Getting to Vanuatu
From Australia and New Zealand
Air Vanuatu operate services from the east coast of Australia, flying from Sydney and Brisbane non stop to Port Vila. There are also very good flights to and from Luganville, Santo with Air Vanuatu. Check out their website for current prices and availability. Air Vanuatu added a brand new Boeing aircraft to their fleet in 2016. There has never been a more luxurious time to fly to Vanuatu! And it is SO CLOSE – less that 3 hours from Brisbane and less than 4 hours from Sydney and Auckland. I regularly fly from Tassie to Port Vila and easily do it in half a day – easy commute with connecting flights with Qantas!
Virgin Australia also have regular flights 3-4 times a week from Brisbane to Port Vila and Santo. With family discounts and seasonal sales from time to time too.
Flying in from New Zealand is also very easy. Fijian Air fly regularly from Auckland with connecting flights from the south island with Air New Zealand’s regional services. Air Vanuatu fly to Port Vila, Santo and Tanna direct.
From the South Pacific
You can fly direct to Port Vila from Papua New Guinea with Air Guinea, from New Caledonia with Aircalin, and from Fiji with Fiji Airways. Check out their websites for current prices and availability.
If you are entering Vanuatu under sail, the only approved ports of entry are Port Vila on Efate, Leanakel on Tanna, Luganville on Santo, and Sola on Vanua Lava (Banks Islands). Most craft would come to Port Vila or Santo at first anyway to stock up on supplies. After this, you are free to explore!
Airport Transfers – Port Vila
Simply contact us to organise your airport transfer. Air-conditioned buses that will take you to local markets and supermarkets before dropping you safely to your holiday home. Ensure the perfect start for your holiday, especially if you are arriving late at night or are travelling with a large party or small children. If you arrive after 7pm in the evening, you may miss the supermarkets too. Please email us to organise a breakfast or dinner hamper to be waiting for you – so much easier!
Drivers speak English, are reliable, and friendly.
Passport and Visa Information
You will need to have at least 6 months validity on your passport from your departure date. If you hold an Australian, New Zealand, US, Canadian, Fijian, Japanese, Filipino, South Korean or EU passport, you can enter Vanuatu for up to 30 days without a visa. You will need to have a return ticket booked and paid for at the time of your departure.
If you are planning to come to Vanuatu for longer than one month, you can apply for a range of visas and residency permits depending on your reasons for coming and financial situation. If you would like further information, please contact the Immigration Department
Customs
When you arrive in Vanuatu and are over the age of 18, you are legally allowed to carry 250 cigarettes or 250g tobacco, 50 cigars or 100 cigarillos. You can also carry 2L of spirits or wine, 9L of beer, 25cl of eau de toilette or 10cl of perfume, and the equivalent of 50,000 vatu worth of new items.
When you leave Vanuatu, items such as shells, black palm items and coral must be subject to an export permit and Quarantine certificate. You may also need a clearance certificate for grass items. The necessary departments to visit at least 1 day before you leave are near the airport in Port Vila. Please email biosecurity@vanuatu.gov.au for up to date information and pricing.
Times and Dates
When you holiday in Vanuatu, you will slow down, it’s just the way it is! Island Time means there is no rushing. But just so you get to the airport on time, Vanuatu is GMT + 11, so during Winter it is 1 hour ahead of the east coast of Australia. During Summer, Sydney and Port Vila share the same time zone. Brisbane is an hour behind all year round as Queensland doesn’t have daylight savings.
If you are planning your Vanuatu holiday to catch a local event such as the Pentecost Land Diving, please email us to confirm the dates for the coming year.