How to Get from La Tontouta International Airport to Magenta Domestic Airport in New Caledonia
Getting from La Tontouta International Airport to Magenta Domestic Airport, New Caledonia’s domestic flight hub, isn’t straightforward. Here, Rico Pena will explain how to do it.
La Tontouta is New Caledonia’s main airport, with international flights from New Zealand, Australia and a few other Pacific destinations. However, with no domestic flights, you will need to make your way to Noumea Magenta Airport for any domestic transfers. At its quickest, it is a 40-minute drive to either the capital or the domestic airport.
Obviously, this is not the place for a seamless transfer between international and domestic flights. Here are the main options for getting from one airport to the other.
How to get from La Tontouta International Airport to Magenta Domestic Airport
There are several transport options from La Tontouta International Airport to Magenta Domestic Airport, serving an array of budgets. It is also worth noting that the Magenta Domestic Airport is located just to the East of downtown Noumea, the capital of New Caledonia. However, La Tontouta International Airport does have a staffed Information Desk and we were able to get some of our questions answered upon arrival.
1. How to take Public Transport from La Tontouta International Airport to Magenta Domestic Airport
While public transport (Taneo) is the most affordable option, it also takes the longest. Getting to the public bus stop at La Tontouta is easy. Once you exit the arrivals hall, you will take an immediate right to leave the airport and another right towards the Arc en Ciel shuttle stop. However, not even 20 meters from the airport entrance and before the shuttle stop, you will notice a white pillar to your left, just past a barricade. These pillars indicate bus stops and bus numbers (at La Tontouta, the bus is P4) along with the bus times. Buses in the Noumea region run to a schedule.
Noumea Taneo Bus Fares - October 2022 to get from La Tontouta International Airport to Magenta Domestic Airport
White Pillar that marks public bus stations in Noumea, New Caledonia
You can buy a bus ticket on the bus with cash (there is an ATM in the airport). For us, it costs roughly 400cfp from La Tontouta to Noumea, and then another 300cfp to Magenta. However, if going straight to the next airport, you may be able to use the same ticket (we stopped in Noumea for lunch).
The bus first made its way to Piata, a small village with corner shops, where it ended. It was here that we were instructed to get on another bus, L7 (our ticket covered both buses). This then took us the rest of the way to the main bus terminal in Noumea, Noumea Moselle. At peak times, the P4 bus runs directly from La Tontouta to Noumea Moselle.
Bus 4 leaves Noumea Moselle and will take you to Noumea Magenta Airport for your domestic flight. The end-to-end takes approximately 2 hours at its fastest.
Bus station on the route from La Tontouta International Airport to Magenta Domestic Airport
2. How to take the Shuttle Service from La Tontouta International Airport to Magenta Domestic Airport
Another way to get from La Tontouta to Noumea or Magenta is on the airport shuttle service. This option offers more luxury, with a coach allocated for each plane landing (e.g. the bus we could have taken said Auckland in the window).
The shuttle takes you directly to your intended destination, and while this is the easier option, it will set you back at 3,200cfp each.
To get to the shuttle you will exit the arrivals hall and take an immediate right to leave the airport. You will then take another right towards the Arc en Ciel shuttle stop. Most people take this option, so there is likely to be a crowd to follow. The shuttle stop has a ticket counter with attendants to which you can indicate your destination and buy a ticket.
3. How to take a Taxi from La Tontouta International Airport to Magenta Domestic Airport
As with any airport, La Tontouta International Airport has taxis that can take you to your intended destination. While we did not take this option, we heard it would cost roughly 10,000cfp to get into Noumea.
4. How to take the Rental Car from La Tontouta International Airport to Magenta Domestic Airport
The most expensive option is to get a rental car from La Tontouta International Airport to Magenta Domestic Airport. Europcar is located at both international and domestic airports and does day rentals. This option, where you drive yourself, could be a great option should you wish to take some detours along the way or spend the night in Noumea before your onward travel.
Magenta Domestic Airport - Aerodrome Bus Station and airport parking lot
Whichever transport method you take, the two airports are quite distant and it will take some time to get from one to the other. So it is best to give yourself plenty of time between your international and domestic flights. For example, we had 7 hours between flights and took public transport; this gave us 2 hours comfortably in Noumea to stop for lunch.
More travel itineraries are available on the Travel Tips page.