Port Vila & Efate Transport Guide: 10 Ways to Get There (& Around)

Most travellers get to Port Vila by international flight. The majority of international flights depart from Brisbane, Australia, taking around three hours. Flights are also available from Sydney, Australia, Auckland, New Zealand, Nadi, Fiji, Honiara, Solomon Islands and Nouméa, New Caledonia. Port Vila's (and Vanuatu's) main international airport is Bauerfield Airport, located just 6 km (4 mi) from the city centre.

Find out more about which airlines fly to Vanuatu, as well as how to get a good deal in Which Airlines Fly to Port Vila & Vanuatu? LINK#T027

Note that upon arrival, you will be asked questions concerning biosecurity. Learn more about the arrival formalities in our guide, Arriving in Port Vila: Airport Customs, Biosecurity & the Arrival Process LINK#TT003.

Note that Bauerfield Airport has connecting domestic flights to other islands in Vanuatu, such as Espiritu Santo and Tanna. Find out more on the subject in Domestic Flights in Vanuatu: Your Guide to Interisland Flights.

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

There is a decent selection of car rental companies on Efate - all based in Port Vila. 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 Port Vila Bauerfield 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 Port Vila and Efate in a unique and fun way and at your own pace, did you know it is possible to hire 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.

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 Port Vila and able to take you anywhere around the island, taxis provide a convenient way to get from A to B.

Taxis don't run on meters in Vanuatu, so it's best to agree on a fare before accepting a ride.

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, Port Vila's local buses (more like minivans) are a popular way for locals to get around Port Vila and the surrounding area.

Buses can be identified with a "B" plate and mainly operate in and around Port Vila.

Just wave down a van, tell the driver where you want to go, and they'll work it into their made-up schedule.

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 Bauerfield 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, there is a wide range of tour and transfer companies who will be more than delighted to whisk you away to your resort or hotel.

Needless to say, all 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 Efate, consider a guided tour.

Tour companies are available across Port Vila and include accommodation pick-up and drop-off, as well as transport between sights, all conveniently part of the fully guided experiences.

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

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

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

Cruise passengers typically enter Efate from Port Vila Harbour.

From there, passengers spend the day exploring Port Vila or travelling around the island on island tours, like those listed in the 10 Best Shore Excursions in Vanuatu.

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

It is possible to get to Port Vila via the sea from Espiritu Santo, Malekula, Tanna and more.

There are regular ferry connections to Port Vila, with ferries departing Luganville on Espiritu Santo LINK#D053 once or twice a week, passing Malekula LINK#D035 on the way.

Regular ferry/boat services operate frequently between Port Vila and its surrounding offshore islands of Hideaway Island and Iririki Island, and other nearby islands. Meanwhile, boats also depart from Havannah on Efate's east coast to Moso Island and Lelepa, while there are also boats between Emua and Nguna and Pele Islands.

Find out more about ferry travel in Vanuatu in our Vanuatu Ferry Guide: How to Use the Ferry for Interisland Travel in Vanuatu. While more on boat transfers can be found in How to Catch a Boat Transfer in Vanuatu: The Complete Guide LINK#T023.

Port Vila on Efate is an official port of entry for Vanuatu.

For the rare few who arrive on Efate 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 Luganville or Lenakel.

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