How To Get Around Vanuatu (Don’t Fall For This Scam)
Vanuatu’s main island of Efate is tiny.
There are around 66,000 inhabitants. One ring road around the coastline. And you can drive around it in less than 2 hours!
But figuring out how to explore Vanutau (and make the most of your trip) can be tricky – with limited public transport and few rental options.
I recently spent a week exploring the island, and figured out what rental agencies to avoid, how much it costs to hire scooters, and how to ride the buss like a local.
Here’s how I got around the island.
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Local Buses, are actually really good!
I found local buses to be a fantastic way to enjoy the local culture on a budget.
These minibuses are marked with a red ‘B’ on their license plates. Don’t expect bus stops or schedules–just keep an eye out and wave one down when you see it.
(Well, there are bus stops. But it didn’t seem to make a difference if we were waiting at a bus stop or not)
So you can think of these buses more like shared taxis.
Fares are affordable, ranging from 150-500 Vatu per person depending on distance. Be sure to check the fare before hopping on.
Local Taxis
For a faster, more direct option, look for taxis – these are typically 4WD utility vehicles marked with a red ‘T’ on their license plates. Taxis are more expensive than buses, but they offer convenient door-to-door service.
Negotiate your fare before starting your trip, especially for longer journeys or late-night rides.
Some busses will also try and become a taxi for you – because you’re a tourist. What I mean by this is if they’re empty the dude might just say ‘yeah we’ll go wherever you want’ and by doing so will charge taxi rates (1000vt and up, rather than 150vt).
This was a bit frustrating at one point because every bus that came past was giving us taxi rates, rather than treating us like locals and doing the bus thing.
Scooter Hire, Was The Best Thing We Did!
Scooters are particularly handy for short distances and exploring around towns and villages. Here are some scooter hire options:
eBikes Vanuatu
eBikes Vanuatu offers a variety of two-wheeled fun, including electric bikes, traditional mopeds, and electric scooters.
- Prices: Electric Scooters: AUD 35 per day, mopeds: around AUD 55 per day (depending on the model), electric Bikes: Starting from AUD 55 per day.
- Inclusions: Helmets, maps, USB chargers, phone pockets, lockable storage, optional drop-off and pick-up service for an additional fee.
On Wheels Vanuatu
On Wheels Vanuatu offers scooter rentals with a focus on freedom and exploration.
- Prices: Scooter rentals are priced at AUD 700. This may be a weekly rate, but be sure to check with them for details.
- Inclusions: Helmets, maps, phone pockets, lockable storage.
Car Hire
Renting a car gives you the ultimate freedom to explore the island at your own pace. This is particularly appealing if you want to discover hidden beaches, waterfalls, or villages off the beaten track.
A few of my recommendations include:
World Car Rentals Vanuatu
World Car Rentals Vanuatu offers a diverse fleet, including the quirky and fun Mini Moke.
- Prices: You can expect to pay around 10,000 Vatu per day for a Mini Moke Fun Car. A compulsory daily insurance fee of 1,500 Vatu applies.
- Inclusions: Your rental includes unlimited kilometers, 24-hour roadside assistance, and complimentary infant and child seats.
Budget Vanuatu
Budget Vanuatu has a wide selection of vehicles, from compact, economical choices to powerful 4WDs.
- Prices: Prices start from around VT 6,500 depending on the car category.
- Inclusions: You’ll enjoy unlimited kilometers, Collision Damage Waiver Insurance, VAT (government tax), free delivery and collection (subject to terms and conditions), SOS Alarm, and 24-hour roadside assistance.
Hertz Vanuatu
Hertz is an internationally recognized brand with a reliable reputation. They offer a range of vehicles to suit different needs and budgets.
- Prices: Prices start from around 12141.13 VUV for economy cars and go up to approximately 15792.94 VUV for Dual Cabs and larger vehicles.
- Inclusions: Expect your rental to include Total Sales Tax, administrative recovery fees, roadside assistance, and unlimited kilometers. Double-check the exact inclusions for your chosen package.
On Wheels Vanuatu
On Wheels Vanuatu offers a mix of economy cars, electric options, and even luxury vehicles.
- Prices: Prices range from approximately VT 7,400 for economy cars to as high as VT 14,500 for premium, luxury vehicles.
- Inclusions: Insurance and unlimited mileage. But some mileages are capped, so read the fine print properly.
Getting to Other Islands
Flights
Air Vanuatu, Vanuatu’s domestic airline, provides a fast and efficient way to reach those more remote islands. They service various destinations and are perfect to maximize your vacation time.
Also, the aerial views of the islands and ocean are an unforgettable bonus.
Since seats can fill up quickly, I recommend booking your flights well in advance. You can find flight details and schedules on Air Vanuatu’s website.
nb: At the time of writing, Air Vanuatu is on the brink of going into receivership. (and they were already highly unreliable). I’d avoid flying with them if at all possible if you want to get to your destination on time, or at all!
Ferries
Ferries are also another budget-friendly option and allow you to relax and enjoy the sea breeze.
