Cost of transport in Vanuatu

Hi Guys

I am off to Vanuatu for 18 days next week (can't wait!). What would be the normal price for transport between the airport and the town in Port Vila and Lungaville? I've read there is no bargaining when shopping in Vanuatu. Does it apply to transport as well?

Thanks
Magda

The absolute top price for a cab from Vila airport is 2000. If you are going to a hotel near the airport like Moorings you might get away with 1000. Don't pay any more than 1500 for a hotel in town. They will often try you on by asking 2000 for any hotel so be ready to say no unless you are going to Pango which is on the far side of town. There is an air conditioned bus for 1000 pp to any hotel.

If you are going to a hotel in town the cheapest transport is the public bus which is 150 pp. You will have to walk out of the airport to pick one up. The buses are beat up old vans not big buses like you are used to.

Taxi drivers at the airport will hound you! Last time I said "I'm waiting for a bus" they said "new law - busses can't take suitcases!" Pretty funny after you've been in a bus with 100 chickens and 2 crates of sea food.

I have found it hard to actually catch a bus from the airport though. It's not a regular route so unless they just happen to drop someone off, there isn't a lot of business for them along the airport road.

We just call a bus driver to meet our flight. Costs us about 600->1000 vatu. Our regular driver is Daniel, a really nice honest guy. You can call him from overseas and tell him your landing time, or (cheaper) call him when you plane lands and you are in the long immigration queue (gives him 20 mins or so to get to the airport).

Daniel: (+ 678) 5407 025

cheers
Simon

Buses are not allowed to pick up at the airport. Even apart from the laws, If they tried the cab drivers would beat them up.

If you want a bus walk outside the gate and grab one. There is no rule about bags but if you have a lot it might be difficult. Chickens need their space. If you get off a night flight there may not be too many buses around so a cab could be easier. You can always get a bus to the airport.

Actually it is possible to catch the bus at the airport. You just need to go to domestic terminal. I was there this afternoon, walked from internatio nal to domestic and the bus arrived in front of the terminal just a few minutes later. 150v for the trip to town.

We're going to Vila for the first time next week and have arranged airport pickups with Melanesian Tours which were highly recommended to us. You could email them and get a quote for a pickup.

http://www.melanesiantours.com/