Oceania > 🇻🇺 Vanuatu
The city by city Car or no Car advice for Vanuatu can be broken down into three similar questions - do you need a car in Vanuatu; is it worth it (based on costs), and ultimately - should you rent one? (a balance of the two).🚆 🚌⛴️ Do we need to rent a car in Vanuatu?
These scores are based on the quality of public transport and other travel options. If these are good enough to see the main points of interest, then you don’t need to rent a car.
💰💶💳 Is it worth hiring a car in Vanuatu?
These scores reflect the practical factors that affect whether renting a car is convenient, good value, and stress-free.
🏙️ Main Cities in Vanuatu
| CITY | IATA | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Espiritu Santo | SON | |
| Port Vila | VLI |
Getting Around Efate (Port Vila) 🚗🌺
Efate is the only island where renting a car truly feels convenient. Major roads circle the island, and the coastal loop gives you access to Blue Lagoon, Eton Beach, and countless small villages. Driving is relaxed, and traffic outside Port Vila stays light. Moreover, taxis are plentiful but expensive for long distances, so a car often works out cheaper for multi-stop days.
Tanna and Espiritu Santo 🚙🌋
Once you leave Efate, things change quickly. Tanna has rugged roads leading to Mount Yasur, and Santo’s jungle tracks out to Champagne Beach or Millennium Cave can be rough. You can rent 4x4s, yet the costs rise, and sudden weather can make conditions unpredictable. As a result, most visitors rely on organised tours, which include guides, transport, and safety briefings.
Buses and Shared Transport 🚌
Port Vila and Luganville both have informal minibus networks. Routes are flexible, fares are low, and drivers usually drop you close to your exact destination. However, these buses run without fixed schedules, so they’re fine for pottering around town but not ideal for exploring beaches or remote landmarks.
Inter-Island Travel ✈️🚤
Since Vanuatu is a true island-hopping nation, you’ll move between islands by plane or boat. Air Vanuatu (when operating normally) connects the main islands, and small charter boats serve outer communities. Because of this, you simply can’t rely on driving as a primary way to explore the archipelago.
When a Car Helps 🌞
-
A full-day circuit of Efate
-
Visiting scattered beaches without relying on taxis
-
Reaching accommodation outside Port Vila
-
Photographing viewpoints at your own pace
When a Car Isn’t Needed 🌴
-
Tanna volcanic trips (tours are better)
-
Santo jungle adventures (guides recommended)
-
Any form of inter-island travel
-
Short hops within Port Vila or Luganville
Summary — Should You Rent a Car in Vanuatu?
Yes, on Efate 🚗🌺 for flexibility and good value.
No, on most other islands 🌋🏝️ because tours and local transport work better and safer.
