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Buses
Travelling by bus is an experience. The buses are brightly coloured and run by a timetable that is known only to thedriver and if you are lucky local police officer. They start running early in the morning but if you want to catch one after dark don't be surprised if you can't find one. If you are hoping to travel from or to a more remote area there may well only be one bus a day.
The buses have the name of the final village on the front so you will have to ask someone which bus it is you need to catch. Don't worry most Samoans understand and speak English, but it might be fun to try asking for directions in Samoan.
If you are in Apia there are two places where you should be able to find a bus, the new market (mrketi fou)and behind the old market, marketi tuai.
The buses can get very full and you might find it necessary to si'i, that is to have someone sit on your lap or sit on someone's lap. The buses are not meant to travel with anyone standing, but this is frequently ignored. However buses can be pulled over by the police and people asked to get off and wait for the next bus.
It used to be possible to tell that a bus was coming by the noise it made, but it is now illegal for them to have the type of sound system that would blend in at the Notting Hill Carnival. Taxis
All taxi charges carry a minimum of WS$2.00 within the town area. Taxis are not metered and it is advisable to agree on a set price beforehand, or contact the Visitors Bureau for assistance. The taxi fare from Faleolo International Airport into Apia is WS$30.00 one way. Hire Cars
In Samoa you drive on the right hand side of the road, and most of the cars are left hand drive, since they are from either American Samoa or America. In the past some cars have been imported from Australia and New Zealand so you might see some right hand drive cars around, but recent government regulations have now made it illegal for people to import right hand drive cars.
The speed limit within the Apia area is 40kmph (25mph), and outside of Apia it is 56 kmph (35mph).
If you wish to take your hire car to Savai'i check with the agency you are hiring it from that you can take it over on the ferry. To the best of my knowledge there is nowhere that provides rental cars on Savai'i.
When travelling to Savai'i with a car it makes sense to book your passage before you arrive at the wharf. Tickets can be obtained from the Western Samoan Shipping Line offices, next to Evening Shades just off Beach Road, past Aggie Grays. The tickets will cost you 30 Tala each way. Although it may be possible to get on the ferry just turning up, there is no guarantee.
If you find yourself involved in an accident that results in damage of any description and your car is still servicable DO NOT STOP. Drive to the next village and ask where the nearest police station is. Let the police negotiate a settlement with the villagers in question.
It has also been suggested that if involved in an accident you could possibly also stop at a pastors house. He may be able to intercede on your behalf.
If you wish to find out more about driving, these lighthearted tips may give you an idea of what to expect. Tips for tourists, Tips for locals Hotel Coach
If the thought of driving around Samoa seems to much for you, and you find it too awkard to get where you want to go by bus, it is probably worth contacting the more up-market hotels, such as Aggie Grays or the Vaisala. These companies organise trips around the island to some of the more popular destinations and you may well be able to book seats on them. On Foot
Walking around Samoa should prove to be a very interesting experience. Samoan's are very friendly people. Don't be surprised to here shouts of "Hello Palagi" as people shout to you as you walk past their houses. You should be aware that at about 18:00 or 19:00 a number of villages have a Sa, a time for the family to pray together. In some of these villages it is considered very bad form to walk along the road during the sa.
Something else worth looking out for are the dogs. A general rule of thumb is NEVER TRUST A DOG. There's no need to worry about rabies, it's just that they are not very well trained and are not averse to taking a nip at someone. You shouldn't need to worry about the pigs though
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