Olympics Got You Wanting to Go to Tahiti? What to Know
If you’re like me, you’ve been watching the 2024 Paris Olympics and marveling at all of the talent. I’m also in awe of the surfers. Watching the surfing competition in Tahiti makes me want to go to Tahiti, so I decided to do some research into what it takes to get there and what to know before you go. The area looks absolutely stunning and like a paradise.
What to Know if You Want to Go to Tahiti
Tahiti, part of French Polynesia, is to the south of Hawaii, located between California and Australia. It’s also in the same time zone as Hawaii. “The destination also known as The Islands of Tahiti is spread over a surface as big as Europe and consists of 118 islands, of which 76 are inhabited,” according to Tahititourisme.com. They add that the Islands of Tahiti consist of the Society Islands, the Tuamotu Islands, the Gambier Islands, the Marquesas Islands and the Austral Islands.
So, how do you get to Tahiti? It’s not close to the U.S. If you look at Tahiti on a map, it literally looks like it’s in the middle of the ocean. That makes me want to go even more. But, a good number of airlines fly to French Polynesia from various major cities, including Los Angeles, Paris, Seattle, San Francisco, Honolulu, Tokyo, Auchland and Rarotonga. International flights that come into French Polynesia land at Tahiti-Faa’a International Airport (PPT). The area also has two domestic airlines: Air Tahiti and Air Moana.’
How long it takes to get to Tahiti obviously depends on from where you’re traveling. For example, from Seattle, it’s 10 hours to Papeete, but from Paris, it’s 22 hours. I looked at how far is it from Detroit, and it’s about 16 hours. It must be so long because it involves multiple flights. Once you’re there, “you can get a taxi to your accommodations from Tahiti-Faa’a International Airport, or you can arrange to be collected on arrival with your travel agent or accommodations.” If you want to go to the other islands, you’ll have to snag a domestic flight. As for where to stay, many people opt to enjoy the French Polynesian resorts, which Reneeroaming.com says “usually have everything a visitor would need including restaurants, tour options, a pool, shuttles to/from the airport, etc. In fact, a great place to look for a resort is TripAdvisor as you will be able to see reviews, prices, availability, etc.”
Remember that you have to get a passport to go to Tahiti, since it’s part of French Polynesia. If you have any tips on how to go to Tahiti, please contact me and let me know. It’s on my bucket-list of places to visit one day.
Secret Tips to Save Money on Your Next Vacation
1. Try to Negotiate Your Lodging
Did you know that hotel fees can be negotiable? Fidelity.com points out that, “You may be able to negotiate the online price by calling a hotel directly, or asking if they have any discounts for students, government employees, or members of certain groups, such as AAA.” So, don’t settle for that price you see on your laptop. Try to do better. It’s a secret tip that can pay off bigtime.
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2. Get Smart with Your Lodging
Did you know some hotels that are virtually the same, including the same brand, can be cheaper just a few miles apart? As a general rule, hotels that are near the airport are more expensive. So, you can look at the hotels you want to stay at and their multiple locations in the area for the best rate. “Some hotels that are under construction may rent rooms at a discount, which is a great option if you can deal with the noise,” Fidelity.com points out.
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3. Snack Your Way to a Cheaper Trip
Going out to eat on vacation can be one of the most exciting things about the trip. But, if you want to save on cash, skip a few meals out and opt for healthy, hearty snacks. Pack (or buy at a local store) some protein-rich snacks, like protein bars and meal bars, and limit your dining out. You can still enjoy some of the best food the area has to offer, just not as much of it. This is a way to stay fit on your trip, too. A lot of people don’t think of this tip, so it’s a bit of a secret.
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4. Timing is Everything
You’ve heard it so many times in life: Timing is everything. That’s true for travel, too. Research to find the least-busy times to visit your destination. If you travel during those downtimes, you’ll save big. While this is a common tip, something people forget is that every vacation destination has its own peak time. So, be specific for your travel spot.
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5. Travel with a Friend
If you’re thinking of traveling solo to a place you’ve always wanted to visit, go cheaper by traveling with a friend. You two can share lodging fees. Also, sometimes there are more deals and discounts for those traveling with multiple people. I always do this when going to a big music festival, if it’s far away. I’ll usually meet my friend there, and we share lodging costs. It also makes the trip more fun.
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6. Find Free Spots to Travel
Look for some free attractions in your travel area. Chances are, they won’t be as packed as the big-named places, too. You can still visit some of the popular landmarks. But, if you add a trip to a national park or free museum to your itinerary, it will save you some cash.
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7. Max Out Your Memberships
Are you a member of any random groups? You might have travel deals just waiting for you. Check everything, from your college alumni membership to your credit cards, for travel discounts. You may be surprised what you find.
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8. Don't Get Picky
Say you just want to get out on a fantastic trip, but you don’t really have a place in mind. That’s actually a good thing. Take an hour to look at flight specials happening right now. If you aren’t picky on where to travel, chances are you’ll find a great rate on airfare and lodging somewhere. Once you find the most reasonable place to travel, then you can start looking at what to do when you’re there.
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9. Go Popular
This is a bit ironic, but often times, the most popular tourist destinations are also the cheapest. That’s because there is a lot of competition for all those travelers. So, big-named destinations like Orlando, Florida, or Las Vegas, Nevada, tend to have really good travel deals. Go popular, or go home.
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