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) to the northeast part 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: Ba, 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 hire companies (Hertz, Avis, Budget, local companies) desks at airport.
Many resorts offer pre-arranged hotel transport.

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 ahead of time for lower prices 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 review-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 hired item agency.

Companies & Booking

Major companies like Hertz, Avis, Budget, Thrifty, and local firms. Booking in advance is recommended, particularly in busy times. 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 difficult because of 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 operating a vehicle 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.
Native drivers may drive aggressively. Be aware of stray animals on roads.

Road Conditions & Challenges

Road quality is not consistent greatly island-wide. Main routes are usually 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 is based on roads and vehicles.

Local Routes

Public buses operate local routes throughout the island.
No "long-distance" coach operators 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

Pavement quality varies greatly; expect uneven surfaces and blind corners.
Adherence to speed limits by native drivers can vary.
Motorcycle and scooter rentals need be careful because of 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 encouraged for hiring a car.

Sea Arrivals

Ferry Services

Sea travel options mainly include ferries plus 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 lasts about 90 minutes. Visit the Barbuda Express website for timetables and booking.
Sporadic or charter ferry services might be present 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 customs and immigration are usually not needed for brief visits.
Taxis are readily is available straight from 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, certain specialized transport exists for specific activities or accessibility.

Tour & Water Options

Tour Buses: Various operators offer guided bus tours covering major island attractions. These aren't hop-on-hop-off services.
Boat Taxis: Available for getting from one to another 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 circling the island for leisure.

Accessibility Services

Accessibility infrastructure is developing but is not common. 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 automobiles 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 hire car gives you 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