Grenada: Getting there & around

Flights to Grenada land at Point Salines International Airport on the southwestern tip of the island. There are few direct flights into Grenada from North America or Europe as most connect through Bridgetown, Barbados (BGI), San Juan, Puerto Rico (SJU), Port of Spain, Trinidad (POS), Tobago (TAB) or Antigua & Barbuda (ANU). Air Jamaica, Delta's affiliate, flies to Grenada from several US cities via Montego Bay. American Airlines serves Grenada from the US via Puerto Rico. British Airways Flies direct from London-Gatwick to Grenada. BWIA International serves Grenada via Barbados, Port of Spain or Tobago. Condor flies to Grenada via Barbados from its Frankfurt hub. Virgin Atlantic serves Grenada via Barbados, Port of Spain or Tobago. The following airlines fly to/from Grenada from within the Caribbean: Air Jamaica, American Eagle, British West Indies Air, Caribbean Star, SVG Air, LIAT.

There are two types of boats plying between Grenada and Carriacou. An old-fashioned cargo boat that takes four hours, or the Osprey, an express catamaran that takes half as long and costs twice as much. The Osprey departs from the eastern side of the Carenage. A new boat service runs between Union Island and Carriacou every Tuesday and Friday. A ferry departs Union every Monday and Thursday for Carriacou, returning the same day. You could also hop on a commercial ship that hauls goods between Union Island and Carriacou or Petit Martinique, or take a water taxi for the bumpy 40-minute ride. Grenada is also a port of call for cruise ships, which dock on the southeastern side of St George's harbor, the Carenage, or at the new dock. For yachts, customs and immigration can be cleared on Grenada Island at Spice Island Marine Services on Prickly Bay, or at Grenada Yacht Services in St George's. Most yachts anchor in St George's in the nearby lagoon. On Carriacou, clearance can be made in Hillsborough. The most frequented anchorages are along the southwestern side of Grenada.

Buses on Grenada Island are privately operated minivans and are a good way to rub shoulders with locals. Depending on passengers, it takes about 45 minutes from St George's to Grenville and 1.5 hours to Sauteurs. Buses run frequently all day. A few buses run on Sunday, though they are infrequent. To be let off, knock on the metal interior a few times just before your destination.

To drive a vehicle, you need a Grenadian driving license. They cost around EC$30.00 and can be purchased from most car-rental companies, police stations or the Traffic Department booth at the fire station on the eastern side of the Carenage in St George's. There are many rental agencies on Grenada Island: local agencies can offer you a better deal, but the international chains have better insurance deals. Drive on the left side of the road. The roads are narrow and curvy, and bus drivers are daring - slow down when approaching blind curves and use your horn liberally. There are few road signs, so a map and a measure of caution are useful.

Taxi fares are regulated by the government, although sometimes you have to negotiate.

On Carriacou, it's best to get to/from the airport by taxi. The two main bus routes run from Hillsborough - south to Tyrrel Bay and north to Windward. They operate during daylight hours and some double as taxis. There are a few places to rent vehicles on Carriacou. Quality Jeep Rental in L'Esterre, southwest of the airport, has good prices. You can hire a taxi for an island tour (2.5hr) for up to five people.