Rarotonga International Airport
Avarua, Cook Islands
Rarotonga International Airport
Gateway to the Cook Islands in the South Pacific.
- ›The airport's single runway (IATA code 08/26) is approximately 2,683 metres long.
- ›Air Rarotonga uses Rarotonga as its main hub for inter-island services to the outer Cook Islands.
- ›The airport is situated at approximately 1 metre above sea level on the northern coastal flat of Rarotonga.
- ›International flights primarily connect to Auckland, Sydney, and other Pacific destinations.
- ›The Cook Islands uses New Zealand dollars as its currency, reflecting close ties with New Zealand reflected in airline traffic.
Rarotonga International Airport is the principal international gateway to the Cook Islands, situated on the northern coast of Rarotonga just minutes from the capital Avarua. Opened in its current form in the 1970s, the airport serves as the hub for Air Rarotonga's inter-island network and handles international flights from New Zealand, Australia, and beyond. Its compact, open-air character reflects the relaxed island spirit that greets every arriving passenger.
- Main Terminal — A single, compact terminal handling both international and domestic arrivals and departures with a relaxed, open-air tropical atmosphere.
- Taxi services available directly outside the terminal
- Car rental desks (Avis, Polynesian Rental Cars) within the terminal
- Scooter and bicycle rentals available nearby
- Shuttle transfers arranged by most resort hotels
- Circle-island bus route accessible from the airport road
- Edgewater Resort & Spa
- Muri Beach Club Hotel
- Crown Beach Resort & Spa
- Rarotonga Backpackers
- The Rarotongan Beach Resort & Lagoonarium
Inside the terminal, dining options are limited to a small café and bar suitable for light meals and refreshments before departure. The nearby Avarua town centre, just a short taxi or bus ride away, offers a wider variety of local eateries, bakeries, and casual restaurants serving fresh seafood and island cuisine. Many resorts also operate their own restaurants accessible to non-guests.
- Confirm your departure tax is included in your ticket, as older bookings may require a separate payment at the airport.
- The terminal is small and fills quickly during peak departures — arrive at least two hours before international flights.
- Currency exchange facilities are limited, so carry New Zealand dollars or exchange money in Avarua beforehand.
- Many hotels and resorts offer complimentary or low-cost airport transfers — confirm this when booking to save on taxi fares.
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Rarotonga International Airport is the Cook Islands' main international gateway, located in the Avarua district on the northern coast of Rarotonga, 3 km (1.9 mi) west of the Avarua downtown area. The airport was built in 1944, then expanded in the early 1970s, and officially opened for jets in January 1974. International flights come direct from Australia, French Polynesia, New Zealand and the United States (Hawaii). Air Rarotonga has its headquarters at the airport.
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