How to Get to Antigua. Flights, Transportation, Airlines

Air Travel

Airlines & Routes

V.C. Bird International Airport (ANU) serves as the main international gateway, located about 8 km (5 miles) northeast of St. John's.

Direct Flights

From North America: American Airlines, JetBlue, Delta, United, Air Canada, WestJet from major hubs (NYC, MIA, ATL, YYZ).
From Europe: British Airways, Virgin Atlantic (London), Condor (Frankfurt, seasonal).
From Caribbean: LIAT, Caribbean Airlines, interCaribbean Airways.

Airport Facilities & Transfers

ANU features a modern, single terminal with duty-free shops, car rental, ATMs, currency exchange, restaurants, and free Wi-Fi.

Getting to Accommodation

Taxis are available outside; fixed fares (e.g., ANU to St. John's: $15-25 USD, to English Harbour: $30-40 USD).
Car rental agencies (Hertz, Avis, Budget, local companies) desks at airport.
Many resorts offer pre-arranged hotel shuttles.

Seasonal Flight Availability

High Season (Mid-Dec to Mid-May) sees increased frequency and higher prices. Low Season (July-Oct) brings reduced frequency and lower prices.

Price Fluctuations

Book flights several months in advance for better rates during high season. Low season may offer promotional deals.

Flight Deals

Consider Dollar Flight Club for low fares, and Skyscanner for comparing flight prices.

Departure Information

Exit Fees & Procedures

Departure tax is typically included in your airfare. Verify this with your airline.
No separate departure tax is paid at the airport.
For international flights, arrive at ANU at least 2-3 hours before departure.
Proceed to check-in, security screening, and immigration before heading to your gate.

Airport Facilities for Departing Travelers

The departure lounge offers duty-free shopping, restaurants, and bars.
VIP Lounges, like The Executive Lounge, are available for eligible passengers.
Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the terminal.
Accessibility features are present, including ramps and accessible restrooms.

Car Rental & Driving

Requirements

Minimum age 21-25 (company dependent). Valid foreign driver's license (held for at least one year) and a temporary Antiguan driving permit (XCD 50 / USD 18.50), obtainable from the rental agency.

Companies & Booking

Major companies like Hertz, Avis, Budget, Thrifty, and local firms. Booking in advance is recommended, especially in high season. Check DiscoverCars.com for options.

Road Conditions & Safety

Drive on the left. Main roads are paved but can be narrow with potholes. Secondary roads are rough. Night driving can be challenging due to poor lighting. Watch for stray animals.

Land Transportation

Driving Side & Rules

Antigua drives on the left-hand side of the road. Seatbelts are mandatory. Drinking and driving is against the law.

Speed Limits & Vigilance

Speed limits are typically 40 mph (64 km/h) outside towns.
In built-up areas, limits are 20 mph (32 km/h). Adherence to limits varies.
Local drivers may drive aggressively. Be aware of stray animals on roads.

Road Conditions & Challenges

Road quality varies greatly across the island. Main routes are generally paved but can be narrow and sometimes have potholes.

Secondary Roads & Hazards

Secondary roads can be rough and unpaved. Signage may be limited.
Night driving can be challenging due to poor lighting and unmarked obstacles.
Flooding can occur during heavy rains.

No Train Services

Antigua does not have train services. All land travel relies on roads and vehicles.

Local Routes

Public buses operate local routes throughout the island.
No "long-distance" bus companies due to the island's small size.
See the "Local Transportation" section for more details on public buses.

Border & Inter-Island Travel

No border crossings exist on the island of Antigua. Travel between Antigua and Barbuda is domestic.

Domestic Connections

Travel between Antigua and Barbuda occurs by ferry or air.
The Barbuda Express ferry operates between St. John's (Antigua) and Barbuda.
Air travel is generally more common for inter-island connections.

Important Driving Notes

Road quality varies greatly; expect uneven surfaces and blind corners.
Adherence to speed limits by local drivers can vary.
Motorcycle and scooter rentals need caution due to challenging roads. Helmets are usually needed.

Parking is generally ample at hotels, attractions, and beaches.
In St. John's, street parking can be limited; look for designated areas.
Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) is recommended for car rentals.

Sea Arrivals

Ferry Services

Sea travel options mainly include ferries and cruise ships.

Inter-Island Ferries

Antigua to Barbuda: The Barbuda Express ferry operates between St. John's (Antigua) and Barbuda, typically 3-4 times a week.
The journey takes about 90 minutes. Visit the Barbuda Express website for schedules and booking.
Sporadic or charter ferry services may exist to nearby islands like Montserrat or St. Kitts. Air travel is generally more common.

Cruise Ports & Procedures

Antigua's main cruise port is in the capital, St. John's.

Port Details & Connections

St. John's Cruise Port: This port (Heritage Quay & Redcliffe Quay) serves large international cruise ships.
Cruise passengers are typically cleared by the ship's manifest; individual immigration checks are usually not needed for brief visits.
Taxis are readily available directly at Heritage Quay and Redcliffe Quay. Public buses are a short walk away.

No River Transport

Antigua lacks large navigable rivers, so no significant river transportation exists.

Immigration for Ferry

For travel between Antigua and Barbuda, standard domestic travel procedures apply. International ferries go through immigration similar to air arrivals.

Ferry Terminal Access

The ferry terminal in St. John's is centrally located, allowing walks to nearby areas or public bus access. Taxis are also available nearby.

Local Transport Overview

Specialized Transport

Beyond standard options, some specialized transport exists for specific activities or accessibility.

Tour & Water Options

Tour Buses: Various operators offer guided bus tours covering major island attractions. These are not hop-on-hop-off services.
Boat Taxis: Available for transfers between certain coastal areas or short hops between bays (e.g., Jolly Harbour to Five Islands beaches). Fares are negotiable.
Excursion Boats: Numerous catamaran and sailing excursions offer day trips around the island for leisure.

Accessibility Services

Accessibility infrastructure is developing but is not widespread. Some newer resorts offer accessible rooms and facilities.

Challenges & Tips

Public transportation, like buses, is not accessible.
Taxis may be able to assist, but specific accessible vehicles are rare.
Pre-arranging accessible transfers with a tour operator or hotel is advised.

Unique Transport Absent

No Cable Cars

Antigua does not have any cable car systems.

No Funiculars

There are no funiculars on the island.

No Unique Local Transport

Other similar unique local transport systems are not present.

Travel Flexibility

For exploring Antigua, a rental car offers the most flexibility. However, taxis are readily available for shorter trips, and public minivans are a budget-friendly option for those with flexible schedules.

How to Get to Antigua