Transport in Tuvalu

Tuvalu has an established but fragmented transport system. The Ministry of Transport, Energy, Communication and Innovation, local councils or Kaupule, Vehicle Licensing Officers and the Police share responsibilities for transport policy, licensing and enforcement. There is no documented nationwide bus network. On Funafuti, taxis and motorcycles are the main motorised local options, and short journeys are often made on foot or by bicycle. Sea transport is the practical backbone between Funafuti and the outer islands. Government passenger and cargo ships, workboats and ferry services connect Funafuti with outer islands and, in some cases, Suva. Schedules can change, so the departure time should be confirmed locally. A sea journey can take up to about 24 hours depending on the service, weather and destination. Transfers from a ship to land can be difficult or unsafe when landing facilities are limited. New or improved workboat harbours are being developed at Niutao, Nui and Nukulaelae, while boat ramps are planned or available at Nanumaga and Niutao. Funafuti has Tuvalu's international airport. Fiji Airways and Fiji Link operate about three flights per week between Suva and Funafuti, with a flight time of about two and a half hours. No reliable current domestic airline service is documented; the government has been examining domestic air services. Both flights and ships can become irregular because of weather, distance and limited capacity. Funafuti's main roads are paved, covering about 15.5 kilometres, while roads on most outer islands are largely unpaved. Tuvalu drives on the left. Traffic is generally slow, but pedestrians and animals may share the road, and secondary roads may be unlit at night. These conditions increase collision and visibility risks, especially for motorcycles, bicycles and pedestrians. The Traffic Act 2022 treats a bicycle as a vehicle. Motor vehicles and bicycles need a licence before they are used on a public road. A licence applies within the area of the relevant local government council. Motor vehicle licences are issued annually or half-yearly, bicycle licences last one year, and driving licences can last one, three or five years. The published schedule lists fees of $8 per year for a motorcycle, $12 for a private motor vehicle and $0.50 for a bicycle. A driving licence application, including the test, costs $2; renewal or a duplicate costs $1. Current local fees and the currency used for payment should be confirmed before applying. Visitors' foreign driving licences are recognised for up to two weeks after arrival when the Chief of Police is satisfied that the conditions are met. Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is prohibited, and a blood-alcohol level above 0.08% is a criminal offence. The Police can issue a defect warning or notice and require repairs and a follow-up inspection. Walking and cycling are useful for short local trips, but no sufficient dedicated walking or cycling network is documented. Tuvalu's Transport Action Plan supports electric vehicles, shore-side electricity and bicycles or e-bikes, with a target of shifting at least 50% of short urban journeys to these modes by 2030. A non-motorised transport feasibility study is also planned. Transport is exposed to king tides, sea-level rise, storm surges, erosion and saltwater intrusion. These hazards can damage roads, ports and the runway. Road maintenance, more frequent resealing and local raising of roads by about 30 to 40 centimetres are used as resilience measures. Funafuti's 1,525-metre runway was renewed in 2025 with porous asphalt and geogrid. Road transport produced 4.09 kilotonnes of CO2e in 2023, equal to 16% of Tuvalu's total greenhouse-gas emissions, while maritime transport produced 11% of energy-sector greenhouse-gas emissions. Fossil fuels still dominate transport. Travellers should plan for cash in Australian dollars because travel guidance reports that ATMs and card payment may not be available.