Oceania > 🇼🇫Wallis and Futuna
Should You Hire a Car in Wallis and Futuna? This can be broken down into two similar questions - do you need a car in Wallis and Futuna (in other words, will your holiday be ruined without one), and is it worth hiring a car in Wallis and Futuna - i.e. is a car better value than using public transport? We'll weigh up both questions and give you a response generated by Chat GPT, together with our own curated opinion before finally giving a yes or no verdict at the end.
As soon as you ask should you rent a car in Wallis and Futuna, you realise the territory is tiny, remote, and wonderfully traditional. Public transport is practically non-existent, and taxis are limited, so a rental car can make the islands easier to explore. However, because of the territory’s size, many travellers decide they don’t need one at all — especially if they’re staying close to their accommodation and mainly want lagoon views and gentle walks. 🚗🌺
Getting Around Wallis (Uvea) 🚐🌴
Wallis is the larger and more populated island. Most visitors stay here, as this is where the airport, hotels and shops sit. The island has a ring road and a handful of cross-island routes. Driving is simple, traffic is light, and distances are short.
A rental car gives you the freedom to reach:
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The crater lakes
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Traditional villages
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Small coastal churches
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Hidden lagoon viewpoints
Without a car, you’ll rely on your hotel organising lifts or on very occasional local taxis.
Getting Around Futuna 🚙⛰️
Futuna is even quieter. Accommodation is limited, and roads are basic but passable. Car hire is harder to find, so many travellers either walk, arrange local lifts, or let their host organise day transport.
You don’t need a car to see Futuna — the island is small — but you’ll move around more easily if you have one arranged.
Buses, Taxis and Walking 🚶♀️🌺
There are no public buses on either island, and taxis do not operate as a structured service. Walking is pleasant but hot, and villages can be several kilometres apart. Consequently, relying entirely on your feet isn’t ideal unless you plan a very slow, very local trip.
Inter-Island Travel 🛩️🌊
A small domestic flight connects Wallis and Futuna. There is no passenger ferry between the two. If you want to see both islands, flying is the only practical option, whether or not you rent a car.
Summary — Should You Rent a Car in Wallis & Futuna? 🌞🚗
Yes — if you want independence and plan to explore crater lakes, villages and viewpoints at your own pace. A car makes life easier and avoids transport stress.
No — if you’re staying near your accommodation, focusing on rest, snorkelling and short walks. The islands are tiny, and you can enjoy them perfectly well without wheels.
Either way, the pace here is slow, the landscapes are peaceful, and the experience feels delightfully far from the modern world. 🌺✨
