How do you get to St. John's?
Getting There1.4/10Among the 5% hardest cities to reach
- Main airport
- V.C. Bird International Airport
Updated July 2026 · Sources cited: vcbia.com, en.wikipedia.org
Good to know
Good to Know
- Airport is only 8 km from downtown—quick taxi ride (10-15 min). Fixed taxi fares remove haggling.
- Ferry to Barbuda can experience rough seas; take motion sickness tablets if prone. Early departures (typically 8:30 AM).
- No rail system in Antigua and Barbuda.
- Barbuda ferry departed from St. John's Harbour historically but moved to Jolly Harbour Marina in November 2023—confirm current boarding location before travel.
- Buses operate early morning to early evening; plan ground travel accordingly.
- Getting around the entire island of Antigua takes ~45 minutes by car—very compact and easy to navigate.
Airport
- Name
- V.C. Bird International Airport
- IATA Code
- ANU
- Connections
- Connects to 50+ destinations across North America, Europe, and the Caribbean
- International
- Yes
- Distance From Center Km
- 8
- Distance From Center Miles
- 5
Ferry Connections
To Barbuda
- Operator
- Barbuda Express (primary service)
- Frequency
- Daily service
- Departure Point
- Jolly Harbour Marina (as of November 2023; previously St. John's Harbour at bottom of High Street)
- Round Trip Ticket Cost
- EC$230
- Typical Departure Time
- 8:30 AM
- Journey Duration Minutes
- 90
- Notes
- Wave-piercing catamaran. Can be rough in choppy seas. Book ahead recommended. Multiple ferry operators available (Typhoon Express, Leeward Express also serve route).
Day Tour To Barbuda
- Cost
- EC$442
- Includes
- Round-trip ferry, island tour, visit to Frigate Bird Sanctuary, beach access, lobster lunch
Airport Ground Transport
Bus
- Details
- Minivans Antigua operates direct buses from airport to city center every 15 minutes. Journey ~7 minutes to airport area, ~35 minutes to downtown St. John's (Route 42 or 63). Stop is distance from terminal, not recommended for heavy baggage.
- Available
- Yes
Taxi
- Cost One Way
- EC$95
- Duration Minutes
- 10
- Notes
- Fixed government-regulated fares. Airport has ground transportation hub (Terminal B, opened February 2026). Taxis available at arrival level.
Car Rental
- Available
- Yes
- Operators
- Avis, Dollar, Hertz, Alamo, Thrifty, plus local operators
Ground Transport Options
Buses
- System
- Public minibuses operate throughout island
- Coverage
- Run between St. John's and various villages
- Affordability
- Budget-friendly, local experience
- Operating Hours
- 5:30 AM to 6:00 PM daily
Taxis
- System
- Government-regulated fixed fares, not metered
- Availability
- Readily available at airport and major hotels
- Driving Side
- Left
- Notes
- Drivers often provide local tour services. Rates posted in vehicle.
Car Rental
- Considerations
- Popular option for independent travel. Roads paved throughout island. Speed limit 40 mph.
Driving Permit
- Cost
- EC$135
- Requirement
- Valid driver's license required
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 St. John's
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.