Port Vila’s airport is Bauerfield International (VLI), about 6 km north of the centre — 10 to 15 minutes by road. International and domestic terminals sit side by side. Most visitors arrive from Australia; the rest come from New Zealand, Fiji and New Caledonia, or by sea.
The ways in, compared
| From | Typical flight time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Brisbane | About 2.5–3 h | The main gateway, with the most frequent flights; served recently by Qantas and Virgin Australia |
| Sydney | About 3.5 h | Direct services have operated, including low-cost flights — check whether they run on your dates |
| Auckland | About 3–3.5 h | A few flights a week; recently operated by Solomon Airlines |
| Nadi (Fiji) | About 1.5–2 h | Fiji Airways; the usual connection from North America and Asia |
| Nouméa (New Caledonia) | About 1 h | Aircalin; connects with flights from France and Japan via Nouméa |
| Cruise ship | Day call | Ships from Australia and New Zealand berth at the main wharf, a short ride from town |
Flying from further away
There are no long-haul flights to Vanuatu. From Europe, the usual routes are via Australia (Brisbane or Sydney), or via Nouméa with a connection from Paris. From North America, connect in Nadi, Brisbane, Sydney or Auckland. From Japan and China, connect through Australia, Fiji or New Caledonia. Leave a generous connection, or better still a night, at the gateway: flights to Port Vila are not daily on every route, and a missed connection can cost you days.
Arriving at Bauerfield
- Entry: citizens of many countries — including Australia, New Zealand, the UK, EU states, the USA, Canada, Japan and China — have been admitted visa-free for short tourist stays with an onward ticket and a passport valid for at least six months. Rules change; check the official requirements for your passport.
- Money: there are ATMs and an exchange counter in the terminal. Withdraw some vatu before you leave — you will need cash for the ride into town if you have not pre-booked.
- Transfers: many resorts run their own shuttles. Otherwise pre-book a shared transfer (see the widget below) or take a taxi from the rank outside.
- Buses: minibuses with a “B” on the plate wait near the terminal and are the cheapest option if you travel light.
- SIM cards: the local mobile operators usually have desks or kiosks at arrivals.
Getting around Port Vila
Buses — the “B” plates
Port Vila’s buses are privately owned minibuses with a red “B” at the start of the number plate. There are no routes, timetables or stops: wave one down anywhere, tell the driver where you are going, and he will say yes or no depending on which way the other passengers are heading. You pay when you get out. Within town it is a low flat fare per person (around 150–200 vatu when last checked); journeys beyond town — Mele, the airport, Pango — cost more, so ask first. Buses thin out after dark and on Sundays.
Taxis — the “T” plates
Taxis carry a “T” plate and are mostly unmetered. Agree the fare before you get in, and confirm whether it is per person or per car. They are worth it for the airport, for late evenings and for hiring by the half-day with waiting time.
Car hire
International and local companies rent cars, 4WDs and scooters in town and at the airport. Vanuatu drives on the right. The ring road is sealed, but expect potholes, animals and pedestrians, and avoid driving after dark. A valid licence from home is normally accepted for short visits.
Boats
Free resort ferries cross to Iririki, Erakor Island and Hideaway Island. Water taxis work the harbour, including between the cruise wharf and the seafront.
Onward within Vanuatu
Domestic flights leave from the terminal next door for Tanna, Espiritu Santo and the outer islands. Services have been rebuilt gradually since 2024 and timetables are thin and changeable: book early, reconfirm, and never plan a same-day connection to an international flight on the way home. Inter-island cargo-passenger ships exist but are slow and irregular.
Arriving by cruise ship
Ships tie up at the main wharf on the south side of the harbour, a few kilometres from the centre. Our cruise day guide covers the trip into town and what fits in a port call.
