Tonga: Various travel information
Formalities, visas
Tourists are only allowed to enter the country if a return ticket and sufficient financial means are available to finance their stay in the country themselves. An entry visa is required, but for citizens of the following countries it is issued for one month upon entry into the country:
- Australia
- Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam
- Cook Islands
- Denmark, Germany, Dominica
- Fiji Islands, Finland, France, French Polynesia (New Caledonia, Tahiti, Wallis & Futuna)
- Greece
- Ireland, Italy
- Japan
- Canada, Kiribati
- Luxembourg
- Malaysia, Malta, Marshal Islands, Monaco
- Nauru, Netherlands, New Zealand, Niue, Norway
- Austria
- Palau, Papua New Guinea, Portugal
- Russia
- Samoa, Seychelles, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Sweden, Switzerland, Spain, St Kitts & Nevis, St Lusia, St Vincent & the Grenadines
- Turkey, Tuvalu
- Ukraine
- United States
- Vanuatu, United Kingdom, Federated States of Micronesia
- Cyprus
If you want to stay longer or are of a different nationality, you should contact the immigration authorities in Tonga:
VISA SECTION, IMMIGRATION DIVISION, MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS Government of Tonga PO Box 352 Nuku’alofa Tel: (00676) 26 970/26 9691 Email: [email protected]
Arrival and transport
Tonga is served by the following airlines:
Air Newzealand
www.airnewzealand.co.nz
From Australia to Tonga
The airline connects Australia with Auckland daily, from here Air New Zealand flies to Tonga five times a week.
From Europe to Tonga
From Europe, Air New Zealand flies daily from London to Los Angeles, from where there is a weekly connection to Tonga via Samoa. You can also fly from Europe via Singapore to Auckland/New Zealand.
Polynesian Airlines
www.polynesianairlines.com
From Australia to Tonga
The airline connects Tonga and Sydney once a week.
From New Zealand to Tonga
Polynesian Airlines flies once a week from Wellington and Auckland to Tonga.
From the USA to Tonga
The airline flies once a week from Honolulu via Apia/Samoa to Tonga.
Air Pacific
www.airpacific.com
From Australia to Tonga
Air Pacific flies from Brisbane and Sydney to Fiji on Tuesdays and Thursdays with connecting flights to Tonga.
From Fiji to Tonga
This flight connection operates three times a week.
From the USA to Tonga
Air Pacific flies three times a week from Honolulu and Los Angeles via Fiji to Tonga.
Travel in the country
Air connections The best way to reach the islands is by plane. There are three airports in the Kingdom of Tonga, one international and two regional. The airports are in:
- Nuku’alofa (international), on Tongatapu Island
- Neiafu (national), on the island of Vava’n
- Ohunva (national), on the island of Eva
Most of the islands are served by NiU Airlines and Air Waves of Va’vau. The Royal Tonga Air had to file for bankruptcy in 2004 due to mismanagement.
Sunday is sacred in Tonga, so flight operations are suspended on that day.
Bus
You can travel well on the larger islands by bus.
Roads
There are 680 km of roads, of which around 184 km are tarred.
Rental
Cars Cars can only be rented in Nuku’alofa on Tongatapu and Neiafu on the Vava’u archipelago. You may only drive 40 km/h inside the built-up areas and 55 km/h outside of built-up areas.
Taxi
Taxis can be recognized by the “T”, there are plenty of them.
Bicycles
Bicycles can be rented in Nuku’alofa on Tongatapu, Neiafu on the Vava’u Archipelago and on the Ha’apai Islands.
Ferry connections
The ferry connects the main island of Tongatapu with the islands of Ha’apai and Vava’u.
- Tongatapu – Ha’apai, once a week
- Tongatapu – Vava’u, once a week
- Tongatapu – Niuas once a month
- Tongatapu – Eua daily.
The outer islands can also be reached by ferry.
Local currency, import and export of goods
National currency
The national currency of Tonga is the Pa’anga = 100 Seniti.
Shop opening times
Monday – Friday: 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Saturday: 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Sunday is sacred in Tonga, so almost all shops are closed. Even the air traffic stands still on Sunday!
Inexpensive or country-specific goods, souvenirs,
handicrafts such as tapas made of bark fiber or woven baskets are popular souvenirs.
Duty-free
Travelers over 16 years of age are allowed to import 500 grams of tobacco or 500 cigarettes duty-free. Furthermore, people over 18 years of age are allowed to import 2.25 liters of spirits or 4.5 liters of wine or 4.5 liters of beer duty-free.
