Antigua & Barbuda

Getting there & away

Sea

Cruise ship

Antigua is a major port of call for cruise ships. The island’s cruise-ship terminal, at Heritage Quay in St John’s Harbour, has a duty-free shopping center, and is within easy walking distance of St John’s main sights. Cruise ships also anchor near Falmouth Harbor and taxi their passengers into the harbor for the day.

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Water

Ferry

There is a sometime ferry service between Antigua and Montserrat. However, it is more off than on, much to the displeasure of locals who can’t afford the high airfares. Check ­locally to see if it is running.

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Entering the destination

Entering antigua & barbuda

All visitors need a valid passport and a round-trip or onward ticket, though immigration officials seem to be more interested in where you plan to stay. On arrival, you’ll be given an immigration form to complete.

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Air

VC Bird International Airport (ANU; 462-0358) is about 5 miles from St John’s center. It has an ATM, a bureau de change (7am-7pm Mon-Fri), a dozen car-rental companies and a post office. For those departing, it has a rudimentary café, a minute bookstore and paid wi-fi once you’re past security.

Those arriving during peak afternoon hours should note that the immigration situation here is among the worst in the region. Waits of up to two hours are common and the staff are unlikely to present you with a warm welcome. Locals complain bitterly and all have horror stories such as the officer who rejects forms for having been filled out with the wrong shade of blue ink. The pernickety hassles can extend to your efforts to leave the island. Watch your shade of ink and handwriting skills!

The following airlines serve Antigua from these cities (some services are seasonal and only weekly) :

Air Canada (800-744-2472; www.aircanada.com) Toronto

American/American Eagle (800-433-7300; www.aa.com) San Juan

BMI (800-788-0555; www.flybmi.com) Manchester

British Airways (800-247-9297; www.britishairways.com) London

Carib Aviation (481-2401/2/3; www.carib-aviation.com) Dominica, Guadeloupe, St Lucia

Caribbean Airlines (formerly BWIA; 800-744-2225; www.caribbean-airlines.com) Barbados, Kingston, Jamaica, Trinidad

Continental (800-231-0856; www.continetal.com) Newark

Delta (800-221-1212; www.delta.com) Atlanta

LIAT (462-0700; www.liat.com) Anguilla, Barbados, Dominica, San Juan, St Thomas, St Vincent, St-Marten/Sint Maarten, Trinidad

US Airways (800-622-1015; www.usairways.com) Charlotte, Philadelphia

Virgin Atlantic (800-744-7477; www.virgin-atlantic.com) London

Winair (462-2522; www.fly-winair.com) Montserrat, St-Marten/Sint Maarten

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