Transportation

Airlines

St. Vincent and The Grenadines is reached by air from North America and Europe through five major gateways - Barbados, Grenada, Martinique, St. Lucia, Puerto Rico, and Trinidad - with connections to Union Island, Canouan, Mustique, Bequia or St. Vincent.

Air Canada, Air France, American Airlines, British Airways, and BWIA provide service to the gateways, while Air Martinique, Airlines of Carriacou, LIAT, St. Vincent Grenadines Air, Helen Air, American Eagle, Trans Island Air, Mustique Airways and Caribbean Star provide convenient inter-island service.

Flying times to the gateways vary, depending on carrier and routing, and visitors are advised to check with their travel professional for current options. Current approximate times are:

• Barbados - 30 minutes
• Grenada - 30 minutes
• Martinique - 45 minutes
• St. Lucia - 20 minutes
• Puerto Rico - 2 1/4 hours.

The SVG information desk in the Arrivals Section of Grantley Adams International Airport in Barbados is open daily from approximately 1 PM until the last flight to St. Vincent departs. Personnel are on hand to assist travellers in making connections to SVG destinations.

Visitors who arrive by air are reminded to confirm their return flights at least 48 hours in advance of departure. Local phone numbers of airlines follow for your convenience in making that confirmation.

Top of Page

Ferry Boats

Four motor vessels provide scheduled inter-island service. It it suggested that you arrive no later than 15 minutes prior to scheduled departure. Schedule is subject to change due to weather and other local conditions. Visitors should consult their hotelier for the latest information.

Fares (EC$)East Caribbean Dollar exchange
rate now between $2.60 and $2.68 EC to $1 US

• St. Vincent to Bequia $15
• St. Vincent to Mayreau $15
• St. Vincent to Union Island $20
• St. Vincent to Canouan $13

Vessels and Schedules

<!--Bequia Expres-->

<!-- Admiral I -->

Top of Page

Bus Service

Bus service throughout St. Vincent is provided by vans from early morning through evening. There is none during the night. During those hours one may summon a taxi by phone.

In the capital city, Kingstown, buses serving all parts of the island can be found in the center of the marketplace which is the primary terminus for most travel.

Our visitors, especially those accustomed to traffic on the opposite side of the road, are urged to exercise great caution and vigilance before crossing a road and to do so only at a place with a clear view in both directions. Winding roads can hide an approaching vehicle.

Taxis

Taxis are not metered. Fares are set by the government. As rates are subject to change, it is best to obtain an up-to-date price list from the Tourist Bureau Office in the Government Administration Building on Bay Street in Kingstown. The Tourist Information Office is on the ground floor of the building to the left of the fountain.

Both you and the driver will be happiest if you discuss and agree on the fare before entering the taxi.

Visitors often are surprised by the excellent condition of taxi vehicles. Professional drivers usually spend a great deal of time and effort to keep them in pristine condition. It is not unusual to encounter a ten year old taxi which looks and feels showroom new.

Car Rentals

To rent an automobile, visitors must possess a current international driver’s license or purchase a local driver’s license .

A local license may be purchased at the airport, the Police Station on Bay Street, or the Licensing Authority on Halifax Street upon presentation of a valid driver’s license from your place of residence, and $50 EC.

Please note that driving is on the left in St. Vincent and The Grenadines. We urge that visitors from countries where vehicles drive on the right should exercise great caution or avail themselves of one of the many forms of public transportation available.

Cruise Ships

Cruise ships put into the new cruise ship terminal in Kingstown Harbour in St. Vincent, and depending on their size, in some of The Grenadines.

Yachts

St. Vincent and The Grenadines offer a paradise of anchorages. Official Ports of Entry in St. Vincent are at Wallilabou, on the northwestern coast, and Kingstown; however, many yachtsmen anchor at Blue Lagoon or Young Island, and take a taxi to Kingstown to complete Customs and Immigration.

In The Grenadines, Ports of Entry are at Bequia, Mustique, Union Island, and Canouan.

Local companies are ready to rent barefoot yachts with or without crew and some resorts, such as Young Island have their own, at the ready, for your pleasure.

Top of Page