How to get to New Caledonia
New Caledonia is located in the southwest Pacific Ocean around 1200km (745mi) east of Australia and 1500km (932mi) northwest of New Zealand.
New Caledonia – the third largest island in the South Pacific after Papua New Guinea and New Zealand – is easly accessibly by air with daily direct flights from Australian capital cities and Auckland, New Zealand.
The most convenient route to New Caledonia is by air to La Tontouta International Airport (NOU), also known as Nouméa – La Tontouta International Airport, located about 52km (32mi) northwest of the capital, Nouméa, on Grand Terre island.
The smaller Nouméa Magenta Airport (GEA) serves domestic flights, and is located 4km (2.4mi) northeast of Nouméa city centre.
By sea, Nouméa is a popular port of call for cruise liners – Pacific Sun, Pacific Star and Pacific Princess are the most regular cruise ships visiting New Caledonia.
Flight times to New Caledonia
The following are the most convenient and quickest routes to La Tontouta International Airport (NOU), New Caledonia.
From Australia: Qantas and Air Caledonie International offer the most convenient flights to New Caledonia.
Brisbane to Noumea is 2 hrs 5 min, direct flight
Melbourne to Noumea is 3 hrs 35 min, direct flight
Sydney to Noumea is 2 hrs 50 min, direct flight
Adelaide to Noumea is 5 hrs 25 min, with connecting flightˆ
Perth to Noumea is 7 hrs, 40 min, with connecting flightˆ
From New Zealand: Air New Zealand and Air Caledonie International operate regular flights to New Caledonia.
Auckland to Noumea is 3 hrs, direct flight
From United States: American Airlines, United Airlines, Qantas, Air New Zealand and Air Caledonie International operate the most convenient two and three stop flights to Noumea, New Caledonia.
Atlanta to Noumea is 22 hrs 10 min, with connecting flightˆ
Boston to Noumea is 23 hrs 25 min, with connecting flightˆ
Chicago to Noumea is 22 hrs 35 min, with connecting flightˆ
Dallas-Fort Worth to Noumea is 21 hrs 5 min, with connecting flightˆ
New York to Noumea is 25 hrs 10 min, with connecting flightˆ
Los Angeles to Noumea is 17 hrs 15 min, with connecting flightˆ
San Francisco to Noumea is 17 hrs 35 min, with connecting flightˆ
From Canada: Air Canada, Qantas, Air New Zealand and Air Caledonie International offer the most convenient flights to New Caledonia.
Toronto to Noumea is 24 hrs 49 min, with connecting flightˆ
Montreal to Noumea is 26 hrs 55 min, with connecting flightˆ
Vancouver to Noumea is 19 hrs 20 min, with connecting flightˆ
From Singapore: Singapore Airlines, Qantas, Air New Zealand and Air Caledonie International operate regular flights to New Caledonia.
Singapore to Noumea is 11 hrs 50 min, with connecting flightˆ
From United Kingdom: British Airways and Air Caledonie International offer the most convenient flights to New Caledonia.
London to Noumea is 21 hrs 10 min, with connecting flightˆ
From France: Air France and Air Caledonie International offer the most convenient flights to New Caledonia.
Paris to Noumea is 23 hrs 15 min, with connecting flightˆ
(ˆincludes layover time.)
Flying in
La Tontouta International Airport (NOU) is located about 52km (32mi) northwest of Noumea on the main island of Grande Terre. Hotels and resorts provide pre-arranged courtesy transport. Taxi and coach services are available to the city.
Entry requirements
A passport valid for at least six months beyond intended period of stay as well as a ticket for return or onward travel. Visas are not required for stays up to 90 days for Australia, New Zealand, EEC, US, Japan and South Korea passport holders.
Getting around
There are multiple options to getting around New Caledonia, from frequent inter-island flights and ferries to a choice of land transport.
Land – Buses, taxis and hire cars are all available as well as bicycles and motorcycles. Noumea consists of 5,000km of paved and unpaved roads. Traffic drives on the right.
Between islands – Air Calédonie offers regular services from Nouméa to neighbouring Ile des Pins and the Loyalty Islands of Maré, Ouvéa, Lifou and Tiga.
By ferry: An inter-island, high-speed catamaran operates from Noumea to Ile des Pins and Loyalty Islands.
More information about how to get around New Caledonia…
More about New Caledonia…
Latest update: How to get to New Caledonia: 27 April, 2022
Advertising