Is it Safe to Hitchhike in American Samoa?

Hitchhiking is a fun and popular way to travel a country. Getting around somewhere for free and meeting interesting locals? Why not?! American Samoa LINK#TT038 is one of the rare places in the world where you don’t hear horror stories of hitchhiking.

Although American Samoa is one of the safest places to hitchhike, there is still a small but potentially serious risk. What's more, the only place you're likely to need a ride is the Manu'a Islands, but with such a small population, you could be waiting all day for a ride.

We go over the hitchhiking culture in American Samoa, as well as a few pros, cons and safety tips in this complete guide to hitchhiking in American Samoa!

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Do People Hitchhike in American Samoa?

Hitchhiking is not unheard of in American Samoa, but it’s usually used as a last resort, considering there are inexpensive buses LINK#T002, as well as taxis available, at least on the main island of Tutuila.

With that in mind, the Manu'a Islands tend to be the islands where most hitchhiking occurs, due to the lack of public transport infrastructure. But also due to the small population on these islands, you could be waiting a while before someone picks you up.

While locals will certainly understand the universal sign of sticking your thumb out on the side of the road, and many are more than happy to pick up hitchhikers, the main problem with hitchhiking in American Samoa is that rides won’t generally be very long, perhaps from one village to the next or straight to Pago Pago. As a result, it could take you a good while to travel longer distances.

Hitchhiking CREDIT AmericanSamoaPocketGuide.com
© AmericanSamoaPocketGuide.com

The Pros and Cons of Hitchhiking in American Samoa

Like all ways of getting around, there are pros and cons of hitchhiking in American Samoa.

The Pros of Hitchhiking

  • It’s free (or you can offer to contribute a small amount for gas, usually US$5-$10 is fair, although offers of payment will normally be refused).
  • It could be faster or just as fast as getting the bus, due to local buses’ erratic schedules on Tutuila.
  • It might be your only option if you miss the last bus, don’t have the phone number of a taxi, or you're in the Manu'a Islands.
  • You will likely meet some interesting people.
  • It’s more eco-friendly than using a vehicle all to yourself.
  • It’s an adventure!

The Cons of Hitchhiking

  • It is usually time-consuming trying to get a lift.
  • You might have to take several lifts to get to your destination, therefore taking more time.
  • There is an element of risk.
  • Someone else is in charge – so you can’t spontaneously stop for photos, for example.
  • You have far less flexibility than having your own rental car.
  • Getting a taxi is more reliable while taking a bus is safer and very inexpensive, so why not use those?
Hitchhike American Samoa
© AmericanSamoaPocketGuide.com

Hitchhiking Safety in American Samoa

There’s no sugar-coating it: when you’re hitchhiking anywhere in the world, you’re taking a risk, as you don’t know who you could end up in a vehicle with. Although there have been no public cases of hitchhikers having negative experiences in American Samoa, if you are going to do it, be sure to be savvy by following the following tips…

7 Safety Tips for Hitchhiking in American Samoa

  1. Never hitchhike alone.
  2. Don’t hitchhike at night – taxis operate 24/7.
  3. Engage in conversation before getting in the car, allowing time for your instinct to determine whether you should wait for the next car or not.
  4. Don’t accept a lift if you get bad vibes from the driver.
  5. If you start to feel uncomfortable, come up with an excuse to be dropped off immediately. Saying that you’re going to be sick is a good one.
  6. Take a picture of the vehicle registration before you get in (ask first and only get in if they accept) and message it to a trusted contact. Even if you have no network to send the picture, it’s more to show the driver how cautious you’re being.
  7. Have a “Plan B” – if you are unsuccessful at hitchhiking, have an alternative transport; check out American Samoa Transport Guide: 10 Best Ways to Get Around American Samoa for your options.

More About Getting Around American Samoa

That’s all we have to say about hitchhiking in American Samoa. If you’re wondering about some more reliable but cheap ways of getting around, check out our other transport guides:

Finally, compare all your travel options in our American Samoa Transport Guide: 10 Best Ways to Get Around American Samoa.