Budget/Backpacker Travel Guide: Tonga

Accommodation

$25-60 per night

Backpacker hostels, budget guesthouses, and basic falekoloa (traditional accommodations) with shared facilities

Food & Dining

$15-35 per day

Local markets, street food stalls, traditional Tongan dishes, and self-catering from local shops

Transportation

$8-20 per day

Public buses, walking, and occasional shared taxis for longer distances

Activities

$10-30 per day

Free beaches, hiking, cultural sites, and occasional paid attractions or snorkeling trips

Shop at local markets and cook your own meals instead of eating at tourist restaurants (typically 60-70% cheaper)

Use public buses and walk when possible rather than relying on taxis (saves 70-80% on transportation costs)

Visit during shoulder season months for accommodation discounts of 25-40%

Book inter-island transport in advance and travel with locals rather than tourist boats (typically 40-50% savings)

Stay in traditional falekoloa or local guesthouses instead of international hotels (usually 50-65% less expensive)

Participate in free cultural activities and beach time rather than paid tours every day

Buy groceries and snacks from local shops instead of hotel convenience stores (typically 100-200% markup at hotels)

Only eating at resort restaurants and tourist areas instead of exploring local food options (typically costs 150-300% more)

Taking taxis everywhere without considering public transport or walking (can increase daily transport costs by 300-500%)

Not factoring in inter-island transport costs, which can significantly impact budgets for multi-island trips

Booking accommodation without comparing local guesthouses to international hotel chains (often 100-200% price difference)

Not bringing cash - many local establishments don't accept cards and ATMs can be limited with high fees