It is best not to bring in food, fruits and animals; quarantine regulations apply.
International license plate
According to Abbreviationfinder, Tonga’s international license plate is:
| TO |
Infectious diseases
In Tonga, the following diseases, which are not or only sporadically widespread in Germany and Northern Europe, are to be expected, primarily due to contaminated water and various foods:
- Malaria, there is no risk of malaria.
- Dengue fever
- various intestinal diseases such as amoeba, shigella, worm infestation, lamblia or salmonella
- Filariasis
- Hepatitis A and B
Vaccination Recommendations Vaccinations are recommended against the following diseases:
- Diphtheria, a vaccination against diphtheria should always exist, also in the home country.
- Hepatitis A and B
- Tetanus, a vaccination against tetanus should always exist, also in the home country.
- Typhoid, only for risk travelers who may come into contact with contaminated water or infected food.
Compulsory vaccination A compulsory vaccination exists for all persons over one year old who come from yellow fever infection areas designated by the WHO.
Diplomatic missions
Visit Countryaah for a full list of Tonga embassies and consulates in each country around the world.
Representations in Germany
Embassy
The Kingdom of Tonga does not have its own embassy in Germany, but is only represented by two honorary consulates. The embassy in London is responsible.
Embassy in London
36, Molyneux Street
London W1 H 6AB, United Kingdom
Tel: 0044 – 2077 24 5828
Email: [email protected]
Honorary Consul General in Düsseldorf
Kalkumer Schlossallee 47
40489 Düsseldorf
Tel: 0049 – (0) 211 – 2006692
Honorary Consul General in Hamburg
Habichtstrasse 41
22305 Hamburg
Tel: 0049 – (0) 40 – 61135375
Email: [email protected]
Embassy
The Federal Republic of Germany does not have its own embassy in Tonga, but is only represented by an honorary consulate. The embassy in Wellington, New Zealand is responsible.
Embassy in Wellington
Hobson Street 90-92
Thorndon 6011, Wellington
Tel: 0064 – (0) 4 473 60 63
Email: [email protected]
www.wellington.diplo.de
The German Embassy in Wellington is still responsible for:
- American Samoa
- Cook Islands
- Fiji Islands
- Kiribati
- Niue
- Pitcairn
- Samoa
- Tokelau
- Tuvalu
Honorary Consulate in Nuku’alofa
PO Box 32
Nuku’alofa
Email: [email protected]
German representations for the Kingdom of Tonga
Foreign Office of the Federal Republic of Germany
Citizen Service
Telephone: 0049 – (0) 30 – 5000 – 2000
www.auswaertiges-amt.de/de
Austrian representations in Tonga
Embassy
Austria does not have its own embassy in Tonga. The embassy in Canberra, Australia is responsible.
Embassy in Canberra
12 Talbot Street
Forrest, ACT 2603
Tel: 0061 – 2 – 6295 1533
Email: [email protected]
www.aussenministerium.at/canberra
www.austria.org.au
The Austrian Embassy in Canberra is next Australia still responsible for:
- Fiji Islands
- Kiribati
- Marshall Islands
- Federated States of Micronesia
- Nauru
- New Zealand
- Papua New Guinea
- Solomon Islands
- Samoa
- Tonga
- Tuvalu
- Vanuatu
Swiss representations in Tonga
Embassy
Switzerland does not have its own embassy in Tonga. The embassy in New Zealand is responsible.
Embassy in Wellington
10 Customhouse Quay (Maritime Tower, Level 12)
Wellington 6140
Postal address: PO Box 25004, Wellington 6146
Tel: 0064 – (0) 4 – 472 1593
Email: [email protected]
www.eda.admin.ch/wellington
The Swiss embassy in Wellington is still responsible for:
- Cook Islands
- Fiji Islands
- Niue
- Samoa
- Tokelau
Representations in Switzerland
Embassy
The Kingdom of Tonga does not have its own embassy in Switzerland, but is only represented by an honorary consulate. The embassy in London is responsible.
Embassy in London
36, Molyneux Street
London W1 H 6AB, United Kingdom
Tel: 0044 – 2077 24 5828
Email: [email protected]
Honorary Consul General in Zurich
Weinbergstrasse 29
8006 Zurich
Tel: 0041 – 44 – 251 155
Email: [email protected]
