By plane
Just to the east of Apia is Fagalii airport IATA: FGI. This is used by Polynesian Airlines (http://www.polynesianairl...) for flights from American Samoa. There are usually five or six flights a day.
The main international airport, Faleolo IATA: APW, is approximately a 45-minute drive from Apia. There are several banks at the airport and changing money on arrival is no problem, even though many flights arrive at inconvenient times. Most of the major hotels provide a transfer service on request, often free of charge. There are abundant taxis, and local buses during daytime. If you want to use the local bus, head straight to the main road and go where the locals wait. Ignore taxi-drivers who will want to make you believe there are no local buses.
Air New Zealand
(http://www.pacificislands...) provides six flights per week from Auckland and also flies weekly between Auckland-Tonga-Apia-Los Angeles.Virgin Samoa
(http://www.virginaustrali...), a subsidiary of Virgin Australia, has started flying to Apia from several cities in Australia and New Zealand, i.e. Sydney, Brisbane, Townsville, Melbourne and Auckland.Air Pacific
(http://www.airpacific.com/) has three flights a week from Nadi in Fiji.If flights permit, try to arrive in daylight. From above, the lagoon is a stunning aquamarine colour. The ride between the airport and Apia is also very attractive.
Note that shops and restaurants close early and most hotels do not offer 24-hour room service. So if you arrive late at night still hungry after airline food it might be a good idea to pick up something at the airport.
By ship
A twice-monthly service by the MV Tokelau connects Apia Harbour with Tokelau.
Depending on the season, people sail their yachts to Samoa and dock at Apia. There are good facilities close to the main port, with 60 berths offering electricity, fresh water and 24-hour security. Visiting boats must arrive in Apia and should contact the Samoa Port Authority at least two days before ETA to arrange necessary clearances on arrival. Permission is required to sail elsewhere in Samoa.
Ports and harbours include Apia, Asau, Mulifanua, Salelologa. Container ships and cruise liners dock in Apia Harbour or Salelologa, but many smaller fishing boats and village boats use the smaller docks.
You can sail to or from Samoa by Tallship. The STV Soren Larsen, from New Zealand, sails through there each winter. See (http://www.sorenlarsen.co.nz/)