Transportation in Vanuatu

Island-hopping in Vanuatu is done by small plane and ferry, not by road. Domestic flights on Air Vanuatu link Port Vila with Espiritu Santo, Tanna and the outer islands several times daily; they're the quickest way to cover distance but sit in the moderate-to-splurge bracket. Between closer islands, the big yellow Vanuatu Ferry and smaller cargo-passenger boats run a loose timetable, cheap, scenic, but expect "island time" delays. On the larger islands, shared minivans (marked with a "B" plate) cruise the main roads for a fraction of a taxi fare. Flag one down, state your stop, and hand over coins when you hop off. First-timers should know that taxis have no meters, agree the fare before you shut the door, and hotel "courtesy cars" are almost always a splurge. Rental cars are available in Port Vila and Luganville. But night driving is risky (no street lighting, free-range livestock) and insurance excesses are high. Download the "Taxi Vila" or "Island Taxi" apps for upfront pricing in the capital; elsewhere, WhatsApp groups run the show. From Bauerfield Airport in Port Vila, the official taxi rank is straight outside arrivals, expect to bargain, and ignore the freelance touts by the car park. A shared minivan into town is the cheap option if you're travelling light. They depart when full from the main road, 200 m past the terminal exit.