Currency in Wallis and Futuna Islands: XPF Send & Spend FX Guide
Resources for Expats, Travelers, and Entrepreneurs Navigating Life and Trade in the Wallis and Futuna Islands with the CFP franc.
What's in this Wallis and Futuna Islands currency guide?
What currency is used in the Wallis and Futuna Islands?
The official currency of the Wallis and Futuna Islands (country code: WF) is the CFP franc, with symbol F and currency code XPF.
What is a good CFP franc exchange rate?
The BestExchangeRates.com currency comparison table below helps you see the total cost of your currency transaction by showing the exchange rates offered by different providers. It also makes it easy to spot potential savings from market-leading FX services compared to bank rates.
To see a full list of rates, enter your transaction type, currencies and amount then click ‘GET RATES’:
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Good things to know about the CFP franc
The CFP franc (XPF) is the currency of four French overseas collectives (collectivités d'outre-mer, or COM) that include French Polynesia, New Caledonia and Wallis and Futuna. The CFP franc is also referred to as the franc pacifique since it is used in the Pacific Ocean region. The initials CFP originally stood for Colonies Françaises du Pacifique (“French colonies of the Pacific”). As with the old French franc the CFP franc is broken into subunits called centimes.
For more XPF information check out our selection of CFP franc news and guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What currency should I use in the Wallis and Futuna Islands?
The domestic currency in the Wallis and Futuna Islands is the CFP franc.
What is the CFP franc currency code and symbol?
The three letter currency code for the CFP franc is XPF — symbol is F.
What does the CFP franc look like?
Here is an example CFP franc banknote:
Which countries use the CFP franc?
It is the domestic currency in French Polynesia, New Caledonia and Wallis and Futuna Islands.
Is the CFP franc a closed currency?
No, the CFP franc is freely available and convertible. See guide: What is a closed currency?
What are equivalent amounts of USD and XPF?
Here are some popular conversion amounts for USD to XPF (US dollar to CFP franc)*.
*Converted at the current USDXPF interbank exchange rate. Calculate actual payout amounts for Send Money and Travel Money exchange rates.
Travel money for the Wallis and Futuna Islands
Using Wise for CFP franc travel money is a smart choice for savvy travelers. With its competitive exchange rates and low fees, Wise allows you to convert and manage multiple currencies effortlessly.
Be careful when using your own bank's Debit/Credit Card, as your bank may also charge an extra 3% as an “Overseas Transaction Charge” plus “Overseas ATM” fees for withdrawing cash on top of the standard Visa/Mastercard 2.5% from market mid-rate.
For card purchases, if you are offered a choice of currencies always select to Pay in CFP franc otherwise you will typically get much worst dynamic currency conversion (DCC) exchange rates.
If you really want CFP franc cash before departure, you can save money by ordering online. You generally get better rates and can pick up the XPF cash locally or even on travel day at the airport.
Wallis and Futuna Islands: Travel Guide
Traveling to the Wallis and Futuna Islands requires careful financial planning to ensure a smooth and cost-effective experience. Here's a comprehensive guide to help you navigate currency considerations and manage your money effectively during your visit.
The CFP franc (XPF) is the currency of four French overseas collectives (collectivités d'outre-mer, or COM) that include French Polynesia, New Caledonia and Wallis and Futuna.
The CFP franc is also referred to as the franc pacifique since it is used in the Pacific Ocean region. The initials CFP originally stood for Colonies Françaises du Pacifique (“French colonies of the Pacific”). As with the old French franc the CFP franc is broken into subunits called centimes.
There is no ATM in Futuna, so take whatever cash you will need. Try to learn some French before you go. On Wallis, the Banque de Wallis et Futuna has the only ATM in the territory and is located in Mata-Utu.
Travel hints for Wallis and Futuna Islands.
Wallis and Futuna don't have much in common except for the fact that they are both French territories that have been grouped together as one. In fact, the two island groups lie about 260 kilometres apart.
The overwhelming majority (99%) of the people in Wallis and Futuna are Catholics, served by their own Roman Catholic Diocese of Wallis and Futuna. The culture of Wallis and Futuna is Polynesian, and is very similar to the cultures of its neighbouring nations Samoa and Tonga.
How do you travel in the Wallis and Futuna Islands?
