Alternative Ways to Travel Around Rarotonga, Aitutaki and the Cook Islands
Real Insights from Real Writers
Don’t be that guy who rents a car to get around the Cook Islands “just because it’s the easy option”. And don’t be that plonker who gets to Rarotonga with no plan for travelling around either!
Be more mindful of how to explore Rarotonga, Aitutaki, or any of the outer islands of the Cook Islands by choosing one of the eco-friendly alternatives to renting a car. We have a few suggestions listed below!
Side note: Our travel tips are from writers who’ve personally explored the Cook Islands, not AI-generated or copied content. We’ve been there, done that, and can’t wait to share our experiences with you! (Scroll to the bottom of the page to learn more about us).
Table of Contents
1. Electric Bikes
Sure, you could rent a normal bicycle – and we’ll get to that later – but the relatively long distances combined with the tropical heat can be a little “too much” for most of us.
Get some extra assistance with an e-bike! E-bikes are a convenient alternative to renting a car on Rarotonga, as they require electricity rather than fuel to travel. E-bikes use pedal assistance to take the exertion out of cycling, which is ideal if you’re looking for an eco-friendly way to travel Rarotonga without too much effort.
Check out rental companies and accommodations that hire out e-bikes in Cycle Rarotonga & the Cook Islands: Where to Rent Bikes & E-Bikes.
© CookIslandsPocketGuide.com2. Electric Cars and Golf Carts
That’s right, Rarotonga and Aitutaki are coming into the 21st Century with a few electric car rentals becoming available on the islands. On Rarotonga, stay at Magic Reef Beachfront Bungalows and you’ll have exclusive access to their late-model electric vehicles, which use solar power to charge, an experience we highly recommend from our last trip.
Those staying in Aitutaki with Etu Moana can rent their electric golf carts. Alternatively, hybrid vehicles are now available on Rarotonga with Rarotonga Rentals – find out more in the 10 Best Car Rentals in Rarotonga.
© CookIslandsPocketGuide.com3. Take the Bus
Taking a public bus has much lower carbon emissions per person compared to driving a rental car around Rarotonga.
Rarotonga has a reliable and frequent bus service that travels clockwise and anticlockwise around the island. It’s also the cheapest way to travel around the island! Discover more about catching the bus in our comprehensive guide, ‘The Bus in Rarotonga: Bus Fares, Timetable & More.’
© CookIslandsPocketGuide.com4. Bicycle
No charging, no emissions; just putting power to the pedal! Bicycles/pushbikes are still worth considering for getting from A to B or taking a scenic ride in the Cook Islands.
Cycling around the entire island of Rarotonga takes approximately 2-3 hours, including a few breaks, and even less time on the outer islands. With that in mind, cycling is good for riding into town or hitting some of the highlights on the back roads, which we cover in the 5 Best Bike Trails in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands.
Learn more about renting a bike in Cycle Rarotonga & the Cook Islands: Where to Rent Bikes & E-Bikes, as well as cycling times in The Cycling Times & Distances in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands.
© CookIslandsPocketGuide.com5. Scooter
The most popular way for locals to get around the Cook Islands is riding a scooter, and visitors can do it too, thanks to the abundance of scooter rentals available!
Scooters produce less carbon than cars because their small size means they use less fuel. They are definitely not the most eco-friendly option on this list, but they are a slightly better alternative to renting a car by yourself.
Check out the 10 Tips for Riding a Scooter in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands for advice on scooter licenses and where to rent a scooter.
© CookIslandsPocketGuide.com6. Hitchhiking
Hitchhiking is legal in the Cook Islands. With the “ridesharing” aspect of travelling producing fewer carbon emissions per person than renting a vehicle, it could be worth trying. However, hitchhiking is one of the least reliable forms of transport in the Cook Islands because you’re likely to be waiting a while for a ride, and you don’t know how many times you’re going to have to catch a ride before you get to your destination.
Learn more about hitchhiking in the Cook Islands with A Travellers’ Guide to Hitchhiking in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands.
© CookIslandsPocketGuide.comMore Eco-Friendly Ways to Travel the Cook Islands
That’s it for our list of eco-friendly alternatives to renting a car in Rarotonga and the Cook Islands. Want some more sustainability tips? Check out these:
- 30 Ways to Travel More Sustainably in the Cook Islands
- 8 Best Eco Resorts in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands
- 10 Best Eco Tours in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands
Finally, check out all of the options for travelling around the Cook Islands, other than just renting a car, in our Cook Islands Transport Guide: 15 Best Ways to Get Around the Cook Islands.
Sources:
The information in this guide has been compiled from our extensive research, travel and experiences across the Cook Islands and the South Pacific, accumulated over more than a decade of numerous visits to each destination. Additional sources for this guide include the following:
- Cook Islands Tourism Corporation (General travel advice - Updated [2025])
- Ministry of Transport (Transport operators and licenses - Updated [2025])
- Cook Islands Tourism Industry Council (Tourism trade association - Updated [2025])
- SPTO (Pacific tourism advice - Updated [2025])
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration (Visa and immigration advice - Updated [2025])
- Ministry of Finance & Economic Management (Border restrictions advice - Updated [2025])
- Ministry of Agriculture (Biosecurity advice - Updated [2025])
- Cook Islands Meteorological Service (Weather forecast and warnings - Updated [2025])
- Cook Islands Statistics Office (Statistics and travel data - Updated [2025])
- Safe Travel (New Zealand travel advisory for the Cook Islands - Updated [2025])
- Smart Traveller (Australia travel advisory for the Cook Islands - Updated [2025])
At Cook Islands Pocket Guide, we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure accurate and quality content.
