Taxis & Trucks in Vanuatu: Taxi Fares, How to Use & More

Taxis in Vanuatu depend very much on where you are. On Efate, particularly around Port Vila, and on Santo, taxis look like the sort of taxi you might expect: small cars, compact town taxis and larger vehicles for longer trips.

Licensed taxis are marked with a “T” on the number plate, which is the easiest way to spot them. Other letters on Vanuatu number plates can also help identify the vehicle type, such as “B” for bus, “H” for hire, “G” for government, “CT” for common transport and “TO” for tour operator.

On Santo, small compact taxis generally operate around the Luganville area and are best used for getting around town. For trips along the east coast or south coast roads, SUV taxis are more common and more practical.

Things get a little more “island-style” on the outer islands. Even on the outer islands of Santo, like Malo and Aore Islands, truck drivers wait at the boat landings to transport passengers around the islands.

On Malekula and Tanna LINK#D071, what travellers might call taxis are often known locally as trucks or “transport”: pick-up trucks or utes carrying passengers from A to B. They are affordable to use for common routes around the main town areas, while they can also be hired as "charters" to cover longer distances. They are more geared toward locals travelling into town for work, often with one run in the morning and one in the afternoon, but savvy travellers can use them if they know where to wait and are flexible with timing.

Taxis are usually more expensive than buses in Port Vila, although they can work out better value if you are travelling in a group. That said, we recommend using buses in Port Vila for most short trips, as they are cheaper, more abundant and usually operate almost door to door. In our experience, taxis in Port Vila have not always been punctual when called, while buses are generally easy to find. See The Guide to Buses in Vanuatu for more on that very handy system.

On Santo, taxis are more abundant and therefore tend to be more reliable. For travel outside town, especially if you are heading along the coast roads, a taxi can be a useful step up from local buses without going all-in on a rental car.

Taxis in Vanuatu are easiest to find on the main visitor islands of Efate and Santo. On the outer islands, look for trucks or common transport rather than expecting a formal taxi rank on every corner (this is not New York, and honestly, that is part of the charm).

Taxis on Efate

Taxis can be found in and around Port Vila, especially outside hotels, in town and at key arrival points. Taxis also wait outside Bauerfield International Airport, making them one of the simplest options when arriving in Vanuatu with bags, jet lag and the strong desire not to think too hard.

For more on transport on Vanuatu’s main island, check out our Efate Transport Guide: 10 Ways to Get to (& Around) Efate.

Taxis on Santo

Taxis on Santo are mostly based around Luganville, where compact cars take passengers around town. For longer trips, such as heading along the east coast or south coast roads, SUV taxis are available and are better suited to the island’s longer drives.

Taxis also wait at Santo-Pekoa Airport, operated by the Pekoa Airport Taxi Association, so getting from the airport into Luganville or onward to your accommodation is usually straightforward.

A few "truck" taxis operate on Malo and Aore Islands, taking passengers around the islands' dirt road.

For more on getting around Vanuatu’s largest island, see Santo Transport Guide: Ways to Get to (& Around) Santo.

Trucks on Malekula and Tanna

On islands like Malekula and Tanna, transport is more likely to be by truck than by a standard taxi. These pick-up trucks or utes are commonly marked as “CT” for common transport and may pick up passengers from the side of the road.

The catch? These services are usually designed around local work schedules rather than tourist sightseeing. That often means a morning run into town and an afternoon run back out, so they work best for flexible travellers who are happy to plan around local routines.

For more on travelling beyond the main islands, check out the Malekula Transport Guide: 10 Ways to Get to (& Around) and Tanna Transport Guide: 10 Ways to Get to (& Around) Tanna.

Getting a taxi in Vanuatu is usually a case of hailing one when you see one, especially in Port Vila or Luganville. Look for vehicles with a “T” on the number plate, wave them down and tell the driver where you are going. They will then quote a price before you hop in.

