Two Pacific islands. One long weekend. Absolutely no chill.
I visited Vanuatu and Solomon Islands back to back, and I did it at record pace. Partly because I was ticking off my last two Oceania countries before a big move, and partly because the flight schedules between these islands basically force you into either one day or one week, with nothing in between. I chose the former and made it work.
This post is for the trip planners. The ones wanting to know how to combine both countries into one trip, what the flight routes look like, and what to actually expect from each place. If you want the deep dive on each destination individually, I’ve got you covered:
👉 Full Vanuatu guide – things to do, where to stay, what it’s actually like
👉 Full Solomon Islands guide – Honiara, what to see, honest verdict
Why do Vanuatu and Solomon Islands together?
The honest answer: flights. Air Niugini runs a hopper route connecting Vanuatu (Port Vila) → Solomon Islands (Honiara) → Papua New Guinea (Port Moresby), and it’s the most logical way to tick both countries without two separate return trips from Australia. If you’re based in or routing through Australia, Vanuatu is also a very easy direct flight from Brisbane or Sydney – multiple per day, reasonably priced.
The two countries are very different in character. Vanuatu is considerably more set up for visitors, has great infrastructure for a Pacific island, and has a lot to see. Solomon Islands is rawer, quieter, and genuinely has less to do, but it has a fascinating WWII history and an honesty about it that I found compelling. They complement each other well.
The itinerary that works
Here’s the (fast-paced) schedule I used, which I’d recommend as a template:
Friday: Morning flight from Brisbane or Sydney → arrive Port Vila (Vanuatu) by afternoon. Settle in, explore Port Vila waterfront, dinner in town.
Saturday: Full day island loop of Efate — Blue Lagoon, Eden on the River, Eton Beach, Top Rock. Rent a car or hire a taxi driver for the day. Full Vanuatu day guide here →
Sunday: Early morning flight Port Vila → Honiara (Solomon Islands). Afternoon city tour. Explore, eat, sleep. Honiara guide here →
Monday: Final half day in Honiara. Afternoon or evening flight back to Brisbane (arriving same day).
Total: three nights, four days. Tight but genuinely doable.
Alternative itineraries
Obviously that’s the condensed schedule I had to go for, and it works. But I’ll be honest about something. Having now been to Vanuatu, I’d encourage anyone who can to spend several days there rather than one. Particularly if you dive. There’s a lot to see on Efate alone, but the outer islands are apparently something else entirely – Espiritu Santo (home of the infamous Blue Hole) and Tanna Island (home of the active volcano Mount Yasur) are said to be breathtaking. Domestic flights are infrequent and change at the last minute, so you need flexibility, but it’s worth building in if you can.
Solomon Islands is a different story. A day or two in Honiara was genuinely enough for me. There isn’t a huge amount to do in the city, and getting beyond it is expensive and can be pretty unfeasible as a solo traveller. There are Japanese shipwrecks within a day’s trip but you need transport and a boat. You can also get to other provinces, Gizo being the most famous for diving and rustic water bungalows, but again you’d need flexible flights and a loose grip on your schedule. Worthwhile if you have more time.
The flights: what you need to know
Australia → Vanuatu: Virgin Australia and Air Vanuatu fly direct from Brisbane and Sydney multiple times daily. These are your most reliable options. Prices are reasonable for the Pacific, around $200-250 if you book in advance for the best fares.
🔗 Find flights from Brisbane to Vanuatu here!
Vanuatu → Solomon Islands: This is the leg that requires patience. Air Niugini runs this route a couple of times a week, stopping in Honiara en route to Port Moresby. It is prone to delays and occasional same-day schedule changes. The flight itself is only around an hour. Check schedules carefully before booking your whole trip around it.
Solomon Islands → Australia: Solomon Airlines and Qantas fly Honiara to Brisbane directly. One to two flights per day. Solomon is more likely to cancel or be delayed. Qantas is more reliable.
Key rule: build buffer time. Don’t schedule anything tight around Air Niugini connections. I was an hour late on my Vanuatu → Solomon leg and it was fine, but I’d heard stories of same-day cancellations. Have a loose grip on the plan
Vanuatu in brief
Vanuatu is significantly more developed than most of its Pacific neighbours (Fiji aside). Card machines work, taxis are easy, ATMs are everywhere, internet is decent in Port Vila and eSIMs work fine. You can genuinely enjoy a long weekend here without it being an ordeal.
The main island of Efate can be driven in around three hours without stops, and a full day circuit takes in Blue Lagoon, Eden on the River, Eton Beach, Top Rock, Nasinu Hot Springs, and – if you time it right with ferries – Hideaway Island. It’s a proper day out.
There are several car hire places in the airport and in Port Vila town. I arranged it last minute with World Car Rentals and they were great. On pricing – while the car itself will cost you around $95 for the day, most car rental places in Port Vila want huge $1500 deposits. World Car Rentals only wanted $350 deposit – more what I was expecting. I also found that many taxi drivers can be hired for an island tour for a few hours, expect to negotiate a price of around $120 for this for a half day.
🔗 If you don’t drive, there are now some pretty great tour options for Efate island. This wasn’t the case in early 2025 during my visit but options are plenty now, and with decent pricing.
Note: much of downtown Port Vila’s waterfront was affected by a significant earthquake in December 2024, and a number of cafes, restaurants and shops are still closed or operating from temporary premises. The area around the port is still worth visiting, and largely is open, just manage expectations on the waterfront strip.
