Vanuatu Transport & Getting Around

Transport & Getting Around

Located 6km north of Port Vila, Vanuatu’s international airport is called Bauerfield. It has adequate services for travellers, including ATMs, currency exchange, cafes, bars, tourist information and accommodation booths, car rental desks and duty-free shopping. The airport is serviced by Air Pacific, Air Vanuatu, Aircalin, Pacific Blue and Qantas Airways. Within Vanuatu, there are a number of domestic air companies such as Vanair, Sea Air, Air Club Vila and Helikopta Compani for air travel between the islands. There are 29 other airports across Vanuatu with facilities and frequencies of flights proportional to the size of the population and tourist trade that they service. Transport between the islands is also possible with boating companies such as Ifira Shipping Agencies and Toara Coastal Shipping.

There are many taxis in the major centres of Vanuatu. A taxi from Port Vila airport to the city centre will cost around VUV1500. Buses or vans are also plentiful and usually cost VUV100 per person. Passengers are required to hail these small 10 seater vans as they pass by. Many of the major resorts and hotels offer a courtesy airport shuttle service for their guests. Reasonable transfer shuttles can also be arranged at the airport through transfer and tour operators.

International vehicle rental companies such as Hertz, Avis and Budget offer rental cars on Efate and Espiritu Santo. Rental vehicles are modern and well maintained. Expect to pay a hefty collision waiver fee, perhaps due to the poor state of many of the roads (especially after rain), and possibly the kava-induced state of other drivers on the roads! Vehicles are driven on the right side of the road as in the US & most of Europe. Scooters are also available for hire on the larger more populated islands.