A Complete Guide to Sailing, Cruising and Flying to American Samoa
You've seen the stunning pictures of the jungle-clad volcanic peaks or white-sand beaches sloping into azure lagoons; now you just need to figure out how to get to paradise...
American Samoa is a group of five volcanic islands and two coral atolls located in the South Pacific between French Polynesia and the Cook Islands to the east and Fiji and Wallis and Futuna to the west. To go more into the details, check out Where is American Samoa Located?
Needless to say, the location of American Samoa is remote, so you can be forgiven for asking: "How the hell do you get there!?" We're here to lay out all of your options in this complete guide on how to get to American Samoa.
Table of Contents
5 Quick Tips for Getting to American Samoa
Planning a trip to the beautiful islands of American Samoa? Get ready for an unforgettable adventure in paradise! Here are five essential tips to ensure a smooth journey to this stunning South Pacific destination.
- Do you need a visa for American Samoa? Find out in our visa guide
- Be aware of the biosecurity restrictions – see Airport Customs, Biosecurity & the Arrival Process LINK#TT002
- Make sure you stick to the duty-free allowances
- If sailing to American Samoa, be aware of the customs clearance process
- Wise up on the one and only port of call in American Samoa, Pago Pago, if travelling on a cruise ship.
And ensure you do the appropriate paperwork before your arrival, as outlined in What Documents Do I Need to Travel to American Samoa?
International Flights to Amercian Samoa
Direct international flights to American Samoa come from Hawaii and Samoa. Most long-haul connections can be made in Hawaii, while connections from New Zealand, Australia and Fiji can be made in Samoa.
Airlines, Routes and Duration of Flights to American Samoa
The following airlines fly to American Samoa on the following routes:
- Samoa Airways - Faleolo to Pago Pago - 30-35 minutes
- Samoa Airways - Fagali'i to Pago Pago - 25-30 minutes
- Talofa Airways - Faleolo to Pago Pago - 25-30 minutes
- Hawaiian Airlines - Honolulu to Pago Pago - 5 hrs 30 mins
Learn more about flights to American Samoa in Which Airlines Fly Directly to American Samoa?
Flight times are also listed in What Are the Flight Times to American Samoa?
The International Airport in American Samoa
The main international airport in American Samoa is Pago Pago International Airport (PPG), located on the island of Tutuila. Learn about the facilities and location of this airport in Airports in American Samoa: Where Can You Fly to in American Samoa?
Those landing from an international flight at Pago Pago International Airport need to go through an arrivals process, including customs, immigration and biosecurity. Learn more about the formalities in our guide, Arriving in American Samoa: Airport Customs, Biosecurity & the Arrival Process LINK#TT002.
Airport transfers await arriving international flights outside the arrivals area of Pago Pago International Airport. It's best to have airport transfers pre-booked. Otherwise, there are plenty of taxis eagerly awaiting your business. Check out the 10 Best Airport Transfers in American Samoa LINK#T030 for all of your options.
You can make connections to Ofu-Olosega and Ta'ū in the Manu'a Islands through Pago Pago Airport. More information can be found in Domestic Flights in American Samoa: Your Guide to Interisland Flights.
Cruises to American Samoa
American Samoa is on the itinerary of several South Pacific cruises from New Zealand, Australia and the US, as well as round-the-world cruises from Europe. There is just one port of call in American Samoa, its capital Pago Pago LINK#D006.
Cruises to American Samoa
The following cruise companies offer cruises to American Samoa:
- Silversea Cruises
- Holland America Line
- Oceania Cruises
- Norwegian Cruise Line
- Celebrity Cruises
- Princess Cruises
- Disney Cruises
- Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Find out more about these cruises and where they depart in the 10 Best Cruises that Go to American Samoa.
Ports of Call in American Samoa
The one and only port of call in American Samoa is the Pago Pago Harbor on the island of Tutuila. Cruise ships dock at the port so there's no need for zodiac transfers like elsewhere in the South Pacific.
Tours LINK#TTD128, taxi drivers LINK#T038 and rental vehicles LINK#T007 meet passengers at the harbour, giving you plenty of options for getting around and discovering some of the Best Things to Do in Pago Pago and Tutuila LINK#D004 should you not want to venture too far.
Learn more about planning your visit to American Samoa from a cruise ship with The Complete Guide to the Ports of Call in American Samoa LINK#T012.
Sailing to American Samoa
Finally, another way you can get to American Samoa is on a sailing yacht. American Samoa is ideally situated at the centre of a Transpacific journey between the US and New Zealand. The yachting season is between May and October.
American Samoa Sailing Formalities
All yachts arriving from overseas need to inform the American Samoa Port Authority of their arrival at least 92 hours prior to their ETA. The Pago Pago Harbour on Tutuila is the only port of entry in American Samoa and is where all of the clearing-in and clearing-out formalities must take place.
For more details on sailing formalities, see our Sailing Guide to American Samoa: Tips for Yachting in American Samoa.
Frequently Asked Questions About Getting to American Samoa
Now that you know about the various ways to reach American Samoa, here are the answers to the internet's frequently asked questions about getting to this Pacific paradise!
How do I get to American Samoa from New Zealand?
To get to American Samoa from New Zealand, you'll need to fly via connecting flights as there are no direct routes. The most common route is Auckland to Apia (Samoa), then take a connecting flight to Pago Pago International Airport. For more information, check out Which Airlines Fly Directly to American Samoa?
What is the best way to get to American Samoa?
The best way to get to American Samoa depends on your departure location, but most travellers find flying via Samoa to be the most convenient option. Regular flights operate between Apia and Pago Pago, making it a popular choice for those coming from New Zealand, Australia or other Pacific destinations. Those coming from the US are best connecting in Hawaii.
Can you fly direct to American Samoa?
Direct flights to American Samoa are very limited. Hawaiian Airlines operates the only regular direct international service, flying from Honolulu to Pago Pago. Most other international travellers will need to connect through Samoa or Hawaii to reach American Samoa.
Which airlines fly to American Samoa?
The main airlines serving American Samoa are Hawaiian Airlines (from Honolulu) and Talofa Airways (from Apia). Samoa Airways also operates between Apia and Pago Pago, as well as regional services within American Samoa, which you can learn more about in Domestic Flights in American Samoa: Your Guide to Interisland Flights.
More About How to Get to American Samoa
That's it for our complete guide on how to get to American Samoa! If you didn't find what you're looking for, discover more ways to get to specific islands in American Samoa with these guides:
- Pago Pago Transport Guide: 10 Ways to Get to (& Around) Tutuila
- What are the Flight Times to American Samoa?
- Travel Times & Distances: How Long Does it Take to Travel Around American Samoa?
Finally, see how to get around all of the islands once you've arrived with our American Samoa Transport Guide: 10 Best Ways to Get Around American Samoa.
