Espiritu Santo Transport Guide: 10 Ways to Get There (& Around)

Most travellers get to Santo on flights from Port Vila, as well as international flights from Brisbane, Australia. Brisbane also makes a good stopover if you're coming from further afield.

Vanuatu's main airport for Santo is Santo-Pekoa International Airport, which is located about 10-15 minutes from downtown Luganville on the southern coast of Espiritu Santo. There are also direct connections to the outer islands of Gaua, Sola and Mota Lava.

Find out about international airlines travelling to Santo in our guide, as well as how to get a good deal in Which Airlines Fly Directly to Vanuatu? LINK#T027

And learn more about flights from Port Vila in our guide to Domestic Flights in Vanuatu: Your Guide to Interisland Flights.

A popular and convenient way to travel around Espiritu Santo at your own pace is by renting a car.

There is a decent selection of car rental companies on Espiritu Santo - all based in Luganville. Be sure to do your research using the 10 Best Car Rentals in Vanuatu LINK#T007.

Better yet, most car rentals can drop off your vehicle at Santo-Pekoa International Airport (or provide transfers), making transportation a non-issue as soon as you land.

We also recommend that you become familiar with the local road rules, which we outline in How to Drive in Vanuatu + 10 Road Rules You Need to Know.

If you're keen to explore Santo in a unique and fun way and at your own pace, we're big fans of hiring a quad bike or buggy. Yes, it is legal to drive these bad boys on the roads in Vanuatu!

The island's sealed and unsealed roads offer excellent access to remote areas, making it a brilliant way to get around independently and reach those hidden gems.

Turtle Bay Lodge has quad bikes and two/four-seater road buggies.

For more tips on quad and buggy hire, check out Quad & Scooter Rental in Vanuatu: Where to Rent, Cost & More LINK#T032.

Readily available from Luganville and able to take you anywhere (with a road) around the island, taxis provide a convenient way to get from A to B.

With many more taxi drivers than there are buses, taxis offer a much more reliable public transport option for getting around Santo.

Your accommodation provider should be able to get in touch with the nearest one.

Learn more about how taxis work in our guide, Taxis in Vanuatu: Taxi Fares, How to Use & More LINK#T038.

Ultra-cheap and a real local experience, Santo's local buses (more like minivans) are a popular way for locals to get around the island.

With no real schedule and much less abundant than taxis, however, they should only be considered as a transport option if you've got the time to take it easy.

Buses can be identified with a "B" plate and operate from Luganville, and there are options to travel to both the east and south coasts of the island.

Find out more about taking the bus in our guide, Taking the Bus in Vanuatu: Bus Fares, Routes & More.

A simple way to get between Santo-Pekoa Airport and your accommodation is to book a transfer with your accommodation provider or with a transfer company.

While some resorts and lodges offer airport transfers, they might not always be included in your rate, so be sure to ask. Most of the time, accommodations will arrange with taxis or transfer companies on your behalf.

If you want to arrange a transfer independently, Atmosphere Tours & Transfers is a reliable option.

Needless to say, airport transfers should be arranged prior to arrival.

Compare all of your options for getting to and from the airport in the 10 Best Airport Transfers in Vanuatu.

If you don't want to find your own way around Espiritu Santo, consider a guided tour.

Not only do some accommodations offer their own selection of island tours, including transport to each of Santo's sightseeing highlights, but independent tour companies are also available across Luganville and include accommodation pick-ups.

Check out island tours in our 10 Best Day Tours in Santo & Vanuatu.

It's also worth noting that many tour operators offer accommodation transfers, even if you're doing a waterfall tour, horse riding or something else.

For a quick visit to Espiritu Santo, the island is on the itinerary of several South Pacific cruises.

Cruise passengers typically enter Espiritu Santo from Luganville Wharf. From there, passengers spend the day exploring Luganville or travelling around the island on island tours, like those listed in the 10 Best Shore Excursions in Vanuatu.

Find out which cruises visit Espiritu Santo in the 10 Best Cruises that Go to Vanuatu LINK#T013.

It is possible to get to Espiritu Santo via the sea from Port Vila and the surrounding islands.

There are regular ferry connections to Santo, with ferries departing Port Vila on Efate once or twice a week.

Meanwhile, on Santo, regular ferry/boat services operate frequently between Santo and its surrounding offshore islands of Malo Island and Aore Island and other nearby islands.

Travelling from Santo to the Banks Islands or Penama Province is less formal, so it's best to enquire locally to arrange boat transport from Luganville.

Find out more about ferry travel in Vanuatu, particularly between the islands, in our Vanuatu Ferry Guide: How to Use the Ferry for Interisland Travel in Vanuatu.

Luganville on Espiritu Santo is an official port of entry for Vanuatu.

For the rare few who arrive on Espiritu Santo by private yacht, you will need to go through the clearance process unless you have already obtained a domestic cruising permit from another Port of Entry, like Port Vila.

Find out more about visiting Vanuatu via yacht and the protocols involved in our Sailing Guide to Vanuatu: Tips for Yachting in Vanuatu.