Frequently Asked Questions
Port Vila minibuses are cheap, shared vans with no strict routes or timetables; stand by the road, wave, and tell the driver where you are going. Taxis are faster for door-to-door trips. Agree the fare before you start if there is no meter, and pay in Vatu. Both are easy once you have tried them once, and hotel desks can also arrange a private driver for a day.
Have small notes, say your destination clearly, and confirm the fare for taxis in advance. Minibuses may take an indirect path as they pick up other passengers; that is normal. Cards are often not accepted. If you are new to Vila, the first ride is easier from a hotel or market than from a quiet back street.
It is not very predictable. Santo has few buses, so taxis or a hire car are the practical choice, and on Tanna and most outer islands you arrange 4WD, boat or walking through your bungalow. Services are irregular and run on island time. Build slack into the day rather than a tight sequence of connections.