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Papeete car hire

Driver's age: 26-65
Fri 3/5
Fri 10/5

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Papeete car hire information

Pick-up locationPapeete
Car types
Hire locations7
Airport locations5

Cheap car hire in Papeete

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Mini
Economy
Compact
Intermediate
Standard
Full-size
Luxury
People carrier
Passenger van
SUV
Commercial
Pick-up truck

KAYAK’s top tips for hiring a car in Papeete

  • Papeete car hire is the easiest way to get around the area, as public transport options are slim and taking taxis constantly can add up and take valuable time out of your travels. There is plenty to see and do in Papeete that having car hire will enable you to get to. The coastlines contain a lot of hidden gems, and the mountains and waterfalls are definitely worth the drive to see.
  • Sorting out your car hire in Papeete is easy at Faa'a International Airport (PPT), also known as Tahiti International Airport. As soon as you reach the arrivals area, you will see signs directing you to the hire car offices in Terminal 1. Be sure to bring your driver’s licence, credit card in your name and confirmation of your booking. A second driver can be nominated for your car hire in Papeete, and they will need to provide their driver’s licence as well.
  • Driving your car hire in Papeete is fairly straightforward. While you’re in the main area, there can be a bit of traffic, but there’s not much to watch out for. Once out of Papeete and driving in quieter areas, take it slow; pedestrians in more remote areas are not used to a lot of traffic, and stray dogs and wildlife tend to wander on the road. Locals can also do the opposite here, and they can overtake in some scary circumstances at times.
  • While the majority of French Polynesia has quiet roads, Papeete is the capital and has all the congestion as the arrival and exit point for tourism and travel. Vehicles, motorbikes and scooters are all trying to navigate a relatively small area, and it can get quite pushy and backed up, so allow a little time for traffic while still in the city.
  • Book your car hire in Papeete at least 1 day before your trip in order to get a below-average price
  • Mini car hire in Papeete are around 40% cheaper than other car types, on average

Papeete car hire experiences: the best tips from KAYAK users

Insights shared by verified travellers who hired a car in Papeete 
Verified travelerMar 2024
Be quiet! It is a very good and easy going option to rent a car! Korrekt!
Verified travelerJan 2024
Small cars are best. Roads, parking, everything is tight. Lots of roundabouts on Tahiti particularly near Papeete. There are a lot of people riding motorcycles so it’s kind of mayhem but people are courteous. Take it slow and you won’t have any trouble.
Verified travelerJan 2024
The island takes about three hours to drive around its one and only highway. There is little reason for a car unless one plans to spend a lot of time at a beach.
Verified travelerNov 2023
Stay with a small car. Streets can be narrow and parking spots tight. Also you share the road with numerous motorcycles and scooters.
Verified travelerOct 2023
Don’t miss your turn
Verified travelerJul 2023
Go to one of the local companies like Tahiti Rent, they’re friendly, relaxed, great communication and fantastic value for money. Definitely recommend renting a car in Tahiti to maximise your trip
AndreaJul 2023
Driving in Papeete is easy once you figure out the two lane round abouts.
RobJul 2023
Signage could be better. Where there are signs, sometimes they are small and so plentiful you can’t read them all. Other than that, driving wasn’t too bad. Lots of roundabouts. If you plan on exploring at all, get a 4x4 or something that is at least somewhat rugged.
Verified travelerJul 2023
For international travelers, set out additional times for returning the vehicle.

FAQs about hiring a car in Papeete

  • What type of car is recommended for driving in Papeete?

    Assuming you’re travelling to French Polynesia to explore the wild wilderness it has to offer, you would be best to go with an SUV or 4WD for your car hire in Papeete. The interior mountains of Tahiti can only be accessed by 4WD or private tour, so selecting a compact or economy vehicle is really going to limit some of the options for your adventures. You will definitely want to ensure your car hire in Papeete has air conditioning, to keep you comfortable on your adventures, and a navigation system will be a bonus to ease your travels.

