Cruise ship at St. Kitts harbor; (c) Soul Of America
St. Kitts Transportation
Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport (SKB) accommodates direct flights from North America and Europe. Guests headed to Nevis are met by staff from their hotels and escorted to water taxi for the 6-minute transfer over 2 1/2 miles to Nevis.
There are frequent flights from NY (JFK & Newark), Atlanta, Miami, Charlotte, Toronto, Minneapolis, London and Paris to SKB Airport. Among commercial airlines, United, American, Delta, Air Canada, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Air France, Liat, Condor and Sun Country fly to SKB Airport, which includes these passenger amenities:
– Free Wi-Fi access
– ATMs
– Currency Exchange
– Post Office
– Car Rentals
– Airport Lounge
– Duty Free Shops
– Restaurants & cafes
Guests from nearby islands such as Puerto Rico, Antigua, Anguilla, St. Thomas USVI, Tortola BVI, St. Barth and St. Maarten often arrive at SKB Airport, then take taxi rides directly to their hotels. The vendors rent automobiles on St. Kitts.
Avis – 869-465-6507
Hertz – 869-465-7822
Thrifty – 869-465-2991
ABC Car Hire – 869-466-9284
Bullseye – 869-465-5656
Local transportation is also available via mini-bus or taxis. Fares are available from the airport dispatchers, the Circus in Basseterre and from your hotel front desk. There is a 50% surcharge between 10 PM and 6 AM. Taxi fares are the same for 1-4 riders, with prices that range from $8 to $80, depending on distance traveled around the island of St. Kitts. Nevis is a smaller island so the high end of taxi fares is lower there.
Aside from being a great way to tour the island, taxis offer insight to the island’s culture. The comfortable vans are each uniquely decorated and themed to express the driver’s personality. Even better, the drivers are enthusiastic, well versed to inform vacationers, including tips on their favorite local foods and restaurants and where to spot some of St. Kitts’ many playful and amusing Green Vervet monkeys. Ask to visit Black Rocks, the volcanic rock formations on the Northern coast. Better yet, ask any taxi operator to show you the best of his island.
Safari Jeep on a St. Kitts hillside; credit SKTA
The ferry ride between St. Kitts and Nevis takes about 45 minutes and provides beautiful views of both islands. There are six ferries operating between the islands: MV Caribe Queen; MV Carib Breeze; MV Carib Surf; MV Mark Twain; MV Sea Hustler and the Sea Bridge. These vessels provide service, between Basseterre (St. Kitts) and Charlestown (Nevis). One-way fares are:
Adults: XCD $25.00 includes XCD $1 tax (USD 8.00)
Children under 12 years old: XCD $15.00 (USD 4.00)
A water taxi is a chartered service between St. Kitts to Nevis. From St. Kitts, the ferries operate from Reggae Beach Pier at Cockleshell Bay and at Christophe Harbour’s Marina. Operations on Nevis are from Fort Seasons Pier and Oualie Beach. Each trip last 10-15 minutes. Water taxis can also be hired as charters to your schedule. Normal Fees is $20 US per person. Charter Boat $80 US 1-4 persons. To book your water taxi, contact:
Islander Water Sports
Oualie Beach, Nevis
Cell: 869-662-7081
St. Kitts is a frequent port of call for cruise lines operating in the Eastern Caribbean. In the capital city of Basseterre, you’ll arrive at Porte Zante, in the center of the harbor. The port offers a duty-free shopping district with more than 60 shops offering deals on watches, jewelry, diamonds, and colored gemstones. You can also sign up for an Nevis excursion with one of the many ground operators here, or ask questions at St. Kitts Tourism Authority office, located on the ground floor of Pelican Mall.
