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Whether you have a layover, overnight sleepover or you are just quickly passing through, our Rarotonga Airport Guide is a great place to start planning your visit. Here, you’ll find information on services and facilities available inside the airport – including details about airport lounges, WiFi, mobile charging points, lockers, 24-hour food options, nearby hotels, and everything in between.
Quick Links
A great place to sleep. The beauty of Rarotonga Airport is that it has very few flights which makes for easy sleeping. – a traveller
RAR Airport Overview
To help you plan your layover or overnight sleepover, here is a quick run-down about what to expect during your time at Rarotonga International Airport.
What to Expect
Rarotonga Airport (code: RAR) has a small, rustic, open-air terminal. Facilities include three cafes inside the terminal and a few small shops, all operating according to the day’s flight schedule. A hotel on-site also has an eatery. WiFi is available for a fee.
Sleeping in Rarotonga Airport
Travellers who’ve slept here report that airport staff take no issue with overnight campers, but you’ll want to come prepared for the elements: the terminal is open-air but covered with a roof. Consider using a sleeping bag or even a hammock. For uninterrupted sleep, one hotel is just opposite the terminal entrance. Nearby hotels offer shuttle service for a fee. See the Airport Hotels section below for locations.
Read the latest traveller airport reviews for more tips. For more airport information, continue scrolling down to explore more in our Rarotonga Airport Guide.
In this guide we may refer to locations as “landside” and “airside”. Landside is the public area of the terminal located in the non-secure zone, before security. Airside is the secure area of the terminal that you must reach by going through security.
Airport Hours
A reader tells us, “Airport is open whenever the flights come and go, pretty much 24 hours. For domestic flights this is 6:00am to 22:00pm and for international flights, it varies by day and airline. but most flights are between 2pm and 2am, with air nz and air Rarotonga open regular work hours 8-4 Monday to Friday.” (Pashraro / March 2023)
Rest & Relaxation Zones
No dedicated sleeping areas, quiet areas or rest zones exist. If this information has changed, click here to update this guide.
Cots
The airport does not provide cots to stranded travellers. If this has changed, click here to update the guide.
Airport Hotels
If sleeping in the airport sounds like a nightmare, there are hotels near Rarotonga Airport:
- The Islander Hotel – A 2-minute walk from the terminal. No airport shuttle. » Check Rates
- Rarotonga Backpackers / Airport Lodge – 100m from the terminal. » Check Rates
For more options, visit Tripadvisor to see a list of hotels near Rarotonga Airport that can be sorted by price, distance, traveller rating and popularity.
Airport Lounges
Pay-per-use, Single Visit Passes & Lounge Memberships
Regardless of what class of service you are flying, there is a lounge that you can enter through a lounge membership program (i.e. Koru Club).
Air New Zealand Lounge – Location: Airside, International Departures. Lounge Access: Lounge membership programs.
Drinking Water
Information is unavailable. Does Rarotonga Airport have water fountains or water bottle refill stations? Click here to update this guide.
Food & Drinks
Food options are available landside and airside, including several cafés inside the terminal and additional options on airport grounds.
Luggage Storage & Lockers
Short-term baggage storage is available:
- The Islander Hotel – Approx. NZD $5 per bag. Located opposite the terminal.
- Air Rarotonga – Short- and long-term storage available for passengers travelling to outer islands. Approx. NZD $5 per bag or NZD $10 per oversized item (e.g., surfboards). Arrange at the Air Rarotonga check-in desk during service hours.
Mobile Charging
At the time of this update, we had no information about mobile charging availability. If you know, click here to update this airport guide.
Showers
Showers are available in the Air New Zealand Lounge. See Airport Lounges.
WiFi/Internet
WiFi is available. A reader reports:
- Free WiFi – Available airside for up to 1 hour via Vodafone hotspot
- Paid WiFi – Available landside through Vodafone and Air Rarotonga, approx. NZD $10 per GB (November 2023)
Security & Safety
Sleeping in any airport can include a certain level of risk, especially when travelling alone. It’s important to take certain precautions to ensure your safety and the security of your valuables. Here are a few tips:
- Safety First. It’s a good idea to know where the security office is located and look for video cameras where you plan to sleep. You can also ask the security personnel for advice on the safest places to spend the night.
- Don’t Seclude Yourself. If you’re travelling alone, we recommend you stay near other travellers or close to security. This will help you feel more secure and deter potential thieves.
- Hide Your Valuables. It’s also important to hide your valuables. Don’t leave them out in plain view, as this could make you a target for theft. Additionally, if you are a deep sleeper, you may want to padlock your bag to something or sleep with your bag up against a wall to make it harder for someone to access zippers and pockets. We have received reports of sleepers who woke up without their phones and laptop bags. The travellers were left with just their headphones and laptop bag strap.
- Stay Alert. It’s best to stay alert and awake if you feel unsafe or uncomfortable. Drink coffee or other caffeinated beverages to help you stay awake, and remember that you can always catch up on sleep during your flight. These simple precautions can help you enjoy a safe night at the airport.
More Airport Information
Note: Locations, hours, and rates may change. Information is provided for general reference only.
- ATMs / Cash Machines – ATMs are available in the International Arrivals area. Fees may apply.
- Baggage Trolleys – Baggage trolleys are available. Rates are not confirmed.
- Duty-Free and Shopping – Duty-free shops and a small selection of souvenir stores are available.
Airport Transfers
Raro Tours, Tiare Transport and Natura Holidays offer meet-and-greet airport transfer services. Contact your service provider of choice for details.
Bus
Cook Buses city bus service links the airport to the rest of the island, with departures available every 30 minutes. Buses running clockwise stop at the RSA Club across the road from the airport parking lot, just 70m from Arrivals. Buses running counterclockwise stop by a small tree near the Air New Zealand office.
Car and Scooter Rental
Avis and Polynesian Rentals are available onsite in the Arrivals area. Island Car and Bike Hire is located near the airport parking exit.
Hotel Shuttles
At the time of this update, we could not find any hotels offering an airport shuttle. See also Airport Hotels above.
Taxi
Taxis are available at the taxi rank located near the Arrivals area.
Last updated: 2026-03-24
This guide is for informational purposes only to assist with your planning. All information, including rates and hours, is subject to change at any time without notice. The information in this airport guide is based on information collected and/or received from the airports, lounges, hotels, transportation providers, and their websites. We are not representatives of any of the above-mentioned service providers. To report errors or to add/update any items mentioned in the guide: update the airport guide or write a review.