Getting around
Low
Updated July 2026 · Sources cited: takeyourbackpack.com, expatfocus.com
Overall2.1/10Harder to get around than about 85% of cities
Good to know
Good to Know
- Downtown St. John's is walkable for 10-15 minutes but becomes car/taxi dependent beyond the center.
- Public minibuses are the cheapest option (EC$1.25–EC$3.75 per ride) but operate on informal schedules without apps; exact cash required.
- No Uber or Lyft; rely on government-regulated taxis with fixed fares or local minibuses.
- Taxi drivers may attempt meter evasion or scenic routing; confirm rates beforehand and use GPS to verify routes.
- Car rental is more practical than taxis for multi-day stays; temporary license (EC$50, 3 months) can be obtained immediately.
- Scooter and bike rentals exist but are niche; scooters are eco-friendly and parking-friendly in the city center.
- Narrow colonial streets in downtown; be mindful of mobility issues on uneven sidewalks and missing curbs.
- Driving is on the left; many vehicles are left-hand drive (not typical for left-side driving countries).
- Hurricane season (June–October) may affect transport reliability; plan accordingly.
Taxis
- Safety
- Taxi travel is generally very safe, including for solo passengers
- Status
- Government-regulated network; fixed-fare system (not metered)
- Payment
- Cash or card accepted at end of ride
- Within City
- Compact center; short rides between harbour, George Street, Signal Hill
- Availability
- Taxi stands at airport, harbours, hotels, downtown areas; can flag on street if roof light is on
- Airport To St Johns
- EC$82
Scam Patterns
- Meter 'not working' claims with inflated flat-rate quotes; insist meter be used or find another cab
- Unnecessarily circuitous routes to increase fare; use GPS to track and question detours
Car Rental
- Daily Rates
- Not specified in sources; described as 'not cheap' by nomads; more convenient and cost-effective than frequent taxis for extended stays
- Availability
- Multiple rental agencies with offices at airport and downtown St. John's
- Requirements
- Valid home-country driver's license; temporary Antigua license (XCD$50, valid 3 months) available from Transport Board or police station
- Vehicle Types
- Compact cars, SUVs, minivans; most are automatic, left-hand drives; driving is on the left
- Notes
- Many rental shops available; affordable 'daily' rates exist but vary. Free airport pickup often included.
Operators
- St. John's Car Rental
- Sky Car Rental & Lease
- Dollar Rent a Car
Bike Rental
- Operators
- Fat Tire Electric Bike Tours (island-wide tours); other casual rentals not widely documented
- Availability
- Limited; electric bikes available through specialized operators
- Notes
- Not a primary transport mode in St. John's; primarily used for structured tours rather than daily commuting.
Walkability
- Getting Around Tier
- low
- Qualitative Assessment
- The center is walkable for tourism and commerce, but sidewalks are inconsistent and not always in good condition. Narrow colonial streets and crowded conditions characterize downtown. Beyond 10 minutes from the center, pedestrian infrastructure becomes sparse and unreliable.
- Getting Around Tier Rationale
- Only the compact downtown core is walkable, with sparse sidewalks elsewhere and no strong evidence of reliable public transit or rideshare coverage, making a car or taxi generally necessary for daily mobility.
- Description
- Downtown St. John's is compact and partially walkable within the central area, with key destinations reachable on foot in roughly 15 minutes. However, pedestrian infrastructure is limited and deteriorating outside the core. The downtown and Heritage Quay areas are navigable for short trips; beyond these zones, continuous sidewalks and street lighting are sparse.
Local Transit
- Coverage
- Island-wide network of routes serving St. John's and wider Antigua
- Vehicles
- 12-person minivans, manual transmission, right-hand drive
- Schedules
- Routes operate from early morning (5am+) to late evening (11pm+); frequency varies by route
- System Name
- Public minibus system (private operated)
- Payment Method
- Cash only; exact change advised
- Notes
- Minibuses are the primary public transport. Drivers are known for fast driving but safe delivery. No app required; simple flag-down or dispatch system. Service is frequent but informal scheduling.
Fares
XCD
XCD
Bus Stations
- West Bus Station (St. John's)
- East Bus Station
Scooter Rental
- Included
- Helmet, lock, top case, GPS, insurance (varies by operator)
- Availability
- Available across Antigua; companies in St. John's and wider island
- Vehicle Types
- 125cc mopeds (seats 2); electric scooters (single rider); standard motorcycles
- Rental Cost Range
- From approximately 10 USD per day (based on booking sites); EC$ pricing varies by operator
- Notes
- Eco-friendly option; scooter parking easy in city center. International Driving Permit (IDP) sometimes requested; security deposit (cash or card) common. Many companies offer pickup/delivery at cruise terminals.
Operators
- Antigua Scooter Rental (delivery/pickup at Heritage Quay, VC Bird Airport)
- EV Bike Rentals (Jolly Harbour; eco-friendly fleet)
Requirements Licensing
- 50cc scooter: ordinary car (B) license
- 125cc scooter: A1/A2 license
- 150cc+: full A license
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this walkability & transport 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.