Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
GETTING AROUND
On foot
With a compact city centre and few attractions beyond, walking is the best way to
get around Suva by day (see more information on
safety
after dark). Thankfully, most streets
have canopies to keep out the rain although the condition of the pavements is definitely not
wheelchair- or pram-friendly.
By bus
Local buses are exceptionally cheap - most inner city fares cost just F$1 - and me-
ander around Suva to all satellite towns on a frequent schedule between 6am and 6pm, with
a more limited service running until 10pm. All buses congregate at the Suva bus stand, but if
travelling to Suva Point in the suburb of Nasese or to the university or National Stadium at
Laucala Bay, you can wait at the bus stop beside Vanua House on Victoria Parade, which is
more practical if you are in the city centre.
By taxi
Taxis are exceptionally cheap and are the only really
safe
way to get around by night.
Taxis are ubiquitous, with half a dozen taxi stands in the city centre alone: Carnarvon Taxis (
331 5315) in Carnarvon St behind Dolphin Plaza, Black Arrow Taxis ( 330 0139) in Cen-
tral St opposite Westpac Bank and Usher Taxis ( 331 2977) in Usher St beside the market
are the most convenient. Fares are calculated by a fixed-rate meter with a flagfall of F$1.50
(F$2 10pm-6am; F$5 from the airport) plus ten cents for every 100m travelled. A journey
across the city shouldn't cost more than F$4.
By car
There's nowhere to rent bicycles or mopeds in the city but a dozen companies
offer car rental. The most convenient is Central Rental, 295 Victoria Parade (Mon-Sat
8am-5.30pm, Sun 8am-1pm; 331 1866,
www.central.com.fj
)
; other reliable options in-
clude Budget, 123 Foster Rd, Walu Bay ( 338 1555,
budget.co.uk
); Carpenters, 88 Foster
Rd, Walu Bay ( 331 3644,
carprentals.com.fj
)
; and Khans, 157 Ratu Mara Rd, Samabula
( 338 5033,
www.khansrental.com.fj
)
. Metered parking spaces are available along most
streets (20 cents for 15min), or there's longer-stay parking (F$1 per hour) along the vacant
foreshore behind Civic Hall, accessible from either Stinson Parade or Victoria Parade beside
Civic Tower.
SAFETY IN SUVA
Although Suva centre is safe during the day, you should exercise caution
after dark
, when
taxis are the recommended way to get around, even if it's a matter of going a few hun-
dred metres down the street. Female travellers should avoid going out unaccompanied after
dark.
