✈️ How to Get There
Getting to and around Saint Lucia
✈️ Flying to Saint Lucia
Two Airports
Hewanorra International Airport (UVF) — the main international gateway, located near Vieux Fort on the southern tip of the island. This is where all long-haul flights arrive. It sits approximately 90 minutes by road from Castries and 45 minutes from Soufrière. Modern terminal with immigration and duty-free facilities.
George F.L. Charles Airport (SLU) — a smaller airport 3km from central Castries in the north. Handles regional Caribbean routes only — no long-haul. Useful for connections from Barbados, Martinique, Antigua, and other Eastern Caribbean islands.
Airlines flying direct to Hewanorra (UVF):
- British Airways — Direct from London Gatwick (approximately 9 hours)
- Virgin Atlantic — Direct from London Heathrow
- American Airlines — From Miami (MIA), New York JFK, Charlotte (CLT)
- Delta — From Atlanta (ATL) and New York JFK, peak season
- JetBlue — From New York JFK and Boston
- United — From Newark (EWR), seasonal
- Air Canada — From Toronto (YYZ), seasonal
- WestJet — From Toronto and Calgary, seasonal
- Caribbean Airlines — Regional connections from Trinidad, Barbados, Jamaica
💡 Booking Tip
Flights to Saint Lucia are most plentiful December–April (peak season). The best fares from the UK and North America are found in May–June and October–November. Avoid the Christmas–New Year window if price matters — it is the most expensive week of the year.
🚕 From Hewanorra Airport to Your Destination
Private Taxi
Official taxis wait outside arrivals at UVF. Rates are fixed and quoted per vehicle. The journey north to Castries or Rodney Bay takes 90 minutes; to Soufrière it is around 45 minutes. Always confirm the total fare before departing — taxis are not metered. Sharing with other passengers from your flight reduces the cost per person.
Hotel Transfer
Most resorts and larger hotels offer pre-arranged airport transfers. Worth booking in advance, particularly for properties in Soufrière or Marigot Bay where the journey involves mountain roads. Transfers simplify the arrival considerably and are typically priced per vehicle.
Minibus (Cheapest)
Public minibuses run from Vieux Fort (near UVF) north to Castries. Fares are a fraction of a taxi. The journey is around 90 minutes and buses fill before departing rather than running on fixed schedules. Not practical for Soufrière or beach resorts — but a genuine local experience if you are heading to Castries. Ask at the airport for the minibus stop.
Water Taxi (Soufrière Area)
For resorts near Soufrière and Jalousie Beach, water taxis operate across the bay. Some properties arrange this directly. It avoids the mountain road entirely and arrives at the waterfront — a far more scenic introduction to the island.
⛴️ Arriving from Other Caribbean Islands
Caribbean Airlines connects Saint Lucia with Trinidad, Barbados, Jamaica, and other islands. The main regional carrier following LIAT's closure. Book at caribbean-airlines.com.
Inter-island flights to George F.L. Charles Airport (SLU) near Castries operate from Barbados, Martinique, Antigua, and Dominica. LIAT routes are now served by a mix of Caribbean Airlines and smaller regional operators. Check current schedules before booking.
L’Express des Îles ferry connects Castries with Fort-de-France (Martinique), Roseau (Dominica), and Pointe-à-Pitre (Guadeloupe). A scenic and affordable alternative to flying between these French Caribbean islands. Book at express-des-iles.com.
Cruise ships dock at Pointe Seraphine or La Place Carenage in Castries harbour — both within walking distance of the city centre. Saint Lucia is one of the busiest cruise stops in the Eastern Caribbean. Day visitors need no pre-arranged transport; tour operators meet every ship.
Private yachts: Rodney Bay Marina is the main arrival point for yachts — one of the finest marinas in the Caribbean with full customs clearance. Soufrière Bay is a popular anchorage for boats already in the islands.
