A Travellers' Guide to Hitchhiking in the Marshall Islands

Like all ways of getting around, hitchhiking in the Marshall Islands has its advantages and disadvantages. It can be useful when you are outside town and no taxi is nearby, but it is less practical in busy areas where a shared taxi will probably reach you first.

The Pros of Hitchhiking

• It’s free, although offering a small contribution for fuel is a polite gesture, especially on quieter parts of Majuro or the outer atolls.
• It could be useful in places where there are no taxis nearby, particularly outside the main town areas or on islands with very limited transport.
• It might be your only option if you are staying somewhere remote, miss an arranged lift, or find yourself on an outer atoll with few vehicles.
• You may meet friendly locals and learn more about everyday life in the Marshall Islands.
• It can be more eco-friendly than arranging a private vehicle just for yourself.
• It can feel like an adventure, especially if you are exploring beyond the main tourist areas.

The Cons of Hitchhiking

• Not all locals know what hitchhiking is, so the usual thumb-out signal may simply cause confusion.
• It can be very time-consuming, particularly on outer atolls where few vehicles pass by.
• On Majuro, especially in town, it is usually unnecessary because shared taxis already operate along the main road, are inexpensive and will probably stop first.
• You may need several short rides to reach your destination, as drivers may only be travelling between nearby villages or town areas.
• There is always an element of risk, especially when travelling alone, after dark or in isolated areas.
• Someone else is in charge, so you can’t easily stop for photos, detours or sightseeing along the way.
• You have far less flexibility than having your own rental car, bicycle or pre-arranged transfer.

For most visitors, hitchhiking works best as an occasional option outside town, not as the foundation of an entire transport plan.

There’s no sugar-coating it: when you’re hitchhiking anywhere in the world, you’re taking a risk, as you don’t know who you could end up in a vehicle with. The Marshall Islands are generally considered a low-crime destination, but hitchhiking still comes with safety concerns, especially when travelling alone, after dark or in quieter areas with little passing traffic.

On Majuro, hitchhiking is usually unnecessary because shared taxis are cheap and easy to flag down during the day. On outer atolls, the issue is often the opposite: there may be so few vehicles that waiting for a lift can be unreliable. If you do decide to hitchhike, be sensible, trust your instincts and have a backup plan.

7 Safety Tips for Hitchhiking in the Marshall Islands

1. Never hitchhike alone, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the area.
2. Don’t hitchhike at night. Poor lighting, limited footpaths and road safety concerns make night travel riskier.
3. Engage in conversation before getting in the car, allowing time for your instinct to determine whether you should wait for the next vehicle or not.
4. Don’t accept a lift if you get bad vibes from the driver or passengers.
5. If you start to feel uncomfortable, come up with an excuse to be dropped off immediately. Saying that you’re going to be sick is a good one.
6. Take a picture of the vehicle registration before you get in, ask first and only get in if they accept. Message it to a trusted contact. Even if you have no network to send the picture, it shows the driver how cautious you’re being.
7. Have a “Plan B”. If you are unsuccessful at hitchhiking, use a shared taxi, pre-arranged transfer, rental car, bicycle or guided tour instead. Check out Marshall Islands Transport Guide: The Best Ways to Get Around the Marshall Islands for your options.