Taking the bus in Rarotonga is a fun, easy and affordable way to explore this tropical paradise! There’s only one road and two buses that circle the island; one in each direction.
Read on for all the details and everything you need to know to make taking the bus in Rarotonga a great addition to your holiday.
- About Taking the Bus in Rarotonga
- Which Direction?
- Bus Fares
- Rarotonga Bus Schedule
- Clockwise Timetable
- Anti-Clockwise Timetable
- After-Hours & Sundays
- Further Information
Want to know more about Moving to and Living in Rarotonga, Cook Islands? We’ve done it twice! Read all about it.
About Taking the Bus in Rarotonga
Since living in Rarotonga we’ve quickly realised that one of the first questions asked by visitors to the island is about how to get around.
While many residents rely on cars or motorbikes, the Rarotonga Bus is an incredibly simple, affordable, and scenic way for visitors to get around.
Whether you are commuting between temporary accommodations or simply want to explore, “taking the bus” is a quintessential Cook Islands experience.
🚌 Why Take the Bus?
The bus system is more than just transport; it’s a relaxing introduction to island life.
Here is why it’s a great option:
- A New Perspective: Because the buses sit higher than standard cars or motorbikes, you get a much better view of the lagoons, lush mountains, and local villages as you pass by.
- Simple Routes: There are only two main buses: Clockwise and Anti-Clockwise. They circle the entire island on the main coastal road, making it nearly impossible to get lost.
- Ultimate Convenience: You don’t need a designated bus stop to catch a ride. Simply wave the driver down anywhere on the main road, and they will pull over for you.
- Stress-Free Travel: It is an affordable way to move from point A to B without worrying about parking or navigating.
📍 Island Exploration
If you have an hour to spare, we highly recommend jumping on and riding the full circuit. It takes about 50 minutes to circle the entire island, offering a wonderful glimpse into the different vaka (districts) and coastal scenery that makes Rarotonga so special.
Bus Routes: Taking the Bus in Rarotonga
Navigating Rarotonga is straightforward thanks to the island’s simple roading system. The bus service follows the coastline, making it a reliable way to travel between villages.
Which means that the round-Rarotonga bus service runs around the island in both a clockwise and anti-clockwise direction – that’s it!
🛣️ The Island Loop
Rarotonga is encircled by a single main sealed road called Ara Tapu. This 32km loop connects every major district and village on the island, ensuring you are never far from the coast.
- The Main Road (Ara Tapu): This is the primary route for all traffic and the official path for the bus service.
- The Back Road (Ara Te ltu Nui): Parts of the island are also connected by a parallel inland road. While great for a quiet scooter ride or seeing the plantations, keep in mind that the back road does not circle the entire island and is not serviced by the bus.
🚌 How the Rarotonga Bus Routes Work
There are only two directions the bus can go: Clockwise and Anti-Clockwise.
- Departure Point: Both buses originate from the central bus stop at Cook’s Corner in the heart of Avarua.
- The Circuit: The bus follows the 32km Ara Tapu loop, returning to Avarua once the circuit is complete.
Because the island is a circle, if you stay on the bus long enough, you will eventually end up right back where you started!
Bus Fares and Tickets
Bus fares are to be paid in cash. The Cooks’ Island Bus in Rarotonga does not currently accept EFTPOS Transactions.
| Adult One Way | $5 | One Ride |
| Adult Round Trip | $8 | Full ride around the island without disembarking the bus |
| Child Single Ride | $3 | Children aged 3yrs to 12yrs |
| All Day Pass | $20 | Hop on, hop off |
| Adult Concession | $35 | 10 rides |
| Child Concession | $25 | 10 rides |
All fares are in NZD and are a standard price that applies all year.
Clockwise & Anti-Clockwise Bus Schedule
The schedule for the bus in Rarotonga is based on an hourly departure from the Cooks’ Corner Bus Stop in Avaura.
The bus starts with the first departure from town, clockwise at 7:00am Monday to Saturday operating until 4:00pm. The anticlockwise buses depart from town starting at 8:30am and running until the last anticlockwise departure at 4:30pm.
