How do you get to Kingstown?
Getting There1.4/10Among the 5% hardest cities to reach
- Main airport
- Argyle International Airport
Updated July 2026 · Sources cited: tourism.gov.vc, en.wikivoyage.org
Good to know
Good to Know
- Argyle International Airport is the only operational airport for international flights; the older E.T. Joshua Airport closed in February 2017.
- Ferry schedules can change seasonally (notably May, June, Sept, Oct, Nov for some operators) and at short notice; confirm before traveling.
- All ferries depart from Kingstown's central waterfront ferry terminal, easily accessible from city center.
- Ferry travel is a practical and affordable way to day-trip or island-hop to Bequia (1hr), Mustique (2hrs), Union Island (3-4hrs with multiple stops).
- Local van/minibus fares start at EC$1 and are extremely budget-friendly but driving is fast and reckless; not for the nervous.
- Negotiate taxi fares before getting in, as meters are not standard. The minibus alternative is significantly cheaper (EC$3 vs EC$70 from airport to city).
- International departure tax of XCD 30 is payable at airport (children under 12 and transits may be exempt).
- ATMs and currency exchange available 24/7 at Argyle Airport; arrive early if using airport exchange (closes at 1pm-2pm on weekdays).
- Walking is practical for short trips around compact city center; for day trips to surroundings use ferries or negotiate taxi/minibus fares.
- Car rental available but not recommended due to challenging mountainous terrain and road conditions.
Airport
- Name
- Argyle International Airport
- Airlines
- Air Canada, American Airlines, Caribbean Airlines, plus regional carriers (Mustique Airways, SVG Air, One Caribbean)
- IATA Code
- SVD
- Departure Tax
- XCD 30 (international)
- Airport Facilities
- Foreign exchange kiosk (Mon-Fri 8:30am-1pm, 2pm-5:30pm), 24/7 ATMs, café in arrivals area. Closes nightly around midnight until 6am.
- Travel Time By Taxi
- approximately 30 minutes
- Distance From City Center
- 16 km
Ground Transport
30 minutes
- Cost
- EC$70
- Notes
- Meters rarely used; negotiate in advance. Available at all flights.
30 minutes
- Cost
- EC$3.00
- Notes
- Walk 300m up slip road towards Windward Highway junction to hail a van. Budget option but faster driving style.
Driving recommended with caution due to mountainous terrain
- Availability
- Available at airport (Avis and other companies have kiosks)
Pre-bookable through tourism operators
- Cost
- From $35 USD per person for shared; private round-trip transfers available
Ferry Connections
- Terminal Facilities
- Air-conditioned terminal with snack bar and café
- Ferry Terminal Location
- Kingstown city center waterfront
Primary Routes
Kingstown to Bequia
- Cost
- EC$25
- Booking
- Tickets purchased on board
- Distance
- approximately 9 miles
- Frequency
- Multiple daily departures (Admiral: Mon-Fri 7:45am, 11:30am, 4:30pm; Sat 8am, 11:30am, 5:30pm; Sun & holidays 9am, 5:30pm. Bequia Express: Mon-Fri 8am, 10:30am, 1pm, 4pm, 6pm; Sat 8am, 11am, 5pm, 6pm; Sun & holidays 8am, 6pm)
- Operators
- Bequia Express, Admiral Ferries
- Cost Return
- EC$45
- Travel Time
- approximately 1 hour
Mustique Ferry
- Route
- Kingstown to Mustique
- Return
- Departs Mustique 7:30am, arrives Kingstown 9:30am
- Booking
- Tickets purchased on board
- Schedule
- Mon, Wed, Fri: departs Kingstown 2:00pm, arrives Mustique 4:00pm
MV Gem Star II
- Route
- Kingstown to Union Island (southern Grenadines)
- Booking
- Tickets purchased on board
- Schedule
- Departs Kingstown Tue & Fri 12:00am; Departs Union Island Wed & Sat 7:00am
- Travel Time
- approximately 3-4 hours with stops at Bequia, Canouan, Mayreau
- Status Note
- Jaden Sun Fast Ferry service suspended as of January 2026, expected to resume
Jaden Sun Fast Ferry (Currently Suspended)
- Route
- Inter-island connections (Bequia-Canouan-Mayreau-Union)
- Status
- Service suspended until further notice as of January 2026, but announced return coming soon
- Sample Route
- Example: Kingstown to Bequia (~30min), Bequia to Canouan (~1hr), Canouan to Mayreau (~15min), Mayreau to Union Island (~10min)
Rail
- Status
- None - no railway service
- Reason
- Mountainous terrain and small island area historically did not favor rail development
Ground Transport
Taxis
- Availability
- Plentiful throughout Kingstown
- Typical Fares
- Short city trips reasonably priced
- Notes
- Meters rarely used; negotiate fare in advance. Suitable for short trips within city center.
Car Rental
- Availability
- Available on island
- Notes
- Not recommended due to mountainous, rugged terrain and difficult road conditions
Local Vans
- Cost Starting
- EC$1.00
- Notes
- Privately owned, colorfully decorated, known for fast driving. Most popular and budget-friendly option.
- Description
- Minibus taxis (marked with 'H' license plate prefix) serve as primary public transport
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this getting there & away research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
More About Kingstown
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.