Getting around Antigua and Barbuda
How taxis, buses and rental cars work on Antigua, and how the ferry and flights link it to Barbuda, with fares and fees dated where an operator publishes them.
Airports
V.C. Bird International Airport on Antigua is the country's main airport. Barbuda has had a new airport since October 3, 2024:
V.C. Bird International
Antigua
The main airport. Its website lists the taxi service, the car rental companies and the ArriveAntigua online arrival form
Barbuda International Airport
Barbuda
Opened on October 3, 2024 as Burton-Nibbs International Airport, the day after Codrington Airport closed
Taxis & ride-sharing
Official Taxis
Taxis are not metered. UK government advice says standard fares are set by zone, and the tourism authority says fixed fares are posted at the airport and at taxi stands. Agree the fare and the currency with the driver before you set off. At the cruise port, the port's FAQ sends passengers to any Guest Information Center or Taxi Dispatch Station and names the St. John's Taxi Association as its authorized ground transportation provider.
Ride-Hailing Apps
Swyft advertises an Antigua ride-hailing app with cashless payment and the fare shown before you book, and AllMart Rides lists an app for booking verified taxis. Whether Uber itself operates in Antigua is not confirmed by an official source as of October 9, 2026.
A Taxi for the Day
A taxi hired for a half or full day can link English Harbour, Shirley Heights and the west-coast beaches in one trip. We found no current official day rate, so agree the route, the total fare and the currency before you start.
Hotel Transfers
Ask your hotel before you fly whether it arranges a transfer from V.C. Bird International Airport and what it costs. Otherwise use the taxi service at the airport, where the fixed zone fares are posted.
Public transportation
Public Buses
Buses run between St. John's and the surrounding villages. The tourism authority gives the operating hours as 5:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and warns that schedules can be unpredictable, so treat those hours as a window, not a timetable, and plan your return well before evening.
No Buses on Barbuda
The tourism authority says public transportation is not available in Barbuda, so arrange a taxi or a tour there before you cross. On Antigua the published bus hours end at 6 p.m.; after that, plan on a taxi.
St. John's Bus Stations
Bus travel starts from the East Bus Station or the West Bus Station in St. John's, the two starting points named by the tourism authority. Ask at the station which bus serves your destination.
Renting a car
A rental car lets you reach beaches and viewpoints on your own schedule. You need a temporary Antigua and Barbuda driving license as well as the license from home: the police list the fee as EC$50 or US$20, as of October 9, 2026.
Good to Know
- •V.C. Bird International Airport lists car rental companies on its website
- •The temporary license can cover any period up to three months (Vehicles and Road Traffic Act, Section 40)
- •The police ask for your original valid driver's license and a local address; an authorized rental company can also issue the license
- •Minimum age, deposit and insurance terms are set by each rental company, not by the licensing rules, so ask before you book
- •Ask whether a quoted rental rate includes sales tax (ABST); the standard rate was raised to 17% on January 1, 2024
Watch Out For
- •Drive on the LEFT, UK style, including at roundabouts
- •Rural roads can be narrow and winding, so allow extra time
- •Watch for potholes and slow down on roads you do not know
- •After dark, keep to routes you have already driven in daylight
- •Carry the temporary license and your home license whenever you drive
Ferries & boats
A ferry and scheduled flights link Antigua with Barbuda:
- Barbuda Express ferry - a catamaran managed by Sea Bridge Ltd. Adult fares are EC$175 (US$65) one way and EC$325 (US$120) return, effective July 1, 2026. The operator's boarding notice names Jolly Harbour Marina, although its schedule table and the tourism authority, which gives the crossing as 90 minutes, still say St. John's, so confirm the departure point when you book
- Sailing days - the operator advertises ferries every day, but its schedule shows Wednesday and Thursday departures as overnight stays in Barbuda, not same-day returns. If you go out and come back on different days, it says to buy separate one-way tickets or contact it
- Antigua to Barbuda flights - BMN SVG Airways advertises daily flights to Barbuda. Codrington Airport closed on October 2, 2024, and Barbuda International Airport opened the next day
Quick cost comparison
| Transport | Typical Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Public bus | No official fare table found | Daytime trips between St. John's and the villages |
| Taxi (zone fare) | Fixed by zone, posted at the airport and taxi stands | Airport transfers, convenience |
| Taxi for the day | Agreed with the driver in advance | English Harbour, Shirley Heights and beaches in one day |
| Car rental | Set by each rental company | Exploring at your own pace |
| Temporary driving license | EC$50 or US$20 (police fee, as of October 9, 2026) | Required to drive; valid up to three months |
| Barbuda Express ferry | US$65 one way, US$120 return (adult, from July 1, 2026) | Reaching Barbuda by sea |
Need more travel tips?
Next: tipping, money, mobile data and what to pack, on the local tips page.