On the outer islands, such as Malekula and Tanna, you’re more likely to hail down a truck from the side of the road. The driver will ask where you’re heading and let you know the fare, so make sure you are happy with the price before jumping aboard.

Another easy option is to ask your hotel or accommodation to call a taxi for you. Note that, in some areas, this might be a tour company or local transport operator that also provides taxi-style transfers.

There aren’t too many official taxi stands in Vanuatu, but taxis and transport trucks are more likely to wait around the main town or island marketplace, such as Port Vila Central Market, Luganville Market, Lakatoro Market and Lenakel Market. Taxis are also consistently available at Bauerfield International Airport and Santo-Pekoa Airport when arrival flights are scheduled.

Taxis in Vanuatu generally do not run on meters, so agree on the fare before setting off. Prices can often be negotiated, especially for longer trips, day hires or when you are arranging transport through your accommodation.

Note that the prices listed below are approximations. Fares can change depending on the driver, vehicle type, road conditions, waiting time and whether you are booking a private charter.

Taxi Fares on Efate

• Bauerfield Airport to Downtown Port Vila - 2,000 VT
• Bauerfield Airport to Pango (Paradise Cove) - 3,500-4,000 VT
• Bauerfield Airport to Warwick Le Lagon - 3,000 VT
• Bauerfield Airport to Mele Bay (Hideaway Island) - 2,500 VT
• Bauerfield Airport to Mele Bay (Island Magic Resort) - 3,000 VT
• Bauerfield Airport to Havannah Harbour - 8,000 VT
• Bauerfield Airport to Eratap Beach Resort - 5,000 VT
• Downtown Port Vila to Mele Bay - 4,000-5,000 VT
• Downtown Port Vila to Havannah Harbour - 7,000-8,000 VT
• Downtown Port Vila to Eratap - 5,000-6,000 VT
• Downtown Port Vila to Eden on the River - 5,000-6,000 VT
• Downtown Port Vila to Blue Lagoon (Eton) - 7,000-8,000 VT

For day hires on Efate, expect to pay around 15,000 VT for a four- to five-stop trip, such as Blue Lagoon, Rarru Rentapao River, Eton and Banana Bay. Hourly rates can be around 4,000 VT, but again, always agree on the fare and waiting time before you go.

Taxi Fares on Santo

• Santo-Pekoa Airport to Luganville Centre (Hotel Santo) - 1,500 VT
• Santo-Pekoa Airport to Saraoutou (Lope Lope Beach Bungalows, Barrier Beach Resort) - 2,000-3,000 VT
• Santo-Pekoa Airport to Turtle Bay - 3,000-5,000 VT
• Santo-Pekoa Airport to Hog Harbour - 8,000-10,000 VT
• Santo-Pekoa Airport to Port Olry - 10,000-12,000 VT
• Luganville Centre to Turtle Bay (Riri Blue Hole) - 4,000 VT
• Luganville Centre to Hog Harbour (Champagne Beach) - 8,000 VT
• Luganville Centre to Port Olry - 10,000 VT
• Luganville to Taffuntari Waterfall - 8,000 VT

For a full-day taxi hire or island tour on Santo, expect to pay around 12,000 VT. This usually covers around three sites, depending on the route agreed with the driver.

Truck Fares on Malekula

Truck transport on Malekula works a little differently. Common routes are usually shared with other passengers and are much cheaper, while uncommon routes are more likely to be treated as a private charter, where you pay for the whole truck.

• Around Lakatoro and Norsup - 200 VT per person
• Lakatoro or Norsup to Wala - 300 VT per person
• Lakatoro or Norsup to Wala by charter - 3,000 VT
• Lakatoro to Dramdram by charter - 1,500 VT
• Lakatoro to Tisman by charter - 10,000 VT
• Lakatoro to Lamap by charter - 30,000 VT

For longer charters, such as Lamap, it is best to arrange transport through your accommodation, as not many drivers will do the trip. That’s island logistics for you: doable, but much easier when someone local makes the call.