Is Samoa expensive? What things really cost in 2026
Short answer
Samoa is moderately priced for the South Pacific: cheaper than Fiji's resort islands, Tahiti or the Cook Islands, but more expensive than Southeast Asia because many goods are imported. A budget day is about WS$170 per person, mid-range about WS$410 and comfort about WS$900. Beach fales with meals included are excellent value; car hire and flights in are the big costs.
Daily budget: backpacker, mid-range, luxury
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | WS$70 | WS$180 | WS$450 |
| Food & drink | WS$50 | WS$100 | WS$200 |
| Sights & tickets | WS$20 | WS$50 | WS$100 |
| Local transport | WS$30 | WS$80 | WS$150 |
| Per person, per day | WS$170 | WS$410 | WS$900 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Samoa day-cost table.
What things cost
| Item | Typical price* |
|---|---|
| Taxi from Faleolo Airport to Apia | roughly WS$70-90 |
| Fiafia night with buffet dinner | about WS$60-90 |
| Robert Louis Stevenson Museum tour | about WS$25-30 |
| To Sua Ocean Trench | about WS$20 |
| Village customary fee at a site | often WS$5-20 |
| Ferry Upolu to Savai'i, per person | roughly WS$15 |
| Beach fale with dinner and breakfast | about WS$90-150 per person |
| Apia hotel double | WS$300-500 |
* Approximate prices, October 2026. They change with season and exchange rates.
Where the money goes
Rooms are the largest cost if you stay in hotels or resorts, but beach fales, which usually include two meals, keep it low. Transport is the second big expense: most visitors rent a car, and taxis between the airport, Apia and the coast are not cheap. Sights mostly charge small customary fees to the villages that own them. Imported food and drinks in supermarkets and resorts cost more than in New Zealand.
When it is cheaper
The wet season from November to April usually brings lower resort rates, sometimes by roughly 20-30%. The dry season (May to October), New Zealand and Australian school holidays and the Teuila Festival in September are busier.
How to spend less
- Stay in beach fales, which include dinner and breakfast in the price.
- Ride the colourful local buses for short trips; fares are a few tālā.
- Carry small notes for customary village fees at beaches, waterfalls and pools.
- Buy fruit, coconut buns and snacks at the Maketi Fou market in Apia.
- Share a rental car for the drive round Upolu and Savai'i.
- Eat at local cafés in Apia rather than resort restaurants.
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Common questions
How much does a day in Samoa cost?
About WS$170 per person on a budget, WS$410 mid-range and WS$900 for comfort, including accommodation.
Are beach fales good value?
Yes; most include dinner and breakfast, for about WS$90-150 per person.
Why do I pay fees at beaches in Samoa?
Most land belongs to villages, which charge small customary fees, often WS$5-20, for access.