What You Need to Hire a Car in Vanuatu

For most travellers, car hire in Vanuatu comes down to two islands: Efate and Espiritu Santo. These are the main islands where you’ll find self-drive rental options, with the widest choice in and around Port Vila.

Car Hire on Efate

Car hire is most readily available on Efate, with most rental companies operating out of Port Vila, the airport area or offering delivery to hotels around the island. The choice is decent rather than overwhelming, so it’s still worth booking ahead, especially during busy travel periods, cruise ship days or if you specifically want a high-clearance vehicle.

For driving around central Port Vila, a compact car might be enough. However, for exploring beyond town, especially the Efate Ring Road, we recommend an SUV or pick-up truck/ute. The road is well worth doing to explore the island's top attractions, but potholes, rougher sections and changing road conditions make high clearance much more comfortable.

Also, watch the kilometre allowance. Some Efate car rental companies include unlimited kilometres, while others have daily limits. For example, a full drive around the Efate Ring Road is around 130 km (81 mi), so a one-day hire with only 100 km included could mean paying extra kilometre fees.

Car Hire on Espiritu Santo

Car hire is also available on Espiritu Santo, mainly around Luganville. Santo has fewer rental operators and much smaller fleets than Port Vila, so we strongly recommend booking ahead rather than hoping something suitable is available when you arrive.

Road conditions vary widely on Santo. The East Coast Road generally has the best driving conditions of the lot, although you should still expect plenty of potholes, just usually smaller ones. For many travellers visiting blue holes, beaches and resorts along the east coast, an SUV is the sensible middle ground.

The south coast road on Santo is a different story. It can be very rough and muddy in parts, so a full-size pick-up truck/ute is recommended if you plan to head that way.

For a full comparison of the car rental companies on Santo and Efate, head to the 15 Best Car Rentals in Port Vila, Santo and Vanuatu.

Car rental fleets in Vanuatu vary between companies, but you’ll generally find a mix of compact city cars, SUVs, 4WDs and pick-up trucks/utes. The best vehicle for you depends less on how many people you’re travelling with and more on where you plan to drive.

Compact Cars

Compact cars and hatchbacks, such as a Suzuki Spresso, Hyundai i10, Hyundai Kona or similar, are usually the cheapest cars to hire in Vanuatu. They are fine for short drives around Port Vila city centre, but we wouldn’t recommend them for much beyond that.

Compact SUVs and Mini 4WDs

Compact SUVs and mini 4WDs, such as a Suzuki Jimny, Kia Seltos, Toyota Rush or similar, are often the sweet spot for travellers in Vanuatu. They’re cheaper than full-size SUVs and utes, while still giving you better clearance for potholes, rougher roads and island exploring.

Medium and 7-Seat SUVs

Medium and larger SUVs are useful for families, groups or travellers carrying lots of luggage. Rental fleets can include vehicles such as a Kia Sportage, Kia Sorento, Hyundai Tucson, Mazda CX5, Hyundai Santa Fe, Isuzu MUX, Nissan X-Trail, Toyota RAV4, Toyota Prado or similar.

These vehicles usually cost more to hire, but the extra space and comfort can be worth it if you’re driving longer distances or tackling rougher roads.

Pick-Up Trucks/Utes

Pick-up trucks, also known as utes, are the practical choice for rougher roads, especially if you’re heading somewhere where road conditions are muddy, uneven or unpredictable, such as the Santo South Coast Road. Common models include Mitsubishi L200, Ford Ranger, Isuzu DMAX, Nissan NP300, Mazda BT-50, Toyota Hilux or similar.

Just note that pick-up trucks/utes are more likely to be manual than standard cars or SUVs. Know how to drive manual or request an automatic vehicle when booking if needed.

Fun Cars and Small Trucks

Some rental companies also offer more unusual vehicles, such as Mini Mokes or small trucks like a Kia Bongo. A fun car can be great for pottering around town or taking short scenic drives, but check road suitability carefully before booking one for a full island road trip.

For more on vehicle types and rental companies, see the 15 Best Car Rentals in Port Vila, Santo and Vanuatu.

Car rentals in Vanuatu are not always “cheap as chips”, but they can be good value when you consider the freedom they give you. Each rental vehicle has a day rate, while other associated costs may include baby seat hire, insurance excess reducers, airport delivery, hotel delivery, kilometre fees and credit card fees.

Additional mandatory costs usually include fuel, plus fees if you don’t return the vehicle with a full fuel tank or if you breach the rental agreement.

Day Rates for Car Rentals in Vanuatu

Note that many companies reduce their day rates when hiring for seven+ days.

• Compact city car/day - 9,000-11,000 VT
• Compact SUV/day - 9,500-14,000 VT
• Premium SUV/day - 14,000-19,500 VT
• Pick-up truck/ute/day - 14,000-19,500 VT

Additional Costs for Renting a Car in Vanuatu

• Petrol/litre - 165-175 VT
• Hotel delivery - 500-2,000 VT
• Airport delivery - FREE-3,000 VT
• Insurance excess reduction/day - 1,500-4,500 VT
• Included kilometres/day - 50-100 km (some companies offer unlimited kilometres)
• Extra kilometre charge - 25-50 VT per km
• Baby seat/day - FREE-4,000 VT
• Roadside assistance - FREE
• Additional driver - FREE (must sign the rental agreement)
• Fuel service fee - 1,500 VT (if the vehicle is not returned with a full tank)
• Security deposit (refundable) - 40,000-350,000 VT (credit card pre-authorisation)
• Credit card fee - 3.5-4% of the payment total

Learn more about the typical price of car rentals in The Cost of Renting a Car in Vanuatu: Full Car Rental Cost Breakdown.

Your car rental only really gets started when you put your keys in the ignition and hit the road! However, Vanuatu’s roads might have different rules and conditions than what you’re used to. Certain rules, like driving on the right side of the road and giving way at roundabouts, might throw you off, so make sure you’re aware of the traffic laws.

Some important road rules to remember include:

• Drive on the right side of the road.
• It is mandatory to wear a seatbelt where seatbelts are provided.
• The maximum speed limit is 50 kph (31 mph) in town areas and 80 kph (50 mph) outside of these areas.
• At roundabouts, give way to vehicles already engaged with the roundabout.
• Hand signals are officially recognised and may be used for indicating manoeuvres.
• Only use your horn to give a necessary warning. Using it casually or aggressively is an offence.
• Overtaking is done on the left, but only when it is safe and clearly indicated.
• At intersections without traffic signs, give way to traffic approaching from your right, unless one road is marked as a major road.
• Any accident causing injury must be reported to the police within 24 hours. Property damage must be reported within five days.

Road rules aside, Vanuatu is not a destination for rushing. Potholes, roadside children, dogs, the occasional pig and poor lighting at night all mean you’ll want to slow down and stay alert (especially after dark).

To learn more about driving on the islands, see How to Drive in Vanuatu + 10 Road Rules You Need to Know.