Ferry Fares and Other Costs When Taking a Ferry in Samoa
Want to do some island-hopping in Samoa? With no domestic flights, taking the ferry or boat transport is just about the only way to get between the islands. As you’ll see from this guide to ferry fares and costs in Samoa, ferry tickets are relatively inexpensive. So, how much do ferries cost in Samoa? Find out adult and child fares, vehicle fares, the cost for the “VIP Lounge”, and even to some of the smaller islands, in this Samoa ferry cost guide.
Note that all prices are approximate and are subject to change.
5 Tips for Purchasing Ferry Tickets in Samoa
- Book your ferry ticket to Savai’i in advance if travelling in a vehicle; vehicles that don’t book can only board if there’s space and may have to wait until the next sailing
- Foot passengers cannot book their ferry ticket to Savai’i in advance, but there’s always space
- The wharf ticket offices on Savai’i and Upolu close one hour before scheduled departure for vehicles and 30 minutes before departure for passengers, so make sure you arrive and purchase your tickets before then
- Although return tickets are available to purchase, they are the same price as two one-way tickets. Buying a return vehicle ticket, however, usually saves time in booking two separate tickets
- Return ferry tickets to American Samoa are cheaper than two one-way tickets, on the other hand!
© SamoaPocketGuide.comFerry Prices to Savai’i and Upolu
Ferries run seven days a week, 365 days a year between Samoa’s two main islands, Upolu and Savai’i. The journey takes 60 to 90 minutes, departing from Mulifanua Wharf on the western side of Upolu and from Salelologa Wharf on the eastern side of Savai’i. Ferries are for both vehicles and foot passengers.
Check out our full guide on catching the ferry between the islands in How to Take a Ferry to Savai’i.
Foot Passenger Prices
- Adult passenger: ST$10
- Child (2-12 years) passenger: ST$5
- Infant: Free
Note that return fares are available, costing the same as two one-way fares and that prices are subject to change.
Vehicle Prices
- Cat A vehicle (10-12 ft): ST$80
Vehicles include Gets, Suzuki 2-doors, Mini Terios (2-doors), etc. - Cat B vehicle (12-15 ft): ST$95
Vehicles include Hiace vans, Hilux pickups, Land Cruisers, 4 Runners, Ford Sedans, Mazdas, seven-seaters, etc. - Cat C vehicle (15-18 ft): ST$100
Vehicles include light trucks, Ford vans (F150, T100), GMC Pickups, Chevy pickups, American vans, Kia vans (15-seater), Toyota Tundra, etc.
Note that vehicle prices include the driver; tickets for additional passengers need to be purchased at the wharf no later than 30 minutes before the scheduled departure and prices are subject to change.
Return tickets are available at the same cost as two one-way tickets. However, they may be worth purchasing, as it is recommended to book vehicle tickets to ensure your spot on the ferry.
Bike Prices
Those travelling with a scooter or bicycle need to pay for a passenger ticket, as well as the appropriate following fee:
- Bicycle: ST$10
- Scooter/Motorbike: ST$30
Tickets for bikes must be purchased from the vehicle ticket office at the wharf.
VIP/Business Class Prices
To have priority boarding and access to the VIP Lounge with included snacks, drinks and more, the approximate prices are as follows:
- Adult passenger: ST$20
- Child passenger: ST$40
Note that these fares also apply to drivers who want to use the VIP Lounge and that prices are subject to change.
Penalties
A penalty fee applies if you miss your scheduled ferry sailing, if you change your sailing dates, or if the type of vehicle you have booked is the incorrect type. The approximate penalties are as follows:
- Cat A vehicle (10-12 ft): ST$24
- Cat B vehicle (12-15 ft): ST$29
- Cat C vehicle (15-18 ft): ST$30.
© SamoaPocketGuide.comFerry Prices Between Upolu and Manono, Apolima, Namu’a, etc.
It is also possible to catch a boat to some of Samoa’s other islands, such as Manono and Apolima between Upolu and Savai’i, as well as to the uninhabited island of Namu’a.
Boat transport costs are less standardised and are charged at the discretion of the boat operator.
- Upolu – Manono (one-way, shared): ST$5-$20
- Upolu – Manono (one-way, charter): ST$50-$100
- Upolu – Apolima (return, shared): ST$50-$70
- Upolu – Apolima (return, charter): ST$300-$500
- Upolu – Namu’a (return): ST$50-$60
Getting to some of the other islands off Upolu, like the Aleipata Islands, Nu’usaafe’e and Nu’ulopa, requires a boat or kayak tour.
© SamoaPocketGuide.comFerry Prices to American Samoa
Finally, it is also possible to take the ferry between Samoa and the neighbouring country of American Samoa. There is a sailing back and forth once a week, leaving the Apia Harbour on a Thursday and returning from Pago Pago back in Apia by Saturday morning. The sailing one-way takes approximately 8-10 hours.
Foot Passenger Prices to American Samoa
If purchasing tickets in Samoa, the approximate ferry prices to American Samoa are as follows:
- Adult passenger: ST$90 one way / ST$120 return
- Child (2-12 years) passenger: ST$55 one way / ST$75 return
- Infant: ST$25 one way / ST$35 return
Foot Passenger Prices to Samoa
If purchasing tickets in American Samoa, the approximate ferry prices to Samoa are as follows:
- Adult passenger: US$50 one way / US$65 return
- Child (2-12 years) passenger: US$30 one way / US$40 return
- Infant: US$15 one way / US$20 return.
More About Ferries and Costs in Samoa
That’s it for our complete guide to the cost of the ferry in Samoa. For more tips on travelling and transport around Samoa, take a look at the following guides:
- How to Take a Ferry to Savai’i
- Samoa Travel Budget: How Much Does a Trip to Samoa Cost?
- Getting Here: How to Get to Samoa
Finally, if there’s anything we’ve missed, you’re likely to find it in our Samoa Transport Guide: 10 Best Ways to Get Around Samoa.
Sources:
The information in this guide has been compiled from our extensive research, travel and experiences across Samoa and the South Pacific, accumulated over more than a decade of numerous visits to each destination. Additional sources for this guide include the following:
- Samoa Tourism Authority (General travel advice - Updated [2024])
- Samoa Tourism Authority Corporate (Tourism news - Updated [2024])
- Land Transport Authority (Tourist driver’s license info - Updated [2024])
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Visa and immigration advice - Updated [2024])
- Ministry of Customs & Revenue (Border restrictions advice - Updated [2024])
- Ministry of Agriculture & Fisheries (Biosecurity advice - Updated [2024])
- Samoa Meteorological Division (Weather forecast and warnings - Updated [2024])
- Samoa Bureau of Statistics (Statistics and travel data - Updated [2024])
- SPTO (Pacific tourism advice - Updated [2024])
- Samoa Hotels Association (Tourism trade association - Updated [2024])
- Safe Travel (New Zealand travel advisory for Samoa - Updated [2024])
- Smart Traveller (Australia travel advisory for Samoa - Updated [2024])
- Travel.State.Gov (U.S. travel advisory for Samoa - Updated [2024])
Our editorial standards: At Samoa Pocket Guide, we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure accurate and quality content.
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