How much does a trip to French Polynesia really cost? A realistic budget
French Polynesia has a reputation for overwater bungalows and honeymoon prices. That is only one side of it. Thousands of travellers stay in family guesthouses, eat at roulottes and spend their days on public beaches. This guide breaks down what a trip really costs, so you can decide where to save.
Prices in this article are indicative ranges to help you plan. They change with the season and the provider, so always check current rates directly before you book. The Pacific franc (XPF) is pegged to the euro at roughly 119 XPF for 1 €.
The five costs that make up your trip
- International flight: by far the biggest item, usually well above everything you will spend on the islands in a week. Book early, be flexible on dates, and compare airlines that fly to Tahiti Faa’a airport.
- Inter-island transport: a short ferry for Tahiti–Moorea, or domestic flights for the other islands. This is where many budgets break, so plan it carefully (see our guide to getting around on a budget).
- Accommodation: resorts cost several times more than a family guesthouse. See our family guesthouses and budget hotels.
- Food: restaurants in hotels are expensive, roulottes and snacks are not. Browse roulottes and snacks.
- Activities: many of the best things are free: beaches, viewpoints, waterfalls, markets. See free and cheap things to do.
Typical daily costs on the ground
These are orders of magnitude for one person, excluding international flights. Your own numbers will vary.
- Camping or very basic lodging: often a few thousand XPF per night.
- Family guesthouse: often roughly 8,000 to 20,000 XPF per night for a double room, sometimes with breakfast included. Sharing a room divides the cost.
- Meals: a main dish at a roulotte or snack is often in the 1,200 to 2,000 XPF range. A picnic from a supermarket or a corner shop costs less still.
- Ferry Tahiti–Moorea: around 1,000 to 1,500 XPF each way per adult on the main operators, a crossing of about 30 minutes.
- Getting around an island: a bicycle or scooter is usually cheaper per day than a car.
Two sample budgets
The strict budget: camping or shared lodging, picnic breakfasts and lunches, one roulotte dinner a day, public beaches, and only one or two paid activities for the whole stay.
The smart budget: a family guesthouse with breakfast, roulottes for dinner, a shared lagoon excursion, and a scooter or bike for a couple of days. Still a fraction of a resort stay.
Where people overspend
- Booking too many islands in a short stay. Each move costs money and half a day.
- Eating every meal in a hotel restaurant.
- Buying every excursion in advance from a big operator when local boats and guesthouses often offer similar trips for less.
- Forgetting that groceries and drinks are expensive on remote islands, so ask your guesthouse what is included.
The simplest way to start
Pick your islands first, then browse listings island by island: Tahiti, Moorea, Huahine and Bora Bora all have budget-friendly options. Then check the real price directly with each host.