Marshall Islands Transport Guide: 13 Best Ways to Get Around the Marshall Islands

Let’s start with how you get to the Marshall Islands. Most travellers arrive by international flight.

The country’s main international airport is Amata Kabua International Airport (MAJ), also known as Marshall Islands International Airport, on Majuro Atoll. This is the most practical arrival point for overseas visitors, although some regional services also use Kwajalein Island Airport (KWA).

Direct international flights connect the Marshall Islands with Honolulu, Tarawa and selected airports in the Federated States of Micronesia, including Pohnpei. Travellers from Australia, New Zealand and Asia generally need to connect through Nadi or Brisbane.

Find out more about airlines, routes and flight times in Which Airlines Fly Directly to the Marshall Islands?

Note that on arrival, you will be asked questions concerning quarantine and, the one that trips many travellers, “Where are you staying?” Find out more about the arrival formalities in our guide, Arriving in the Marshall Islands: Airport Customs, Biosecurity & the Arrival Process.

With 29 atolls and five islands spread across a vast stretch of the Pacific, domestic flights are one of the fastest ways to travel beyond Majuro.

Air Marshall Islands operates scheduled services from Majuro to airports and airstrips across the Ratak and Ralik island chains. Some routes also allow travellers to fly between outer islands without returning to Majuro, depending on the weekly schedule.

You’ll be flying on small aircraft, which means limited space, simple outer-island terminals and schedules that can change because of weather, wind or aircraft availability. Reconfirm your booking at least 24 hours before departure, arrive two hours early and leave a generous buffer before any international connection.

For schedules, booking advice and baggage information, see Domestic Flights in the Marshall Islands: Your Guide to Interisland Flights.

Majuro is the best island in the Marshall Islands for renting a car, with the widest choice of vehicles and the most practical road network for independent travel. It is particularly convenient for the drive west to Laura Beach and the sights along the way.

Most rental companies are based around Delap, Uliga and Djarrit, offering compact cars, sedans and SUVs. Compare the main operators in the 5 Best Car Rentals in Majuro & the Marshall Islands.

The main routes across Majuro are paved. Visitors can generally drive with a valid overseas driver’s licence for up to 30 days, although rental companies set their own minimum ages and document requirements, as explained in What You Need to Hire a Car in the Marshall Islands.

Before collecting the keys, familiarise yourself with driving on the right, local speed limits and Majuro’s less predictable road users in How to Drive in the Marshall Islands + 10 Road Rules You Need to Know.

Boat transfers are the main way to reach lagoon islands and small islets across the Marshall Islands. On outer atolls, this is often less formal than in Majuro, with trips arranged directly with local boat owners, accommodation hosts or community contacts.

Services usually operate on demand rather than to fixed timetables, so confirm the departure point, return time and total cost before setting off. Weather can delay or cancel trips, and many islands are privately owned, meaning landing permission or an island-use fee may be required.

Pack valuables in a waterproof bag, bring cash, drinking water and sun protection, then check whether fuel, food or snorkelling gear is included. See A Guide to Boat Transfers & Charters in the Marshall Islands for transfer options, charter advice and practical planning tips.

Taxis are one of the easiest ways to get around Majuro, particularly through Delap, Uliga and Djarrit. Most operate as shared public transport, so the driver may pick up other passengers travelling in the same direction.

Short trips around town usually cost around US$3 per person, while longer journeys to the airport or Laura cost more. Taxis are easy to hail from the roadside, although it is better to arrange one in advance for airport transfers, early starts or longer sightseeing trips.

For fares, hailing tips and advice on screened drivers, see Taxis in Majuro & the Marshall Islands: Taxi Fares, How to Use & More.

Scooter hire is a fun and affordable way to explore Majuro, particularly for solo travellers who want more freedom than taxis provide. Automatic scooters have a much cheaper daily rental rate than cars, with a helmet included, and accommodation delivery is usually available.

Riders must be at least 18 and carry a valid home-country driver’s license, which visitors can generally use for up to 30 days after entering the Marshall Islands. Scooters have limited storage, so bring a small backpack and take extra care around traffic, pedestrians, dogs and flooded sections of road.

See Scooter Hire in the Marshall Islands: Where to Rent, Cost & More for rental details, license requirements, prices and riding advice.

Another option limited to Majuro, bicycle hire is available for adults and children, with helmets included. Collection and delivery may be available, although payment is generally cash only.

