Overview
The Solomon Islands are made up of nearly 1,000 tropical islands scattered across the southwestern Pacific Ocean east of Papua New Guinea. Due to their remote location, the islands have remained an unspoilt tourist gem and the tourism industry is slow to develop. The main reason for traveling to the Solomon Islands is the magnificent underwater wildlife, which makes the archipelago a true paradise for divers. The most important tourist islands are Guadalcanal, Malaita, Choiseul, New Georgia, San Cristobal and Santa Isabel. A visit to the capital Honiara, which is located on Guadalcanal, is also worthwhile, as it offers a museum, botanical gardens and its own Chinatown. Small villages and scenic country roads are within easy reach of the capital. Guided tours of World War II battlefields and trips to Rennell and Bellona, villages known for their carvings, are also popular. See other countries in Oceania on businesscarriers.
Getting there
Arriving by plane
The national airline Solomon Airlines (IE) connects Brisbane (Australia) non-stop with Honiara several times a week. Solomon Airlines (IE) also operates non-stop flights between Honiara and the islands of Vanuatu, Fiji and Kiribati. From Frankfurt/M., Vienna and Zurich, Qatar Airways (QR) fly via Doha and Emirates (EK) via Dubai to Brisbane.
Flight times
Brisbane – Honiara: 3 hrs 15 mins (non-stop) Frankfurt/M. – Brisbane: 21 hrs 45 mins; Vienna – Brisbane: 21 hrs 5 mins; Zurich – Brisbane: 21 hrs 30 mins (with stops; journey times vary depending on length of stay)
Departure fee
About €4 (40SBD). Children under the age of 2 and passengers in transit who do not leave the airport do not pay any fees.
Arrival by car
Toll: There are no tolls on the islands’ roads. Documents: In addition to the national driver’s license, the international driver’s license is required.
Arrival by ship
Honiara (Guadalcanal), Yandina (Rendell Island) and Noro (New Georgia) are the international ports of the Solomon Islands.
Cruise ships
Cruise operators such as Ponant and Princess call at Honiara on their voyages departing from Brisbane and Sydney.
Transportation
Traveling by plane
Solomon Airlines (IE) operates scheduled domestic and charter flights to most Solomon Islands islands and cities.
Traveling by car/bus
The road network of all islands covers a total of over 1,300 km. Toll: There are no tolls on the islands’ roads.
Right-hand traffic/left-hand traffic
Left
Condition of the roads
In general, the road condition is rather bad. The few paved roads are mainly on the islands of Guadalcanal and Malaita.
Road classification
The road network comprises about 450 km of main roads and about 800 km of the plantations’ private roads.
Car rental
Rental cars are available at the airport in Honiara (Avis) or can also be booked through hotels.
Taxi
Taxis can be found in Honiara, Gizo and Auki, among others. It is advisable to agree on the fare in advance as taxis do not have meters.
Coach
Bus service is only available in Honiara. Transport outside of Honiara is mostly carried out with trucks that have seats ready for passengers or carry trailers.
Documentation
In addition to the national driver’s license, the international driver’s license is required.
Traveling in the city
Honiara has a small public bus network. However, the buses do not run regularly.
Traveling by ship
Ships are the best means of transport between the islands. Passenger ships run regularly between Honiara and Auki, among others. From Honiara via Marovo to Gizo there is a boat once a week. Various tour operators also offer cruises and sightseeing tours.
