Traveling from The United States to French Polynesia, everything you need to know

If you are a US citizen or resident and want to travel to French Polynesia, you will be interested in everything we have to tell you in the following section.

How much does it cost to travel from the United States to French Polynesia?

Air Tahiti flies from cities in the United States such as New York and Los Angeles to Papeete and Bora Bora airports in French Polynesia. The prices in dollars for a round trip vary between from $800 to $1,700. You already know that getting a good price depends on the season at destination or on your flexibility regarding the dates for the trip. And if you are determined to have the best vacation you can afford without having to worry about anything except having a good time, the best idea is to get an all-inclusive package.

How to get to French Polynesia from the United States

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is the gateway to French Polynesia from the United States. The Islands’ national airline is Air Tahiti Nui. It provides daily non-stop flights to Papeete Faa’a Airport (PPT) while Air France, Air New Zealand and Qantas

Los Angeles is 4,095.23 miles from Papeete. The estimated travel time is 8 hours and 42 minutes. The distance from New York to French Polynesia is only 5,712 miles. A typical flight from New York to French Polynesia will take approximately 11 hours 26 minutes.

Los Angeles or San Francisco to Papeete are the fastest and most direct routes possible. They only take eight hours non-stop. But since we are willing to travel, we can take advantage of the situation and, for example, fly to Honolulu from Los Angeles International Airport (it takes about a six-hours) and then continue to Tahiti on another six-hour flight. This option requires more time and could significantly increase the cost of your trip. However, our job is to point out all the options so you can make up your own mind. If you finally decide to take this option, keep in mind that there is only one flight from Honolulu to Papeete per week.

Visa for French Polynesia from the United States

No doubt you will have checked the visa requirements before selecting your destination, so you will know that U.S. citizens do not need a visa for short stays as defined in the decree of December 29, 2011 on documents required for visitors who enter French Polynesian territory for periods of less than three months.
So you can visit French Polynesia without worrying about getting a visa. Close your eyes and daydream about reveling in the amenities of the beautiful islands of Tahiti and Bora Bora, among others, in French Polynesia.
However, before relaxing in the South-Sea sun, if you are traveling from the United States to French Polynesia you will need to submit the following documents at passport control at the request of the border police when you arrive in French territory:

• A valid passport issued less than 10 years ago and valid for at least three months after your scheduled departure date.
• A return ticket to the United States.
• A document that proves that you have accommodation for the entire stay (hotel reservation and/or sworn statement that you have lodging in the residence of a person you know, validated by the Tahiti city council).
• Have sufficient financial resources. This assessment is made on the basis of the duration and reason for the stay, taking the average prices of accommodation and food into account.
• Documentation that proves your profession, or those of the people who will take care of you at destination, if you are traveling for professional reasons.

Since entry requirements and customs regulations can change without warning, be sure to check the conditions before travelling and do not rely entirely on the information contained in this article. You already know that ignorance of the law does not exempt from compliance and that each passenger is solely and exclusively responsible for submitting the required travel documents.

Foreign nationals who are United States residents are subject to same rules and should contact a French consulate for further information.
The following US citizens may be required to have a short-stay visa: holders of diplomatic and service officer passports, students studying in French Polynesia, journalists on professional assignments, crew members and people with paid employment in French Polynesia (including scientific and artistic activities).

What vaccinations do I need to travel to French Polynesia from the United States?

It is important to check which vaccines are required and which recommended whenever you travel to a foreign country. In this case, the most important vaccine is for yellow fever but vaccination will not be necessary since the United States is not a risk country.