Companies like Vanuatu Ferry and Big Sista offer ferry travel primarily between Port Vila (Efate), Malekula, and Luganville (Espiritu Santo).
Smaller, local ferry companies might offer routes between less frequently traveled islands or provide more specialized services (like cargo transport with limited passenger space). These are less likely to have online booking systems but you can find schedule updates or route information on a company’s Facebook page, like Vanuatu Ferry.
For less-traveled routes, try these tactics:
- Ask the Locals: Your hotel, tour guides, or friendly locals may know of other ferry options.
- Explore Ports: Check harbors for signs or information about smaller ferries.
- Be Flexible: Most smaller operators often don’t have online booking systems, so be ready to purchase tickets on the spot and have a backup plan.
In Summary:
In summary, I spent waaay too much time on my holiday trying to find an affordable and convenient way to get around Efate, the main island of Vanuatu.
Car rental is EXPENSIVE and kinda overkill for such a small island.
1️⃣ The best options were in fact taking the local bus, which is surprisingly easy and fast (Efate has a ring road and most drivers will happily take you
2️⃣ As well as hiring a scooter (from eBikes Vanuatu) which gave us the freedom and independence to get wherever and whenever we needed.
3️⃣ For those traveling as a family, a car still might be the best option but just be aware they are pricey, and of limited supply. Make sure to book in advance of your trip. I’d recommend Budget Rentals as they were the only company to reply to my inquiry emails and actually had some availability.
Vanuatu Travel Planning Cheatsheet
🚑 Should I buy travel insurance for Vanuatu?
100% YES! — Vanuatu’s healthcare system faces challenges, with limited hospital and medical facilities, and treatment costs, including pharmaceuticals, being expensive, often requiring immediate cash payment.
If anything serious happens to you, medical evacuation may be the only option and that’s EXPENSIVE.
If you DO get insurance, also be aware many policies won’t cover adventure activities like diving, climbing active volcanos, or scooter riding (as it’s a high risk activity)!
(that’s right, check the t&c’s)
I highly recommend World Nomads as you can get specific add-ons for these activities (Which are some of the main reasons I went to Vanuatu!)
🎫 Do I need a visa for Vanuatu?
Probably not! Many countries are entitled to 30 day tourist ‘visa on arrival’. However, some other countries do need a pre-approved Visa. Check the list of Visa exempt countries here
💉Do I need any vaccinations for Vanuatu?
YES! Make sure you are up-to-date with all your vaccines. Common travel vaccines include Hep A/B + Typhoid, and Diphtheria + Tetanus.
As always, talk to your GP or specialized travel doctor a few weeks BEFORE you leave.
💸How do you pay for things in Vanuatu?
Cash is king in Vanuatu, but electronic payments have come a long way. You’ll want to get some folding tender out from an ATM when you land.
Generally, street food stalls, mum-and-dad shops and small businesses will only take cash, whereas larger bars, restaurants, hotels and resorts will be perfectly happy taking card.
I personally use a Wise debit card for all my international money needs as they only convert the funds when you make a payment, plus they offer a much better spread (margin on the true exchange rate) than the banks do. They work in all the ATMs I tried (although the ATMs do charge a fee of 700VUV to withdraw from a foreign card – around $6 USD) which is annoying but unavoidable. Taking out larger sums at once will minimise the hit.
🚌 What’s the public transport like in Vanuatu?
In short – basic!
Local buses are just dudes in minivans who operate in the grey area between a bus and a taxi. Get in, say where you’re going and they’ll take you as far as they want, provided there are enough other people on board to make the trip worthwhile.
Domestic flights from Port Vila to the outer islands are irregular and unreliable. Even more so since Air Vanuatu went into receivership.
Unfortunately, hiring a car is your most effective way to get around, but it’s waay overpriced for what you get.
📲 How do I get internet/data/wifi in Vanuatu?
Prepaid SIM cards are cheap and available to tourists and locals alike (You don’t need a pricey tourist SIM!) but they can be a little hard to come by. Your best bet is actually to buy a Vodafone or Digicell SIM at the Airport – yep, I can’t believe I’m saying that!). The sales assistant will get the SIM all set up and activated for you.
Another (better) option is the Saily eSIM. This is a little more expensive but works from the moment you land is is SOOOOO much easier than the in person verification process required for a local sim.
TIP: I used to use Airalo but now find Saily a much better product – you can get 5% off with code SPECIAL5
✈️ What’s the best site to buy flights to Vanuatu?
For finding cheap flights, I recommend Skyscanner. Once you find the flight you’re looking for, I’d then suggest booking directly with the carrier (even if it costs a few $$ more than with one of the aggregators/agencies).
💧Can you drink the water in Vanuatu?
Safest not to — tap water in Vanuatu may be OK (the locals drink it) but is generally untreated and not recommended for tourists. Purchase bottled water for drinking and teeth brushing, or get water purification tablets.
I always use these Aquatabs and also recommend a Brita Water Bottle for as some of the tab water wasn’t exactly clear either!
