Vanuatu Transport Guide: 17 Best Ways to Get Around Vanuatu

Let's start with how you get to Vanuatu. Most travellers get here by international flight.

The vast majority of international flights in Vanuatu arrive at Bauerfield International Airport (VLI), located approximately a five-minute drive from Port Vila and conveniently positioned on the main island of Efate.

International flights depart from Brisbane, Sydney and Auckland, taking around 3 hours. Flights are also available from neighbouring Solomon Islands, Fiji and New Caledonia. Find out about airlines travelling to Vanuatu in our guide, as well as how to get a good deal in Which Airlines Fly Directly to Vanuatu?

Note that before arrival, you will need to ensure your passport is valid for at least six months from your date of entry, and many travellers are required to provide evidence of their accommodation booking and onward travel. Find out more about the paperwork you'll need to prepare in our guide, What Documents Do I Need to Travel to Vanuatu?

If you're thinking about hopping between islands in Vanuatu, we'd definitely recommend flying over sea travel (trust us, it's much more practical).

The flight from Port Vila to Espiritu Santo takes around 45-55 minutes, while getting to Tanna is even quicker at approximately 40-45 minutes.

You'll most likely find yourself aboard an Air Vanuatu flight, which uses a delightful mix of ATR aircraft and smaller planes for the outer island routes. From our experience, these flights have a wonderfully intimate feel, think scenic island hopping rather than your typical commercial airline experience.

Just keep in mind that baggage allowances are quite limited, and you'll be landing at simple provincial airstrips (which honestly adds to the charm).

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

On the smaller outer islands, like Tanna and Malekula, airport transfers are provided by your chosen accommodation, either for free or an additional fee depending on the distance from the airport.

On Espiritu Santo and Efate (Port Vila), however, airport transfers typically come at an additional charge if your accommodation provides this service. Otherwise, it's recommended to book one of the airport shuttles or take a taxi to your accommodation on arrival in Port Vila or Luganville.

Compare all of your options in the 10 Best Airport Transfers in Vanuatu.

It couldn't be cheaper to get between Vanuatu's main islands, Efate and Espiritu Santo (which includes Malekula along the way), thanks to the inter-island ferry services operating twice to thrice a week across two ferry companies!

There are also semi-frequent ferries heading south from Port Vila to Tanna and Erromango, as well as from Port Vila to Ambrym.

Less formal ferry services also operate from Luganville on Santo to the northern islands of the Penama Province and the Banks Islands.

For shorter island-hopping, ferry/boat transfer services operate between Efate or Espiritu Santo to their respective offshore islands (more on that below).

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

A popular and convenient way to travel around Efate and Espiritu Santo 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, while there are fewer rental operators in Luganville on Santo.

Either way, be sure to do your research using the 10 Best Car Rentals in Vanuatu.

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.

On the outer islands, roads are rough, so most vehicles are 4WD pick-up trucks/utes. As a result, car rental is not typically available.

If you're keen to explore the main island, Efate, at your own pace, hop on a scooter. The island's mostly sealed roads are in ideal condition to drive by scooter, making it an affordable way to get around independently.

Most rental companies provide 150cc scooters (perfect for short trips and cruising the main roads), and helmets come included with every hire. The best part? The fuel mileage is significantly better than that of the large vehicles that the car rental companies are offering.

For more tips on hiring a scooter, check out Scooter & Quad Hire in Vanuatu: Where to Rent, Cost & More.

If you're keen to explore the main islands, Efate and Espiritu Santo, at your own pace (while trying to resist the temptation to go over the speed limit), hire a quad or buggy! That's right, it is legal to drive ATVs on the roads in Vanuatu, so why not take the opportunity to drive around the islands in style like you never have (legally) before?

Most rental companies and some resorts provide quads (perfect for two passengers) and buggies (seating two to four people), with helmets included in every hire.

For more tips on hiring a quad or a buggy, check out Scooter & Quad Hire in Vanuatu: Where to Rent, Cost & More.

Ultra-cheap and a fun experience, Vanuatu's minivan buses are a popular way for locals to get around the islands.

Operating as shuttle services between destinations rather than fixed routes, these minivans with "B" plates can either be really fast or really slow, depending on where the driver decides to stop on the "route".

Buses are abundant in Port Vila, making a viable way to get around, but less common in Luganville.

