Rota International Airport (ROP) sits on the plateau near the village of Sinapalo, about 15 to 20 minutes’ drive from Songsong. Small-aircraft services link Rota with Saipan, and at times with Guam; each flight takes about half an hour. Services are limited, seats are few and schedules have changed often, so check directly with the airline before you plan anything else — our getting there page explains how the inter-island flights work. There is no passenger ferry. Entry rules for the Northern Mariana Islands differ from Guam’s in some respects; see the travel guide.
Routes at a glance
| From | Best route | Time | Approx. cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saipan (SPN) | Small-aircraft flight from the commuter terminal to Rota (ROP) | About 30 min in the air | Varies — check current fares |
| Guam (GUM) | Small-aircraft flight when operating; otherwise via Saipan | About 30 min direct; half a day via Saipan | Varies — check directly |
| Tinian (TIQ) | Usually via Saipan; occasional charters | Varies with the connection | Varies |
| Rota airport (ROP) | Pre-booked hire car or hotel pick-up to Songsong | About 15–20 min | By arrangement with your hotel |
| Songsong | Hire car to Teteto Beach on the north-west coast | About 10–15 min | Fuel only |
| Songsong | Hire car to I Chenchon Bird Sanctuary, partly unpaved | About 25–30 min | Fuel only |
Getting around Rota
Car hire: you need one. Rota has no public transport and no regular taxis. Only a few hire cars are available on the island, so reserve ahead and confirm that the car will be at the airport when you land. You drive on the right, slowly, and you wave.
Roads: the road between the airport, Sinapalo and Songsong is paved; several of the roads to the sights are coral or dirt, passable in an ordinary car when dry but rough after rain. Ask about conditions on the Sabana before driving up. Fuel is available in the villages — do not let the tank run low.
On foot: Songsong itself is small enough to walk, including Tonga Cave and the harbour. Everything else is a drive.
