THE GUIDE - Rough Guide to Fiji - page 155

GETTING AROUND: RURAL VITI LEVU
The easiest way to travel around Viti Levu is by road , with the busy single-lane Queens Rd
connecting Nadi and Suva along the south coast (4hr), and the less-travelled Kings Rd con-
necting Nadi and Suva via Lautoka along the north coast (6hr). Between them the roads cover
the 460km circumference of the island. Stray cattle (especially at night), kids playing on the
roadside, speeding minivans, over-laden trucks and deep potholes make the roads somewhat
hazardous. Public buses are the safest way to travel and offer lovely views of the countryside
from the high windows. There are no trains apart from industrial sugar train lines and no
boat service between towns around Viti Levu.
BY BUS
Most buses originate from either Lautoka or Suva, travelling between the two cities on the
Kings Rd along the north coast, or on the Queens Rd along the south coast, stopping at towns
and most large hotels along the way. Local buses stop frequently between destinations - to
hail one on the roadside simply put out your arm and flap your fingers.
COMPANIES
Sunbeam Transport 666 2086 in Lautoka, 338 2704 in Suva, sunbeamfiji.com .
Operates regular express services between Lautoka and Suva, running in both directions
along the Queens Rd and Kings Rd. The southern route (F$18; 10 daily; 5hr) stops at Nadi
Airport, Nadi Town, Sigatoka, most Coral Coast hotels, Pacific Harbour and Navua; the
northern route (F$15.70; 8 daily 6hr) stops at Ba, Tavua, Rakiraki, Barotu, Korovou and
Nausori.
Pacific Transport 670 0044 in Nadi, 330 4366 in Suva. Serves the Queens Rd only
(F$20.25; 5hr; 6 daily).
Coral Sun 672 3105, coralsunfiji.com . Provides a more comfortable and direct tourist
bus service each way between Nadi Airport and Suva, stopping at all Coral Coast hotels,
Pacific Harbour and terminating at Holiday Inn Suva (departs Nadi Airport 7.30am & 1pm;
Suva 7.15am & 3.30pm; F$22; 4hr).
BY MINIVAN AND CARRIER VAN
Minivans Minivans operate between all towns, usually picking up passengers at bus stands.
They are quicker than buses and cost approximately the same, but can be a hair-raising exper-
ience, especially at night when overtaking large vehicles, with their horn blaring and lights
flashing.
Carrier vans Open-backed carrier vans travel to all interior villages along dirt roads, bring-
ing produce to and from market - ask amongst the market vendors and you should be able
to hitch a bumpy ride squashed in the back for F$3-7 depending on the distance. To hire a
carrier van with driver costs around F$50 for a 1hr journey.