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

Readily available from Port Vila and Luganville, and able to take you anywhere (with road access) around the islands, taxis are a convenient way to get from A to B. They can be identified by having a "T" plate.

Taxis have flat fares, so be sure to enquire before agreeing to a lift.

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.

On the less developed islands, like Malekula and Tanna, taxis are replaced by transport simply "trucks".

You can usually find them near the marketplace of the islands' main town, for instance, Lenakel on Tanna and Lakatoro on Malekula. They will also pick up anyone who hails them on the side of the road.

If they're already on a route doing the rounds, you'll pay a small fare similar to taking the bus. If you have to call one out, in other words, charter a truck, this will cost significantly more.

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

If you don't want to find your own way around the islands, or perhaps you want to make the most of the knowledge of a local tour guide, consider a guided tour.

There are plenty of tour companies available across Port Vila, Santo and Tanna offering tour packages that have all your transport needs included: accommodation pick-up and drop-off, transport between sights and something even boat transfers if applicable.

Check out island tours in the 10 Best Sightseeing Tours in Vanuatu.

Take in the sights, sounds and smells of Vanuatu at a much slower pace by cycling around the islands.

Bicycle and e-bike rentals are available with some rental companies and accommodations, particularly on Espiritu Santo and Efate.

Santo and Efate are pretty large islands to cycle around; cycling tends to be more suitable for exploring, say, Port Vila and the nearby beaches.

On the other hand, cycling on the offshore islands, like Aore Island, on quiet roads is an appealing option for most fitness levels.

Learn more about travelling around Vanuatu by bike in The Ultimate Guide to Cycling in Vanuatu LINK#TTD061.

Beyond Vanuatu's main islands, many offshore islands offer a whole different world from their mainland counterpart.

We've already touched on the ferries to get to the outer islands, but there is also the option to get smaller boats, which locals might call speedboats, that can take you between Malekula and islands like Atchin, Wala or Rano, or from Emua on Efate to Nguna or Pele Islands. These boats tend to run on demand.

On Efate and Santo, island resorts also tend to operate frequent boat services that are also open to day trippers, including Hideaway Island Resort, Aore Island Resort, The Moso, Dany Island Resort and many more.

Find out more about inter-island transport in How to Catch Water Taxis & Island Boats in Vanuatu LINK#T023.

Hitchhiking is legal in Vanuatu. However, it is one of the least reliable forms of transport, especially on islands that have very little traffic. Nevertheless, it’s quite an adventure if you can make it work!

Learn more about hitchhiking in the islands, as well as safety tips, in A Traveller's Guide to Hitchhiking in Vanuatu.

For a quick visit to Vanuatu, the islands are on the itinerary of several South Pacific cruises.

Cruise passengers typically enter Vanuatu from Port Vila or Port Luganville, with some ships anchoring off the shore of Champagne Beach or even visiting Aneityum (Mystery Island).

From Port Vila or Luganville, passengers spend the day exploring the vibrant markets and cultural sites or travelling around the various islands on guided tours, like those listed in the 10 Best Shore Excursions in Vanuatu.

Find out which cruises visit the islands in the 10 Best Cruises that Go to Vanuatu.

Port Vila on Efate, Luganville on Espiritu Santo, Lenakel on Tanna and Sola on Vanua Lava (when available) are the official ports of entry for Vanuatu.

For the rare few who arrive in Vanuatu by private yacht, you will need to go through the clearance process on arrival, apply for a cruising permit if wishing to anchor at other islands around Vanuatu, and clear out on departure.

Sailing in Vanuatu is only recommended outside of the cyclone season (November to April).

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

Here's something we absolutely love about Vanuatu – you're surrounded by some of the South Pacific's most incredible hiking terrain. The country offers diverse walking experiences, from canyoning through the interior of Espiritu Santo to get to magnificent waterfalls, to the challenging multi-day hiking trails on Malekula that are the only way to reach remote communities like the Big Nambas and travel from east to west coast.

We've found that walking around the more populated areas, like Port Vila or the accessible villages of the outer islands, is completely doable too. It's brilliant for two reasons: you're travelling in the most eco-friendly way possible, and you get to experience the natural beauty up close in a way that simply isn't possible from a car window.

For the best hiking experiences, check out our 10 Best Walks & Hikes in Vanuatu LINK#TTD130 guide. And if you're planning your walking routes, our Vanuatu Travel Times & Distances article will help you plan your adventures with ease.