Antigua - Transportation 

By Taxi -- Taxis meet every airplane, and drivers wait outside the major hotels. If you're going to spend a few days here, a particular driver may try to "adopt" you. The typical one-way fare from the airport to St. John's is $15, but to English Harbour it's $28 and up. The government of Antigua fixes rates, and taxis are meterless.

Taxis aren't cheap, but they're the best way to see Antigua, as the drivers also act as guides. Most taxi tours go from the St. John's area to English Harbour. Drivers generally charge $45 for 3 or 4 passengers and often wait 30 minutes or more while you sightsee around English Harbour. If you split the cost with another couple, these tours become more affordable.

By Rental Car -- Renting a car on Antigua is not advisable. Newly arrived drivers quickly learn that the island's roads are terribly potholed and poorly signposted.

If you decide to drive despite these warnings, you must obtain an Antiguan license, which costs $20 and requires a valid driver's license from home. Most car-rental firms can issue you an Antiguan license, which they usually do without a surcharge. Remember to drive on the left.

It's best to stick with the major U.S. rental companies rather than use a local agency. Avis and Hertz www.hertz.com) offer pickup service at the airport. Another agency to try is Dollar on Nevis St., St. John's Budget is also represented on Antigua with a kiosk at the airport 

By Bus -- Although buses are a cheap option, we don't recommend them for the average visitor. Service is erratic and undependable, and roads are impossibly bumpy. Buses are supposed to operate between St. John's and the villages daily from 5:30am to 6pm, but don't count on it. In St. John's, buses leave from two different "stations" -- on Market Street, near the Central Market, and on Independence Avenue, adjacent to the Botanical Gardens. Most fares are $1.