Tanna Transport Guide: 8 Ways to Get to (& Around) Tanna

The quickest way to reach Tanna is by hopping on one of the domestic flights from Port Vila Airport. You'll find flights operating daily with one or two departures per day.

These scenic flights take around 40-60 minutes in small aircraft seating 15 to 19 people. The main hurdle you'll face is the limited baggage allowance, so pack light!

What we love about these flights is that they land on Whitegrass Airport's paved runway with top safety features on site—unlike many of its South Pacific neighbours.

For all the details on schedules and booking, check out our Domestic Flights in Vanuatu: Your Guide to Interisland Flights.

The ferry service to Tanna offers an authentic island-hopping experience, though it's quite the adventure. The MV Tanna Ferry and MV Tauraken carry passengers, goods and vehicles on the Port Vila - Erromango - Tanna route, with occasional extensions to Aneityum.

The journey south to Tanna is notably rougher due to ocean currents, making for a more challenging crossing. The ferry schedule varies depending on cargo needs and weather conditions, so there's always a bit of mystery to your itinerary.

The captain decides the exact route and timing based on conditions and cargo requirements, so flexibility is key when planning your trip.

This is definitely the most budget-friendly way to reach Tanna by sea. For all the details on schedules and booking, check out our Vanuatu Ferry Guide: How to Use Inter-Island Ferry Services.

Here's the good news about getting around Tanna: your accommodation hosts have got your back from the moment you arrive. They won't leave you stranded at the airport (as long as you arrange before arrival), so when you're booking your stay, simply arrange for a pickup at the same time.

This is not often where your accommodation's transport services end. Hosts also often offer transport or "tours" to Tanna's attractions like Mt Yasur, Yakel Village and more, or even into town if you need to grab supplies.

There is a price every time for this, so be prepared with cash - typically VT$5,000 to get to Lenakel from the Mt Yasur area (or vice versa).

Check out your accommodation options in the Where to Stay on Tanna: 20 Best Accommodations LINK#A081, as well as which accommodations are closest to each attraction in the 10 Free & Cheap Things to Do on Tanna.

If navigating Tanna's rugged terrain on your own feels daunting, guided tours are an excellent way to explore the island's top attractions without the stress.

While many accommodation hosts offer their own tours, there are independent tour operators who specialise in showing you multiple attractions in a single day. They'll handle all the logistics for you, including those tricky customs and kastom fees (which are usually included in the tour price), so you can focus on soaking up experiences like the Blue Cave, Yakal Village or Mt Yasur.

We personally recommend Tanna Volcano Transfers & Tours, which offers everything from volcano visits to cultural experiences, plus they'll sort your airport transfers too. Tanna Adventures is another operator we've heard good things about.

For more information, check out the 10 Best Sightseeing Tours in Vanuatu.

Walking is one of our favourite ways to explore Tanna, particularly around the smaller villages and attractions scattered across the island. With limited traffic on most roads, you'll find it's an incredibly peaceful way to take in the scenery at your own pace.

Around Lenakel, we've found it's quite manageable to walk around the town centre where many of the shops and services are located. However, the distances between major attractions like Mt Yasur, Port Resolution and Louniel Waterfall are quite considerable; you'll definitely want to consider arranging transport for those journeys.

Again, for detailed information on which accommodations are near specific attractions, check out our Free and Cheap Things to Do in Tanna guide. You'll also find helpful location information in our Where to Stay in Tanna article LINK#A081.

If you're looking for a more exclusive way to get to Tanna or are short on time but don't want to miss Mt Yasur, chartered flights from Port Vila are your ticket to making it happen. These flights make a day trip to Tanna completely doable, so you can witness the volcano's fiery spectacle and still be back for dinner.

We're particularly drawn to the scenic flight options, which offer a whole new perspective of both the volcano and the island itself. There's something magical about seeing Mt Yasur's glowing crater from above, looking right into the crater of this lavary giant.

For more details on your flight options, check out our Domestic Flights in Vanuatu: Your Guide to Interisland Flights and 5 Best Scenic Flights in Vanuatu LINK#TTD020 guides.

If you're lucky enough to have your own yacht, sailing to Tanna is absolutely doable, though you'll need to clear customs at the official port of entry in Lenakel before exploring the island's coastline.

Then, Port Resolution offers one of Vanuatu's best anchorages, making it your ideal destination for a safe and comfortable stay. It is home to the village-run Port Resolution Nipikimanu Yacht Club, which offers bungalow accommodation, a restaurant and stunning surroundings for undemanding yachties, making it your best bet for both anchorage and onshore facilities.

For more detailed information, check out our Sailing Guide to Vanuatu: Tips for Yachting in Vanuatu.

Finding taxis on Tanna is quite different from what you might expect on Efate. Don't be surprised if your "taxi" turns out to be a pick-up truck!

Your best bet for finding local transport is in Lenakel town centre near the market. You can also try waving one down along the roadside if you're feeling lucky, though they're not as frequent as you might hope.

For a short journey like Lenakel to Yakel Village, expect to pay around VT$5,000. However, if you're heading to the Mt Yasur area on the east side of the island, the fare will be significantly higher.

As nowhere is particularly "close" on Tanna, expect your taxi driver to be waiting to transport you to the next destination when you're finished.

We recommend agreeing on the fare before you hop in; it'll save you any awkward conversations at the end of your journey!

For more about how taxis work in Tanna, check out Taxis in Vanuatu: Taxi Fares, How to Use & More LINK#T038.