We love exploring the islands of the Pacific, and so do you. A long-time Beat of Hawaii favorite, other than Hawaii, is the islands of French Polynesia. Hawaii’s sister in many ways, Tahiti, is five air hours from Hawaii, in the same time zone. Like Hawaii, it is beautiful, fascinating, and, above all, exotic. Tahiti is also 8.5 to 9 air hours southwest of California. It is French-speaking, which is part of its charm. But English-speaking visitors will have few problems while staying on the beaten path.
No longer just ultra-expensive, Tahiti wants to take you away from Hawaii. Will you follow?
Last year was the first time we saw Tahiti drop in price from the US Mainland, and today it has gone to a new low. But not only are the airfares cheap. You can also avail yourself of very reasonably priced accommodations and car rentals.
If you want to add to your Hawaii islands experiences, or are ready to try something new to compare, here’s a great option to consider. Tahiti is on sale today from LAX and SFO!
These islands have unequaled lagoons surrounding them, teaming with amazing sea life. That is unlike Hawaii, which is far more exposed to the open ocean. So get ready for superior snorkeling and scuba diving.
Flights to Tahiti are on sale from $249.
Airfares to Tahiti have always been costly. What’s changed is the arrival of French Bee Airlines, which flies to Papeete from San Francisco. It’s creating a competitive stir with Delta/Air France, which flies from Los Angeles. As a result, you can, for the time being, visit Tahiti for much less money than usual.
Los Angeles to Papeete is $249 each way on Delta Airlines/Air France, based on round-trip.
Available from through February. Many departures but not all days or flights.
San Francisco to Papeete is from $270 each way on French Bee Airlines, based on round-trip.
Available from January through May. Many departures but not all days or flights. Start using Google Flights to find the cheapest fares, which range from $270 to $296.
Flights from Hawaii to Tahiti start at $500 each way.
Hawaiian Airlines flies weekly between Honolulu and Papeete, and the only way to get between Hawaii and Tahiti. The least expensive round trip is about $1,000 for the 2,731-mile jaunt. In comparison, that is roughly the same distance as flying from California to Hawaii, which you can regularly purchase for as little as $198 roundtrip. Contrast that distance and cost with flying from Los Angeles to Papeete, a distance of some 4,095 miles.
This is a great example of airline competition in action.
The cost to fly from LAX to Tahiti is under 7 cents per mile, while the price from Honolulu to Tahiti is about 20 cents per mile. The only difference is competition.
Reasonable Tahiti accommodation and car rental prices.
We checked for Moorea, just as an example, and found some great, well-rated accommodations fronting the lagoon for as little as $200 per night in January. We were stunned. We also found Hertz economy car rentals in Tahiti for just $200 a week total.
Tahiti – places to go.
Papeete is the country’s business hub and where international flights arrive. It also has resorts, shopping, and great dining.
Moorea is just 10 minutes from Papeete by plane or 30 minutes by boat. Papeete’s bedroom community is close yet a world apart.
Bora Bora. pictured above, is perhaps the most famous of all the islands that make up French Polynesia. It has seen massive development and tourism but remains beautiful and features an incredible lagoon teaming with fish and rays.
Huahine is an editor’s favorite in French Polynesia. It is a secret hideaway to this day, being quieter than Moorea or Bora Bora. We’ve been there, which is like returning to a Kauai from years ago.
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Thank you for bringing this up comparison up, appreciated! I would love to give Tahiti a visit again. Lovely people and just so interesting and more private. There is something intriguing about that place!
Even though I’ve lived in Honolulu and own property in the islands, I’m not sure about returning truthfully. The policies that have been in place the last couple years are not friendly for my taste. Time for me to explore more new lands with friends in exotic places.
Thanks
Why is the RT airfare from Hawaii to Tahiti $1K vs $249 from LA and SFO?
Two things we would consider would be flight time (Seattle) and overall cost. I think that Tahiti being less than what we spend now In Hawaii might make it a new destination. Would look into it.
I love Hawaii. Its my home state but its so mismanaged on so many levels by politicians with empty promises. Exorbitant prices and fees are gut wrenching. I enjoyed visiting Fiji and Tahiti last year. I feel so welcomed bybthe locals and my accomodation and food are within my budget plus a little shopping. I tipped the lady cleaning my
bedroom and she was almost teary eyed with gratitude. She gave me tagimoucia flower hair pin as a small gift for my appreciation to her efforts. I cant forget that experience. This year im off to santorini in the Aegean sea. I got a good deal and I can’t wait.
We switched to Tahiti last year and had a wonderful time. It’s no Hawaii, especially in January, but it’s beautiful all it’s own. The wide variety and sheer number of islands makes it a destination that can be explored for years without running out of places to go. This year we went to Rangiroa, and it was fabulous!
Happy New Year, Guys! 🙂
Thank you for the tips! We love Hawaii, but needed a break. Visiting Costa Rica in February and heading to Bora Bora and Taha’a in May 🙂 Costco offers some great packages to French Polynesia with breakfast and dinner included. We booked our airfare separately, and found an insanely great price on United Polaris out of SFO. Looking forward to checking out French Bee Airlines.
I’ve been going to Hawaii once a year for 20 years. Usually Waikiki, but every other year or so we change up and hit Maui. One year I was lucky enough to go 2 times in 1 year, so Waikiki and Kauai that time. Kona a couple of times (not a fan of Vog!) But my childhood dream was to go to Bora Bora. I finally made it there Dec 2021. It was hands down the Best vacation I ever had. I’ve been to Australia and East Africa and those were awesome. But Bora Bora was a Real Vacation. I was pampered, treated like royalty and everyone was so happy to have us. We also felt like we had the whole resort to ourselves. In contrast to the last Waikiki visit that was overpriced and overcrowded. My sights are set on French Polynesia again and again.
Made my first trip to French Polynesia last February and truly enjoyed my time there! Very beautiful, locals were very friendly, and accommodations were beyond belief! Am already planning another visit there and may be quite a while until I go back to Hawaii!
Humm… haven’t been there… .but it might be nice to go to a beautiful place, with friendly people….but lacking in the vocal set of angry, resentful residents who really don’t want tourists/’others’ at all. This concept of ‘aloha’ may very well exist in lots of places, maybe with other names. In fact I’m very sure of it having lived in other places in the world in my life…..most people are friendly and nice in my experience.
The need for a passport, and the longer and a bit higher airfare are negatives, but the overall prices, and presumed more uniform welcome for tourists/vacationers may make up for that big time….
The dynamics of the market place could very well take effect.
Please correct my impressions if wrong.
Yes. Done and Booked. Going to Japan in May, stopping in Hawaii to use the restroom. I’m Hawaiian, and I’m done.