Arriving late in Port Vila

gsm12:19 UTC22 Jul 2007

Hi!
I'm trying to arrange flights for a trip to Vanuatu from Sydney - in particular to Espiritu Santo. I've noticed that the Qantas/Air Vanuatu flights often arrive in Port Vila at midnight. Has anyone caught this flight? Having not been to Vanuatu before I'm a little bit worried about landing somewhere new in the middle of the night and being stuck there!
I'm going to be flying out to Santo the next day, so is there anywhere close to the airport to stay, or can you recommend a budget place in town.
Also, what is the best way to get into town from the airport - do some places pick up from the airport if you book with them prior to arriving?
Thanks very much.

elsiekay14:48 UTC22 Jul 2007

We had transfer prebooked and were staying at the Sebel. Lots of people arriving and lots of mini buses there to pick up passengers. It was a little disconcerting that our hotel appeared unmanned when we rolled in. It took 5 mins of "hello hello" before any staff appeared. It did appear that everyone had a prebooked transfer. Can't remember how much it cost. It is a bummer about the flight times, it was after 1am before we even got to our hotel and that is a charge for one night.

bluesun7818:28 UTC24 Jul 2007

Have you considered direct flights from Australia to Santo? Air Vanuatu have just released direct Brisbane - Santo flights. I just booked ours for $614 return - bargain!

yehyeh19:12 UTC28 Jul 2007

Fantastic. It's about time. I have been waiting for Australia to Santo flights for years. This is very good news.

Arriving late in Port Vila Country forums / Pacific Islands & Papua New Guinea / Vanuatu
gsm12:19 UTC22 Jul 2007	Hi! I'm trying to arrange flights for a trip to Vanuatu from Sydney - in particular to Espiritu Santo. I've noticed that the Qantas/Air Vanuatu flights often arrive in Port Vila at midnight. Has anyone caught this flight? Having not been to Vanuatu before I'm a little bit worried about landing somewhere new in the middle of the night and being stuck there! I'm going to be flying out to Santo the next day, so is there anywhere close to the airport to stay, or can you recommend a budget place in town. Also, what is the best way to get into town from the airport - do some places pick up from the airport if you book with them prior to arriving? Thanks very much.
elsiekay14:48 UTC22 Jul 2007	We had transfer prebooked and were staying at the Sebel. Lots of people arriving and lots of mini buses there to pick up passengers. It was a little disconcerting that our hotel appeared unmanned when we rolled in. It took 5 mins of "hello hello" before any staff appeared. It did appear that everyone had a prebooked transfer. Can't remember how much it cost. It is a bummer about the flight times, it was after 1am before we even got to our hotel and that is a charge for one night.	1
bluesun7818:28 UTC24 Jul 2007	Have you considered direct flights from Australia to Santo? Air Vanuatu have just released direct Brisbane - Santo flights. I just booked ours for $614 return - bargain!	2
yehyeh19:12 UTC28 Jul 2007	Fantastic. It's about time. I have been waiting for Australia to Santo flights for years. This is very good news.	3