Antigua is a small island — roughly 14 miles wide and 11 miles long — so no destination is truly far. But since there is no public transport from the airport, you are paying for a taxi or transfer regardless.
How the taxi fares work
Antigua taxi fares from the airport are regulated: the Antigua & Barbuda Transport Board sets an official zone-based schedule with government approval, so every licensed driver should charge the same rate for the same route. There is no meter and nothing to negotiate. Rates are per taxi, not per person, for up to 4 passengers, with surcharges for extra passengers and excess luggage, and a late-night premium may apply.
The rate is posted at the taxi dispatch area — ask for it there. That matters more than it sounds. The Transport Board's schedule is not published anywhere current: the airport's own site lists no fares, and the copies of the rate sheet floating around online are years out of date. Travel sites quote figures for the same route that disagree with each other by a factor of two, which is a good sign none of them have the real thing. The dispatcher does.
So confirm the fare with the dispatcher before you get in, and ask about the luggage and extra-passenger surcharges at the same time.
What drives the cost: distance
Everything on Antigua is priced off how far across the island you are going.
| Destination | Drive from ANU |
|---|---|
| Jumby Bay ferry dock | 5 min |
| St. John's | 15 min |
| Dickenson Bay / Runaway Bay | 15 min |
| Valley Church / Ffryes Beach | 25 min |
| Jolly Harbour | 25-30 min |
| Curtain Bluff | 30 min |
| Half Moon Bay | 35 min |
| English Harbour / Nelson's Dockyard | 40 min |
Fixed-price private transfer
ANU Dickenson Bay Beach
From€45for 2 passengers
Other destinations
The north coast is cheapest, the south coast most expensive.
Pre-booked private transfers
Private transfer rates are generally in the same range or slightly above taxi fares, and the quote is fixed when you book — so you can hold it up against the dispatcher's rate and decide. The advantage is a confirmed booking, a known vehicle, and payment handled in advance. For destinations far from the airport, or a late arrival, that certainty has real value.
Resort transfers
Many resorts include airport transfers in their packages. This is common at all-inclusive properties like Sandals, Galley Bay, and Curtain Bluff. If your resort offers this, it is effectively free (built into your room rate). Always confirm before arrival, as some resorts only include transfers for certain room categories or package types.
Rental cars
Rental agencies operate at the airport. You need a temporary Antiguan driving licence, which the agency arranges for a fee on top of the rental. For a one-way airport-to-resort trip, renting does not make financial sense — it only pays off if you plan to drive throughout your stay.
Currency
Both US dollars and Eastern Caribbean dollars (EC$) are accepted everywhere, and the EC dollar is pegged to the US dollar — check the current rate before you travel. Taxis quote fares in USD by default. ATMs at the airport dispense EC$, and some also offer USD.
Tipping
Tipping taxi drivers is customary. Pre-booked transfer drivers should be tipped similarly.
Bottom line
Get the fare from the dispatcher before you get in — that is the one number that is actually current. The north coast is cheapest, the south coast most expensive, and no journey on the island is long. If your resort includes transfers, take advantage of it. Otherwise, a taxi or pre-booked transfer both work — the difference between them is more about convenience than cost.