Majuro’s mostly flat terrain makes cycling appealing for short trips around Delap, Uliga and Djarrit. However, there are few dedicated cycle lanes, traffic can be busy, and the tropical heat makes longer journeys more demanding than they look on a map.

Before setting off, check the brakes, gears and tyre pressure, then take plenty of water and sun protection. See The Ultimate Guide to Cycling in the Marshall Islands for rental details, suggested routes, journey times and road-safety advice.

On Majuro, the easiest option is usually to arrange an airport transfer through your accommodation. Some hotels include pick-up in the room rate, while others charge a small fee or can organise a taxi on your behalf.

On the outer islands, transfers are often much simpler. Accommodation hosts may meet arriving flights with a vehicle or boat, while on the smallest islands the airstrip can be close enough to walk to your accommodation, luggage permitting.

Confirm arrangements before flying, particularly on islands with limited vehicles and irregular flight schedules. See 5 Best Airport Transfers in Majuro & the Marshall Islands for the main options and practical booking advice.

Guided sightseeing tours are limited to Majuro, but they can be a convenient way to explore without renting a car or piecing together taxis. Half-day tours generally focus on the town area, while full-day trips may continue west to the Japanese Memorial Peace Park, a coconut-processing facility and Laura Beach.

Transport is typically included, with pick-up or a meeting point arranged when booking. The real advantage is having a local guide explain Marshallese culture, daily life and wartime history along the way, rather than simply watching the scenery pass by.

See the 10 Best Tours in Majuro & the Marshall Islands for the available sightseeing, cultural and lagoon experiences.

Majuro has one useful public minivan service running between the RRE Complex in Uliga and Laura Beach. The fare is approximately US$3 per person each way, making it the cheapest way to travel between town and the western end of the atoll.

The minivan can also pick up passengers along the route, including those staying around Rairok or Ajeltake, provided there is space. Ask your accommodation or Hotel Robert Reimers for the latest departure details, as this is a simple local service rather than a formal bus network.

The main drawback is that you cannot stop at beaches, shops or other sights along the way. For a straightforward trip to Laura Beach, though, it is hard to beat for value.

Passenger boats connect a number of atolls across the Marshall Islands, carrying local travellers, luggage, supplies and island produce. Services are generally affordable, although departures can be infrequent and may change because of weather, sea conditions or operational issues.

One of the easiest routes to understand is between Majuro and Arno Atoll, its closest neighbouring atoll. The trip takes around 1 hr 30 mins and is usually made in a small, open passenger boat rather than a conventional ferry, which gives you a fair idea of what inter-atoll travel can be like elsewhere.

Confirm the sailing before travelling, arrive early and keep documents and valuables protected from sea spray. See Majuro to Arno Atoll by Boat: Fares, Schedules & Tips for a closer look at the practicalities of inter-atoll boat travel.

Sailing your own yacht is one of the most adventurous ways to explore the Marshall Islands, with remote lagoons and anchorages far beyond the usual visitor routes. International clearance must first be completed at one of the country’s two ports of entry, Majuro or Ebeye.

Before continuing to the outer islands, apply for a separate Entry/Cruising Permit for every atoll you plan to visit. Processing can take time, and some restricted or nuclear-affected atolls require additional permission, so never assume an anchorage is open to visiting yachts.

Stock up on food, fuel, spare parts and cash in Majuro or Ebeye, as supplies and marine services are extremely limited elsewhere. See the Sailing Guide to the Marshall Islands: Tips for Yachting in the Marshall Islands for clearance procedures, cruising permits, anchorages and practical sailing advice.

Cruise ships visit the Marshall Islands only occasionally, usually as part of longer Pacific expeditions, grand voyages or world cruises. Most calls focus on Majuro, where passengers can spend the day exploring cultural sites, lagoon scenery, beaches and World War Two history.

Some expedition itineraries also visit outer atolls such as Mili and Jaluit, often using smaller landing craft where conditions and local permissions allow. These visits are far less common and may change at short notice because of weather, sea conditions or access arrangements.

Check the itinerary carefully before booking, as Marshall Islands calls do not appear on every sailing. See the 5 Best Cruises that Go to the Marshall Islands for the cruise lines and expedition routes most likely to visit.

Plus, learn about what to do once you arrive in port with The Guide to the Ports of Call in the Marshall Islands.