  • What’s the speed limit in Papeete?

    The speed limit in Papeete is generally 40 km/h until you reach the open road. Most towns and villages, or simply the built-up areas, have the same limit of 40 km/h. Usually you will find the speed limit is 80 km/h on the open roads, but there is some random variation between these speeds in some areas, so be sure to pay close attention to signs.

  • Where are the best places to park in Papeete?

    Parking in Papeete can be tricky, as the city was never really designed for traffic but now has plenty. There are a few paid public car parks in the city, with a rate for the day between F 750 and 850 (A$ 9.90 and 11.20) or around F 100 (A$ 1.32) for the first hour. It is ideal to find accommodation in Papeete that includes free secure parking and explore the city by bike or on foot. Once you head out of the city and into the wilderness of French Polynesia, you will have no problems with parking.

  • What is the most popular car hire in Papeete?

    Mini (Peugeot 108 or similar) is the most frequently booked car hire type in Papeete.

  • How can I find car hires near me in Papeete?

    Take a look at our extensive car hire location map to find the best car hire deals near you.

  • How much does a Mini car hire cost in Papeete?

    A Mini car hire in Papeete costs €37 per day, on average.

  • How much does a Compact car hire cost in Papeete?

    A Compact car hire in Papeete costs €83 per day, on average.

  • How much does an Economy car hire cost in Papeete?

    An Economy car hire in Papeete costs €49 per day, on average.

Papeete car rental reviews and directory

Hertz

7.0

Best rated

Cleanliness

8.1

Comfort

7.4

Pick-up/Drop-off

6.8

Value for money

6.3

2 locations in Papeete

Show locations

Locations in Papeete

Faaa Intl Airport

+689 40 43 04 30

Monday00:00 - 03:0005:00 - 23:59
Tuesday06:00 - 22:00
Wednesday00:00 - 03:0005:00 - 23:59
Thursday05:00 - 23:5900:00 - 03:00
Friday05:00 - 23:59
Saturday05:00 - 23:5900:00 - 03:00
Sunday05:00 - 23:5900:00 - 03:00

Route De Ceinture Tipaerui

+689 40 43 04 30

Monday13:30 - 17:0007:30 - 12:00
Tuesday13:30 - 17:0007:30 - 12:00
Wednesday13:30 - 17:0007:30 - 12:00
Thursday13:30 - 17:0007:30 - 12:00
Friday13:30 - 17:0007:30 - 12:00

Filters

Reviews

4.0 Mediocre

Apr 2024

KAYAK
The car was small, but adequate, and ran without any problems. The problems were that the rental counter was understaffed and incredibly slow. There were 5 people in line when I arrived at the counter, and it took 2 hours to get a car which I had reserved online. Despite having an online reservation, I had to fill out all of my information on paper when I arrived. The staff had to go out to each car multiple times to check things on the car instead of having parking lot staff inspect the cars and communicate with the office staff electronically. The staff were friendly and appoligetic for the long waits to pick up and drop off the car, but the system which management has implemented is outdated and insufficient for the number of visitors who arrive on a large plane. The mileage fee of about $1 per mile, on top of a high weekly rate seemed exorbident.

10.0 Wonderful

Oct 2022

KAYAK
Easy to pick up at the airport. Staff were very helpful. Spoke English. Had a problem getting into the gate when returning. My guy came out and talked w the responder in French and fixed it

6.0 Okay

Dec 2021

KAYAK
I was charged 59xpf per kilometer. My booking said 52xpf. Will follow up.

4.0 Mediocre

Dec 2021

KAYAK
I was charged 59 Xpf per kilometer instead of 52Xpf as the original booking said. I will follow up with Hertz.

