Planning your Holiday
Frequently Asked Questions about Samoa
- What is the Capital of Samoa? Apia
- Which Airlines Fly to Samoa? Virgin Australia, Air New Zealand, Fiji Airways
- Where is the International Airport? Faleolo on Upolu Island
- What is the currency of Samoa? Samoan Tala
- What Electricity and Electrical Sockets are in Samoa? Same as Australia / NZ
Samoa Tourist Information
Which Airlines Fly to Samoa?
Virgin Samoa (part of Virgin Australia), Air New Zealand and Fiji Airways.
Where is the International Airport?
Faleolo Airport on the main island of Upolu. The airport is 40km west of Apia Town
What is the Weather Like?
The weather in Samoa is intensely tropical with higher temperatures and humidity than Fiji or the Cook islands with typical day time temperatures averaging 33 degrees Celsius in summer and 28 degrees in winter. The high volcanic peaks on both Upolu and Savaii draw in moisture off the ocean and afternoons can often be cloudy even on otherwise clear days with higher rainfall than the lower islands of Tonga or the Cook Islands.
When is Winter? When is Summer?
Winter is from May to October when temperature dip to 28 degrees by day and can get down to 22 degrees at night. Summer, starting in November and ending in April, is hotter and more humid with frequent intense tropical rainfalls in the late afternoons and evenings with a tropical depression or cyclone occurring on average once in a season.
What is the capital of Samoa?
Apia Town, located on a picturesque harbour roughly mid-way along the north coast of Upolu has a population of just under 40,000. The people of Samoa are of Polynesian descent.
What is the currency of Samoa? Are there banks and ATM machines?
Samoa uses dollars and cents with its own currency being called the Samoan Tala. Banks and ATM machines are found in Apia Town (on the main island of Tongatapu) and Salelologa Town (on the island of Savaii) There are money exchange booths and a bank at the international airport. American Samoa uses the US$ and has banks and ATMs in all towns as well as at the international airport.
Can I use my Credit Card?
Visa and Mastercard are accepted by most restaurants and shops in Apia, by the majority of hotels and resorts, although smaller guesthouses and beach fale are unlikely to have the facility for payment. A credit card fee of between 3% to 5% is commonly charged.
What Electricity and Electrical Sockets are in Samoa?
240V - three pin plugs - the same as used in Australia and New Zealand.
What Tourist Information is available in Samoa?
There is a tourist information centre on Beach Road in central Apia which provides free maps and assistance with general travel information.
Should I Tip for Service?
No - tipping is not encouraged in the South Pacific although a gratuity box is often displayed on hotel reception desks with the money either contributing to the staff Christmas Party or to a local community project
What Items should I pack for holiday?
A wide brim hat, sunglasses and suncream are the most essential items.
A good water bottle if you're going to explore.
Airy clothes, preferably cotton with an emphasis on shorts and shirts or t-shirts.
A light jumper is handy to have in winter in case it gets cool.
Reef shoes if exploring the sea or beachcombing.
Small practical gifts like stationary, books, magazines if visiting a village, and perhaps some play items like a rugby ball, soccer ball or netball if you have space, or miniatures if you don't.
Find out more about where to stay in our comprehensive Samoa Accommodation Guide