Clockwise Rarotonga Bus
The Clockwise Bus departs Cooks’ Corner on the hour every hour from 7:00am to 5:00pm, Monday to Saturday.
Anti-Clockwise Rarotonga Bus
The Anti-Clockwise Bus departs Cooks’ Corner at half past the hour every hour from 8:30am to 4:30pm, Monday to Friday and from 8:30am to 1:30pm on Saturdays. Note there is NO Anti-Clockwise Bus operating on Sundays.
Clockwise Bus Timetable
The following is the scheduled timetable for the Clockwise Rarotonga Bus:
| Location | Mins Past Hour |
| COOKS’ CORNER – TERMINAL | 0 |
| Club Raro | 5 |
| Kiikii Motel | 6 |
| Matavera Village Traders | 9 |
| Avana Waterfront Apartments | 12 |
| Muri Beach | 16 |
| Moana Sands Beachfront Hotel | 20 |
| Wigmore’s Superstore | 26 |
| Rarotongan Beach Resort & Spa | 30 |
| Rarotonga Backpackers | 35 |
| Edgewater Resort & Spa | 40 |
| Rarotonga Airport/RSA | 45 |
| Punanganui Market | 49 |
| COOKS’ CORNER – TERMINAL | 50 |
Anti-Clockwise Bus Timetable
The following is the scheduled timetable for the Anti-Clockwise Rarotonga Bus:
| Location | Mins Past Hour |
| COOKS’ CORNER – TERMINAL | 30 |
| Punanganui Market | 32 |
| Rarotonga Airport | 35 |
| Edgewater Resort & Spa | 40 |
| Rarotonga Backpackers | 46 |
| Rarotonga Beach Resort & Spa | 50 |
| Wigmore’s Superstore | 54 |
| Moana Sands Beachfront Hotel | 0 |
| Muri Beach | 5 |
| Avana Waterfront Apartments | 10 |
| Matavera Village Traders | 13 |
| Club Raro | 16 |
| COOK’S CORNER – TERMINAL | 20 |
Taking the Bus in Rarotonga After-Hours
Clockwise Night Bus
The Night Clockwise Bus departs Cooks’ Corner on the hour every hour from 6:00pm to 10:00pm Monday to Saturday. Note there is NO Clockwise Night Bus on Sundays.
Sunday Clockwise Bus
The Sunday Clockwise Bus departs Cooks’ Corner on the hour every hour from 8:00am to 12:00pm then 2:00pm to 4:00pm. Note there is NO Anti-Clockwise or Night Bus operating on a Sunday.
Further Information
For more information contact Cooks’ Bus Rarotonga via email: info@busaboutraro.com.
Check out their website or give them a call once you get here on +682 25512.
Want to know more about Moving to and Living in Rarotonga, Cook Islands? We’ve done it twice! Read all about it.
Read More About Rarotonga
- A Morning At Punanga Nui Markets On Saturday.
- The Best Rarotonga Beaches.
- How to Take the Bus In Rarotonga.
- A Reef Walk With Ariimoana Reef Tours.
- A Trip On Rarotonga Reef Sub.
- 20 AWESOME Things To Do In Rarotonga With Kids.
- Moving To Rarotonga From New Zealand.
Travel Planning for Cook Islands & Beyond
These are the companies we use while traveling as a family and that we would recommend to anyone planning and booking travel.
- Booking.com – The best all-around accommodation booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation and it’s easy to filter and sort into price and availability with all the extras you are looking for personally.
- Skyscanner– This is by far our favourite flight search engine. They are able to search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites often miss. We book all our flights through Skyscanner.
- GetYourGuide– Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions offered all around the world. Everything from walking tours, to street-food tours, cooking classes, desert safari’s and more!
- SafetyWing – A global travel insurance that covers people from all over the world while outside their home country. You can buy it short or longterm; and even if you are out of the country.
- World Nomads – Travel insurance tailored for longterm travel and nomads including those who have already left home. Make sure you have travel insurance before traveling to the Cook Islands!