8.0 Very Good

May 2021

KAYAK

Cons:

Somehow I didn’t realize I ordered a car that changed for every kilometer until I was very tired, out of time and just trying to get to my destination before dark. It ended up being about 60 USD daily on average so not too horrible. I was fortunate in that the car I’d ordered wasn’t ready (I’d gotten an earlier flight) so she graciously offered me an upgrade. On another note, the car is clearly a rental so, not sure if it was the typical island drivers or what, but I got pushed around a lot. Tailgated, almost run off the road, but I was doing the speed limit so who knows.

10.0 Wonderful

Feb 2021

KAYAK

Pros:

Reserved at one rate, agent found a lower rate that saved me about $20 for a one day rental.

1 out of 15

Avis

8.6

Very Good

5 reviews

Cleanliness

9.0

Comfort

8.0

Pick-up/Drop-off

8.5

Value for money

8.0

2 locations in Papeete

Show locations

Locations in Papeete

56 Rue Des Remparts

+689 40 54 10 10

Monday07:30 - 12:00
Tuesday07:30 - 12:00
Wednesday07:30 - 12:00
Thursday07:30 - 12:00
Friday07:30 - 12:00
Saturday07:30 - 12:00

Terminal Building

+689 40 85 02 84

Monday05:00 - 23:59
Tuesday05:00 - 23:59
Wednesday05:00 - 23:59
Thursday05:00 - 23:59
Friday05:00 - 23:59
Saturday05:00 - 23:59
Sunday05:00 - 23:59

Filters

Reviews

6.4 Okay

Jan 2020

KAYAK

Pros:

Convenient location.

Cons:

Expensive, poorly lit pickup lot. Unfriendly staff. Charges for damage not caused by me.

1 out of 1

Europcar

8.0

Very Good

2 reviews

Cleanliness

8.5

Comfort

7.5

Pick-up/Drop-off

8.0

Value for money

7.5

One location in Papeete

Show locations

Locations in Papeete

Papeete Faa'a Intl Airport (tahiti)

+689 40 86 61 96

Monday05:00 - 23:59
Tuesday05:00 - 23:59
Wednesday05:00 - 23:59
Thursday05:00 - 23:59
Friday05:00 - 23:59
Saturday05:00 - 23:59
Sunday05:00 - 23:59

Filters

No reviews available

Thrifty

3.0

Poor

No reviews available

One location in Papeete

Show locations

Locations in Papeete

Faaa Intl Airport

+689 40 43 04 30

Monday00:00 - 03:0005:00 - 23:59
Tuesday06:00 - 22:00
Wednesday05:00 - 23:5900:00 - 03:00
Thursday00:00 - 03:0005:00 - 23:59
Friday05:00 - 23:59
Saturday05:00 - 23:5900:00 - 03:00
Sunday00:00 - 03:0005:00 - 23:59

Filters

No reviews available

keddy by Europcar

6.2

Okay

No reviews available

2 locations in Papeete

Show locations

Locations in Papeete

Meet And Greet- Customers Are Met At Arrival Hall

Opening times not available

Papeete Faa'A Intl Airport (Tahiti)

Opening times not available

Filters

No reviews available

Shouqi

No score available yet

One location in Papeete

Show locations

Locations in Papeete

Papeete Faa'a Intl Airport (tahiti)

+86 10 6064 1387

Opening times not available

Filters

No reviews available

64 travellers who hired a car in Papeete gave the car agency they used an average rating of 6.5

Car hire locations in or near Papeete

Good to know

Most popular car type

Mini

When to book a car hire in Papeete

Average daily price per month
Car hire prices as pick-up date approaches

Car hire insurance in Papeete

Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) & Theft Protection Waiver

Some Papeete car providers already include Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) and Theft Protection Waiver into the hire price but not all of them. We recommend always be aware of your coverage when hiring a car in Papeete.

Deductible

Keep in mind that car hire insurances often have a deductible clause, which is the amount you’ll have to pay if something happens during the time of your hire. If you want to avoid unwanted surprises, you should consider adding a no-deductible option to your Papeete car hire.