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.
- Taking the bus in Rarotonga
- Which direction?
- Bus fares
- Rarotonga bus schedule
- Clockwise timetable
- Anti-clockwise timetable
- After-hours and Sundays
- Further information
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.
Whether you’re visiting for a few days and making your way around independently or you’re in between accommodation and a rental vehicle, taking the bus in Rarotonga is an easy option.
The bus is a relaxing way to get a glimpse of island life around the entire of Rarotonga…
You can take the bus from point A to point B, or you can just jump on and take a ride right around the entire island. And, coming from people that normally get around by car or motorbike, we can confirm that you get a great view from being that little bit higher up on the road!
It’s easy, affordable and a relaxing option for transport around Rarotonga.
Which direction? Clockwise or anti-clockwise?
The round-Rarotonga bus service runs around the island in both a clockwise and anti-clockwise direction. (That’s it!).
The entire island of Rarotonga is encircled by a single main road – Ara Tapu – that connects the districts and villages of the island with a 32km sealed loop road.
- Note: Some parts of the island are also connected by a parallel inland road (the ‘backroad’) although this does not continue all the way around.
The bus in Rarotonga follows the main island road and runs around the coast in both directions departing from the Bus Stop at Cook’s Corner in Avarua.
Fares and tickets
| Adult One Way | $5 | One Ride |
| Adult Return | $8 | Two Rides |
| Adult Round Trip | $8 | Full ride around the island without disembarking the bus |
| Child Single Ride | $3 | Children aged 3yrs to 12yrs |
| Child Return | $4 | Two Rides |
| Day Pass | $16 | Hop on, hop off |
| Family Day Pass | $26 | Hop on, hop off as a family |
| Adult Concession | $30 | (10 rides) |
| Child Concession | $19 | (10 rides) |
All fares are in NZD and are a standard price that applies all year.
Fares are to be paid in cash. The Cooks’ Island Bus in Rarotonga does not currently accept EFTPOS Transactions.
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 Bus
The Clockwise Bus departs Cooks’ Corner on the hour every hour from 7:00am to 5:00pm, Monday to Saturday.
Anti-Clockwise 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
| 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
| 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 one you get here (phone: +682 25512).
Read more about the Cook Islands
- Reef walk in Rarotonga with Ariimoana Walkabouts.
- The Needle: A guide to Rarotonga’s famous Cross Island walk.
- Moving to Rarotonga: Everything you need to know.
- Raemaru Mountain: The easiest hike on Rarotonga?
- 20 AWESOME things to do in Rarotonga with kids.
- How many have you tried? 20 unique fruits of Rarotonga.