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World Travel Guide > Guides > Oceania > New Caledonia

Getting Around New Caledonia

Air

Domestic flights are run by Air Calédonie (www.air-caledonie.nc), with regular services from Nouméa to airfields on the island, and the other smaller islands. The principal local airport is Magenta Airport, 6km (4 miles) from Nouméa city centre. From here, Air Calédonie operates regular flights to Touho (east coast), Koné, Koumac, Belep (west coast), and to the neighbouring Ile des Pins and the Loyalty Islands: Maré, Ouvéa, Lifou and Tiga.

Light aircraft and helicopters are available from Air Alizé (www.airalize.com), Air Loyauté (www.air-loyaute.nc), Hélicocéan and Helisud (www.helisud.nc).

Road

The road network consists of 5,000km (3,125 miles) of paved and unpaved roads.

Side of the road

Right

Car Hire

International and local companies all have representatives in the capital. Drivers must be aged 21 or over (in some cases, 25 or over).

Taxi

Charges are for time and distance. There is a surcharge after 1900 and on Sundays.

Bike

You can hire bikes, motorbikes and scooters.

Coach

RAI (tel: +687 277 766; www.rai.nc) operates a fleet of modern coaches between towns in New Caledonia.

Documentation

International Driving Permit is required.

Urban travel

Karuia Bus (www.karuiabus.nc) runs public buses in the capital. You can buy tickets from the driver or save money by purchasing them in advance from vending machines or sales outlets.

Rail

Water

An inter-island, high-speed catamaran, 'Betico', runs regularly to Ile des Pins and Loyalty Islands from Grande Terre (reservation.betico.nc). Boats can be hired or chartered to visit smaller islands.

A digital image at https://illuminoto.com

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