Reasonably prices accommodation can be pretty rustic in Port Vila, and usually not central. For mid-range try Coconut Palms – within walking distance of the centre. And for higher-end and centrally located, try the Grand Hotel.
For a full breakdown of what to do, where to stay, and the honest verdict on Vanuatu: 👉 Read the full Vanuatu guide →
Solomon Islands in brief
Honiara is a different proposition. It’s smaller, hotter, and has considerably less tourist infrastructure than Port Vila. Getting a SIM card is a mission (Our Telekom, the main provider, is closed on Sundays, and has long queues on weekdays; eSIMs do not work here). Internet in hotels works, but you often pay per day for access.
What Honiara does have is a genuinely fascinating WWII history. The Guadalcanal campaign was one of the Pacific War’s most significant battles, and the memorials, museums, and monuments around the city tell that story in a way that’s properly moving. I knew almost nothing about this going in, and came out genuinely gripped.
A half day city tour is the best way to see the main sights – the Guadalcanal Memorial, the Solomon Scouts and Coastwatchers Monument, Unity Square, and the National Museum. I went with Hapi Isles for the Honiara City Tour – it is expensive for what it is, but that’s the Pacific, and I didn’t fancy trying to negotiate with taxis. Based on what I saw of taxi driver pricing in the city, it wouldn’t have been much cheaper anyway and I would’ve got no info.
Beyond that, the waterfront has some good cafes and the Coral Sea Resort is worth knowing about as a non-guest (pool, bar, garden – open to visitors). One to two days is genuinely enough for Honiara as a solo or first-time visitor. Getting beyond the city to places like Gizo requires significant flexibility and budget.
Accommodation in Honiara is either very basic, or pricey. Or both. The King Solomon Hotel was decent, had great food, and also a hilarious train car to get to your rooms. The Coral Sea Resort is the real deal. Stay here if your budget allows.
For the full guide to Solomon Islands: 👉 Read the full Solomon Islands guide →
What to know before you go
Currency: Vanuatu uses the Vatu (VT). Solomon Islands uses the Solomon Dollar (SBD). AUD is sometimes accepted but bank on it (ha) – just exchange at the airport. Cards work in Vanuatu without issue. In Solomon Islands, carry cash – card acceptance is patchy outside larger hotels.
Internet: Strong in Port Vila. Genuinely difficult in Honiara. See my full Pacific internet connectivity guide for the breakdown.
Weather: Both countries are tropical. December to April is the wet season – hot and humid with afternoon rains. May to October is drier and slightly cooler. Note: Vanuatu’s cyclone season runs November to April.
Getting around Vanuatu: Rent a car (from around $95/day) or hire a taxi driver for a half day (negotiate around $120). Car rental holds can be high – I found World Car Rentals much more reasonable than the airport chains. Alternatively – as of 2026 there are now loads of tours available at reasonable prices.
Getting around Honiara: Taxis from the airport into town cost around 150 SBD ($18). For sightseeing, book a guided city tour. I used Hapi Isles Tours who combined airport pickup and a tour.
Is the combined trip worth it?
Yes, with caveats. Vanuatu is absolutely worth it and you’ll want more time than one day there. Solomon Islands is worth doing if you’re in the region – the WWII history alone justifies the stop. But it’s not a place most people would fly to independently.
The combo works best as a Pacific island-hopping itinerary, particularly if you’re also heading to Papua New Guinea (direct flights from Honiara to Port Moresby). If that’s your plan, read my PNG tribal festivals guide – it’s the reason you’d go to PNG and it’s extraordinary.
FAQ
How many days do I need for Vanuatu? Realistically, two to three days to see Efate properly. One day is doable but rushed. If you dive, add at least a day or two – the WWII wreck diving here is considered world-class. If you want to do other islands, including the Tanna Island Volcano and the Espiritu Santu lagoons – spend a week.
How many days do I need for Solomon Islands? One to two days is enough for Honiara. If you want to get to Gizo or other provinces, build in at least four to five days and keep your schedule flexible.
Is Vanuatu easy to visit? Very. It’s one of the most accessible Pacific islands. Direct flights from Australia, working card machines, decent infrastructure. Much easier than most of its neighbours.
Is Solomon Islands easy to visit? Less so. Flights are limited and can change at short notice. Internet is difficult to sort. Getting out of Honiara requires flexibility and budget. But the main city sights are accessible and the city tour works well.
Where should I go after Solomon Islands? Direct flights connect Honiara to Port Moresby (Papua New Guinea), a worthwhile next stop if you’re doing a Pacific run. Read my guide to PNG’s tribal festivals for the full picture.
What’s the best time to visit? May to October for drier weather. The wet season (November to April) brings rain and, in Vanuatu’s case, cyclone risk, though travel is still possible with flexible plans.
Also worth reading:
- Rating internet connectivity across all 14 Pacific countries – Vanuatu and Solomon Islands both covered
- Hot takes on visiting every country in the Pacific – the full Pacific overview
- Is Tuvalu worth visiting? – if you’re doing the Pacific properly
- Things to do in Tonga that aren’t whale watching – I mean, it’s nearby, why not add to your plans?
- Visiting Samoa: things to do on Upolu Island – As above, if you’re in the region…!
This post contains affiliate links – if you book through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend things I’ve actually used or would genuinely use myself.
