Bauerfield Airport is located on the island of Efate, approximately 5 km from the centre of Port Vila, the capital of Vanuatu.
It is the country's primary international gateway and the most common access point for reaching other islands of the archipelago, from diving on the wreck of the SS President Coolidge to the remote beaches of Shefa.
How to get to Port Vila Bauerfield Airport
By Car
By Train
By Bus
Average travel time to VLI
Parking near Port Vila Bauerfield Airport
Parking is available adjacent to the terminal for those arriving by personal vehicle or rental car.
How to get to Port Vila from VLI
By Train
By Bus
By Taxi
Need an airport transfer?
Compare taxis and shuttles on Booking.com
Car rental at Port Vila Bauerfield Airport
The major car rental companies operate with dedicated desks near the arrivals.
A driver's license, passport, and credit card are required; it is advisable to check in advance the condition of the roads, which are often unpaved outside Port Vila.
Hotels near Port Vila Bauerfield Airport
Downtown and the Erakor lagoon
10-20 minutes by car from Bauerfield; downtown is also reachable on foot from the resorts on the Erakor lagoon, a 15-20 minute walk.
Best for: Those who want downtown Port Vila or a private lagoon a few minutes by car from the port and the shops, with the airport still a quarter of an hour away.
- Port, market and shops of Port Vila reachable in a few minutes on foot or by car
- The resorts on the Erakor lagoon offer a private beach while staying a stone's throw from the centre
- Less isolation than the resorts further south, with more traffic and noise in the centre
- The Erakor lagoon doesn't have the white-sand beaches of the areas further south on the island
Recommended hotels
- Holiday Inn Resort Vanuatu by IHG On the shore of the Erakor lagoon, just 5 minutes from Bauerfield and 4 from Port Vila; National Museum and Parliament about a kilometre away, with a free shuttle to the centre. View availability
- Warwick Le Lagon Resort & Spa, Vanuatu On a peninsula overlooking the Erakor lagoon toward Mele Bay, 10-20 minutes from Bauerfield; three outdoor pools, private beach and direct access to snorkelling and water sports. View availability
- Ramada Resort by Wyndham Port Vila On the beachfront of the Erakor lagoon, 15 minutes on foot from downtown Port Vila and 10-20 minutes by car from Bauerfield; the lagoon view praised by reviews. View availability
- Grand Hotel & Casino The only upscale hotel in downtown Port Vila, on Kumul Highway right on the harbour; Vanuatu's tallest building, 15 minutes from the airport and in the heart of the commercial district. View availability
Pango and White Sands
Breakas Beach Resort, on the Pango peninsula, is 15 minutes from Bauerfield and 5 from the centre; Tamanu on the Beach, on the White Sands coast, is 30-35 minutes from the airport, with a free 20-minute shuttle to the centre.
Best for: Those looking for more isolated white-sand beaches, accepting a 15-35 minute transfer from the airport.
- White-sand beaches among the finest on the island, less crowded than the centre
- Smaller, more carefully run resorts, with a boutique atmosphere compared with the big chains in the centre
- Tamanu is more than half an hour from the airport, the longest transfer among the Efate options described here
- Breakas Beach Resort is adults-only, to be ruled out for those travelling with children
Recommended hotels
- The Beach VANUATU Known as Breakas Beach Resort, on a private bay on the Pango peninsula with 2 km of white beach; a 22-metre infinity pool, but adults-only and with no air conditioning in the bungalows. View availability
- Tamanu on the Beach A 5-star boutique resort on a private beach on White Sands Road, 30-35 minutes from Bauerfield; an ocean-view infinity pool and a free shuttle to downtown Port Vila. View availability
Airport services
Shopping & Duty Free
Lounges & relaxation
Connectivity & Wi-Fi
Families & Children
Terminal guide
The single terminal handles international connections to Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, and New Caledonia, as well as inter-island flights to other Vanuatu islands.
Before boarding it is wise to budget 2 hours' margin for flights.
Map of Port Vila Bauerfield Airport
Frequently asked questions
Q. Do you need a visa for Vanuatu?
No, most nationalities can enter visa-free for tourist stays of up to 30 days, with a passport valid for at least 6 months and a return ticket.
Q. Can you visit active volcanoes starting from Port Vila?
Yes, Mount Yasur on Tanna Island is among the most accessible active volcanoes in the world, reachable with a short domestic flight from Port Vila: it's one of the most sought-after excursions in all of Vanuatu.
Q. Is there a malaria risk in Port Vila?
The risk is present throughout Vanuatu but higher in the northern provinces (Sanma, Penama, Torba) and in the months from December to May; consult a doctor about prophylaxis before departure, regardless of the area visited.
Q. Can you pay by credit card in Vanuatu?
Yes, in the main hotels and resorts of Port Vila, but cash in vatu remains essential elsewhere, including the smaller islands.
Flight board
Real-time status of arriving and departing flights
