Depending upon your itinerary, you may have some time to kill before boarding your international return flight. Since you don’t want to spend your last hours in French Polynesia wandering the airport, we have suggested ideas of where you can go and what you can do during your layover.
There are several activities, dining options or resort “day rooms” that your Concierge can arrange for you in advance. Pre-arranging something for your final day will help you make the most of your trip and allow for a more relaxed final day.
Please review these options in My Extras and let us know if you would like to book anything in advance.
Here are some other thoughts to keep in mind:
Luggage Storage:
Your Concierge can pre-arrange for your luggage to be stored to give you more freedom and flexibility on your final day on the Island of Tahiti. Please contact your Concierge to arrange this service or click here for more information.
Transportation:
Buses or “le trucks” run all day long Monday through Friday at least every 30 minutes from 6:00am to 6:00pm. The service on Saturdays is a bit unpredictable, and it does not operate on Sundays. The bus stop is across the parking lot from the airport, up the stairs to the main road. As you walk out of the front of the airport and up to the main road, the Le Trucks heading to your left (as you face the road from the front of the airport) will go downtown and Le Trucks heading to your right will go toward the Tahiti InterContinental.
The taxi lane is right outside the terminal. We do recommend taxis for transportation as it is the easiest and quickest way to go from one point to another. We’d estimate the cost of a taxi will run from $25 to $50 USD.
Business Hours:
Shops in Papeete are typically open Monday thru Friday 7:30am to 11:30am and from 1:30pm to 5:00pm and on Saturdays from 7:30am to 11:30am. Some shops are also open afternoons.
Nearly all local businesses are closed on Sunday, including many restaurants. However, the Papeete market is open and very busy from 5:00am until 9:00am on Sunday morning.
Postal and Telecommunication Services:
Papeete’s Central Post Office is open weekdays from 7:00am to 6:00pm and on Saturdays from 8:00am to 11:00am. It is located near the yacht wharf and Bougainville Park and you may buy stamps and send your postcards from there. There are many international card-operated phone booths throughout the city.
NEAR THE AIRPORT
Le Lotus: French cuisine with a pinch of Polynesian panache.
LOCATED: at Intercontinental Resort Tahiti, a 5 minute drive from the airport.
OPEN: daily for lunch (12:30pm - 2:30am) & dinner (6:30pm - 9:30pm)
NEAR THE YACHT MARINA (on the West Coast of Tahiti)
La Casa Bianca: Italian Trattoria style restaurant with a warm family atmosphere. Enjoy craft beers and lovely views from their “Dinghy Dock” Lounge with outdoor terrace. Live music in the bar on Fridays and Saturdays. Happy Hour daily from 5pm to 6pm.
LOCATED: 15-minute drive from the airport
OPEN: Every day from 11:30pm to 12am
Pink Coconut: The cuisine here is French, with a inventive twist. Lovely views from the outdoor terrace with views of the marina. Nice bar and live music certain nights.
LOCATED: 15 minute drive from the airport
OPEN: Daily Tuesday through Sunday from 10am to 12am, Brunch on Sundays at 7:30am
DOWNTOWN
Les 3 Brasseurs: Traditional French and classic international dishes. Brewery where you can enjoy their fresh draft beer – lively and busy on the weekends.
LOCATED: in downtown Papeete, opposite the ferry dock
OPEN: Serving dinner until 11:00pm and the bar is open until 12:30am
Roulottes are Tahitian food trucks! Each one serves a different fare with flare. Les Roulottes, popular among locals and visitors, are casual and economical places to dine. A wide variety of options available on Friday and Saturday evenings by the waterfront.
Don't forget to try the local favorite called Poisson Cru or "raw fish" – it’s a delightful coconut, cucumber, citrus and fresh tuna salad!
No wine or beer served – only water and soft drinks. There are a few bars across the street if you want to enjoy a drink before or after dinner.
Credit Cards are not widely accepted so we recommend bringing local cash
LOCATED: on the Papeete waterfront, starting at sunset
OPEN: Daily from 6pm to 2am (wider range of options on Friday and Saturday)
DON’T FORGET! Check-in for departing international flights opens 3 hours before flight time
Click Here to send an email to the Concierge Team with any questions you may have.
For Immediate Assistance from Monday - Friday from 8am to 6pm Eastern Time, feel free to call 1-800-839-7891 and ask for a Concierge.
For Emergencies or Assistance While Traveling, please refer to the procedures and contact information on your My Trips page or Online Itinerary.
