Vanuatu Travel Guide - Getting Around

Domestic services are provided by Vanair, which operates under the umbrella of Air Vanuatu Ltd as Air Vanuatu domestic (see Getting There). It offers scheduled services to 29 destinations within the archipelago. Unity Airlines (website: www.unity-airlines.com) and Air Club Vila (website: www.airclubvila.com) offer charter flights.

Vanair deducts 20% from the standard domestic airfare to travellers with an international ticket issued outside of Vanuatu. It also offers the Vanuatu Pass which allows four flights to any destination.

VUV400. Children under 12 years of age are exempt. The departure tax must be paid in cash and in local currency (Vatu) only. The departure tax is often included in airfares.
A separate departure fee charges visitors and locals VUV200 from any Shefa province domestic airport. This applies to every leg where a passenger departs from the following domestic airports: Bauerfield- Port-Vila, Swio Airport- Emae, Pele Airport- Tongoa, Valesdir Airport- Epi and Laman Bay Airport- Epi.

Inter-island ferries infrequently operate from Port-Vila and Espiritu Santo to the northern and southern islands. Boats can also be chartered.

Traffic drives on the right. Roads are either compacted coral or dirt tracks. The road around the island of Efate is currently open but visitors should check with their hotel or the police whether the road is open before attempting to drive around the island. There is no public transport.

Bus: Private buses serve the town centre and the airport in Port-Vila. Frequent minibus services are available. As there are no timetables, the most common way to catch a minibus is to flag one down and tell the driver where to go.

Taxi: These are plentiful and all are metered, although a fixed rate can be agreed.

Car hire: Major car hire operators have offices in Port-Vila. Cars, 4-wheel drive vehicles and jeeps are available.

Documentation: A national driving licence is acceptable.