerse yourself in Samoan culture and unimaginable scenery in the tropical city of Apia. As the capital of Samoa, this small metropolis is the largest urban centre of the two-island nation. Buzzing with local markets, eateries and nightclubs, you can visit for a few days or make this a home base for your tropical holiday. Hire a car with Airport Rentals to take in the stunning landscape on your own time.

Planning a longer getaway? Island hop around the Pacific and grab a car rental in Nadi Fiji, Noumea or Tahiti. These are only a short plane ride away.

Picking up your Apia airport rental in Samoa

Faleolo International Airport is the transportation hub for Samoa, located on Upolu Island 50 minutes away from Apia. Upon arriving at Faleolo, head to the arrivals terminal to pick up your rental car. Avis has a fleet on airport grounds while Budget offers a complimentary shuttle to their nearby depot.

Remember to drive on the left-hand side and be cautious of animals and children near the roads. The highway loops around the island making it nearly impossible to get lost but a navigation aid is always useful, particularly at night. Traffic jams are rare, but expect to drive slow when passing through towns.

Hiring a car in Apia is easy with Airport Rentals

The best way to travel around Samoa is with your own wheels. Find the right vehicle for your island road trip in just seconds using our website. Simply type ‘Apia’ into the search engine, select desired dates and you’ll be presented with great deals for a range of cars. Save on petrol by hiring a compact or book a minibus and bring the whole family. Both Avis and Budget depots are on-site at the airport, making it quick and easy to start your trip beginning in Apia.

Guide to Airport

Faleolo Airport is the international hub for Samoa, situated 40-kilometres from Apia. The airport is open 24 hours and although it is small, it includes amenities such as duty-free shopping, currency exchange counters, restaurants and travel agencies. Short-term parking is available on site.

If you’re heading into the city without a car, flag down a taxi for around 40 Tala (USD$15). Note: it’s important to agree on the price before starting the journey. For a cheaper option, buy a bus ticket from the government tourist office booth in the arrivals area. This bus service stops at all the major hotels in Apia costing only 12 Tala (USD$5). Or for 5 Tala (USD$2), jump on the local bus that runs until 5pm.

Accommodation options in paradise

Wake up on the beach when staying in Apia. Sleep like an islander and stay in a fale, a traditional thatched roof hut with an ocean view. Top resorts such as the Sheraton Samoa Aggie Grey’s Hotel offer holiday suites and lush bungalows only 3km away from the airport. Or stay at the Airport Lodge Samoa, seven minutes west of Faleolo Airport.

Culture - the Samoan way

Samoa is made up of two islands, Upolu and Savai’i. Apia is the capital and largest city on Upolu island and home to 40,000 residents. Located on the central north coast, Apia combines small city life with beach paradise. The 3000-year old Samoan culture values respect and family duty; tradition governs local society.

Events

Between water sport racing and cultural festivals, there is always something going on in Apia.

● The Teuila Festival held each September showcases Samoan culture through dance competitions, tattooing, carving and more.

● The Miss Samoa Pageant takes place at the same time, supporting opportunities for young Samoan women who aspire to influence their country.

● Alo Paopao Festival is an annual canoe race that features music and art exhibits in late August.

Eats

Meal time is important in traditional Samoan culture and often includes an ‘ava (kava) ritual. Visit the Cultural Center for an umu (earth-cooked) lunch and partake in a ceremony. Try the highly-rated Paddles Restaurant on the waterfront for a Samoan-Italian fusion menu. Enjoy organic, locally sourced meals at Palusami for Samoan flavoured dishes. This city loves their Italian food, dig in to the best pizza on the island at Giordano’s.

Attractions

There’s plenty to keep you busy in and around Apia. Check out these amazing sites:

● Maketi Fou market for a local shopping excursion.

● To Sua Ocean Trench, a crystal blue swimming hole surrounded by lush vegetation.

● Samoa Cultural Village tours which include weaving workshops, dance, and an ‘ava ceremony with umu lunch.

● Snorkel and swim with the local marine life at Palolo Deep Marine Reserve.

● Papapapaitai Falls, a 100m high waterfall only 20 minutes outside the city.

● Papaseea Sliding Rocks, fun for the whole family.

Best ways to get around Apia

If you haven’t picked up your car hire yet, taxis are plentiful in the city centre. Make sure to agree on a price before entering the vehicle. If you are unsure about prices ask your accommodation hosts for advice. For an exciting local experience, hop on one of the brightly coloured buses and explore the surrounding areas. Take a map just in case. The bus depot is next to the food market in Fugalei neighborhood, four kilometres northwest of the city centre.

Weather in Paradise

With a tropical rainforest climate, Apia is consistently warm making it great to visit any time of the year. The annual average temperature hovers around 26 degrees Celsius. The island’s rainiest months are December to March and driest are July and August.