🛂 Visa & Entry Requirements
Saint Lucia is visa-free for most nationalities. Citizens of the US, UK, EU countries, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand can enter without a visa for tourism. US and UK visitors receive up to 6 weeks; EU and most other nationalities receive up to 6 weeks as well.
You must show a return or onward ticket at immigration. A valid passport (minimum 6 months remaining), proof of accommodation, and proof of sufficient funds may be requested. Saint Lucia gained independence in 1979 — British Commonwealth ties remain, but it is an independent nation with its own entry rules.
Check visa requirements for Saint Lucia →🚗 Getting Around Saint Lucia
Taxis
The most convenient option and the standard for resort-to-attraction journeys. Rates are fixed per vehicle — always agree on the price before departing. Authorised taxis have blue number plates with a TX prefix. The St. Lucia Taxi Association can be contacted for bookings and current rates.
Minibuses
Minibuses identified by green M-prefix plates serve all main routes between towns. They run on demand rather than fixed schedules — flag them down along main roads and pay cash to the driver. Fares are very low. Routes connect Castries, Rodney Bay, Soufrière, Vieux Fort, and most towns in between. Crowded, no air conditioning, no printed timetables — but genuinely local and very cheap.
Car Rental
Gives the most flexibility for exploring remote beaches, the east coast rainforest, and the drive south to Soufrière. Drive on the left. A temporary Saint Lucian driving licence is required in addition to your home licence — obtainable at the airport, any police station, or through the rental company. SIXT and ACE Rent a Car operate from both airports.
🏗 Road Tip
The road south from Castries through the mountains to Soufrière is narrow, steep, and winding. Allow 90 minutes for this 47-kilometre journey. It passes through banana plantations, fishing villages, and dramatic coastal viewpoints. Do not underestimate the time it takes — or how beautiful it is.
🚌 Getting Around Castries
Central Castries is compact and walkable. The market, Derek Walcott Square, the cruise terminal at Pointe Seraphine, and most commercial streets are within 15 minutes on foot.
Minibus Terminal
- Minibuses depart from the terminal near the Castries Central Market on Jeremie Street
- Routes run north to Rodney Bay and south toward Soufrière and Vieux Fort
- No fixed departure times — vans fill before leaving
- Fares are low and paid in cash directly to the driver
For Rodney Bay, Reduit Beach, and the north: regular minibuses run throughout the day. For Soufrière and the south: minibuses exist but the journey is long — most visitors use a taxi or organised tour for southern day trips.
🚙 Renting a Car
A rental car opens up Saint Lucia considerably — particularly the rainforest interior, the east coast, and the drive between Castries and Soufrière at your own pace.
Things to Know
- Drive on the left side of the road
- A temporary Saint Lucian driving licence is required — available at the airport or police stations with your home licence
- Roads in the south are narrow and mountainous — allow extra time
- Petrol stations are mainly in Castries, Rodney Bay, and Vieux Fort — fill up before heading south
- Book in advance December–April — availability is limited in peak season
- The east coast road (the Atlantic side) is scenic but requires a capable vehicle and confident driving
⚠️ Mountain Road Advice
The road to Soufrière passes through several mountain passes. It is passable in a standard car but demands concentration. Avoid driving it at night for your first trip. Many visitors choose to do the Soufrière area as a day tour from Rodney Bay, leaving the driving to a guide.
🚗 Compare Rental Cars in Saint Lucia
💰 Money-Saving Tips
- Take the minibus from UVF to Vieux Fort then transfer: The cheapest route north, though time-consuming — practical only if you have no fixed schedule
- Share taxis: Rates are per vehicle — sharing with other travelers cuts the cost significantly on the long UVF–Castries run
- Fly shoulder season: May–June and October–November offer significantly cheaper flights from both the UK and North America
- Book via Miami or Barbados: Connecting through these hubs often opens up cheaper fares than direct Caribbean services
- Consider the Castries airport (SLU) for island-hopping: If arriving from Barbados or Martinique, SLU is 3km from Castries — much more convenient than UVF for northern-based stays