Getting to Wallis and Futuna is tricky because there are no boats or ferries travelling to these isolated islands. However, you can take a plane which would be considered more convenient than a boat by most travellers. Aircalin, a small airline carrier, flies to the Wallis and Futuna airports from New Caledonia three times a week and from Noumea twice a week. Travellers to Wallis and Futuna will want to secure connection flights to these destinations in advance. On Wallis, you can move around the smaller islands via commercial boat hire. On Futuna, local fisherman can take you to nearby islets for a small fee. Because there is no public transportation in Wallis and Futuna, car hire is the best way to get around.
Wallis and Futuna are very small and finding accommodation can be a challenge. However, there are a few hotels on Wallis that are very comfortable and reasonably priced. On Futuna, there is no commercial accommodation or guest houses. Visitors will stay as guests in local guest houses.
Everyday Costs in in Wallis and Futuna Islands
How much does it really cost to live, work, or travel in Wallis and Futuna Islands? Here's what to expect for daily expenses and expat living.
Currency Guide: Wallis and Futuna (WF)
For a traveler planning a one-week mid-range stay in Wallis and Futuna, a budget of approximately 1,500–2,000 XPF (Pacific Franc) per day is a practical estimate. This would include accommodations, meals, and some leisure activities. Here's a short breakdown of typical daily expenses in the local currency:
- 🍽️ Meal at a local restaurant: 1,500 XPF
- ☕ Coffee: 300 XPF
- 🚌 Public transport fare: 500 XPF
- 📱 Prepaid SIM card: 1,000 XPF
- 🏨 Budget hotel or Airbnb: 10,000 XPF
Overall, visitors will find Wallis and Futuna to be on the more expensive side compared to the United States. The cost of dining and accommodation tends to be higher due to the isolation and limited availability of goods. When you compare it to the UK, travelers might find Wallis and Futuna slightly cheaper, but when stacked against Australia, the Republic's costs for meals and accommodations tend to be higher due to its smaller economy and tourist infrastructure.
Expat Living in Wallis and Futuna
For expatriates living in Wallis and Futuna, monthly living costs can average around 200,000 to 300,000 XPF, which includes rent, groceries, and other necessities. Housing can be particularly variable, depending on location and amenities. It's advisable for expats to look into local banking options, as local residents often use both cash and cards. Using credit or debit cards is common, but confirm with your bank about foreign transaction fees before your departure.
When it comes to handling money, expats may find it more convenient to use online transfer services like Wise or OFX for sending and receiving money, especially if they need to exchange currencies from larger economies. While local exchanges are available, they often come with less favorable rates, making online services a better option for maintaining a budget-friendly lifestyle in the islands.
USD/XPF Market Data
The below interactive chart displays the USD/XPF change and UP📈 DOWN📉 trends over the past 1 Year.
Recent CFP franc Market News
The CFP franc (XPF) is fixed to the Euro so the EURXPF exchange rate should not fluctuate very much.
For more XPF information read our News and guides to the CFP franc.
Send Money to the Wallis and Futuna Islands - Best Rates
To get a good (and fair) exchange rate when sending money to the Wallis and Futuna Islands you need to find and compare exchange rates for International Money Transfers (IMTs).
The available FX rates for sending money abroad can be very different to the mid-market (wholesale) rate which you see reported online and in the News.
You should especially compare your own bank's exchange rates to those available from Money Transfer specialists to see how much you can save - we make that calculation easy in the below table.
Get a better deal for foreign transfers to the Wallis and Futuna Islands
When sending money to the Wallis and Futuna Islands it’s important to compare your bank’s rates & fees with those we have negotiated with our partner money transfer providers. To get a better deal you should follow these 4 simple steps :
- Open an account with a BER reviewed FX provider (id docs may be required)
- You specify the local or CFP franc amount you want to transfer
- Make a local currency domestic transfer for the requested amount to the provider's bank account in your country
- Once your funds are received by the provider the converted XPF amount will be transfered to the recipient account you specify in the Wallis and Futuna Islands.
Use the above calculator to compare the exchange rates of FX specialist providers rates versus your bank's standard rates you can hopefully save around 5% and maybe more - end result is more CFP franc deposited into the recipient bank account and less margins and fees kept by the banks!