Information for your holiday to Antigua

Flight and transfers

• Virgin Atlantic fly direct from Gatwick on Friday and Saturday with a flight time of approximately 9 hours.
• Virgin Atlantic operate an indirect flight via Barbados on Wednesday with a flight time of approximately 11 hours.
• British Airways fly direct daily from Gatwick with a flight time of approximately 9 hours.
• Regional flights connecting with Virgin Atlantic flights from Gatwick are available with Flybe from Guernsey, Jersey, Belfast City Airport, Isle of Wight, Inverness, Aberdeen, Newcastle, Leeds Bradford and Newquay.
• Regional flights connecting with British Airways flights are available from Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Jersey, Manchester and Newcastle.
• Due to connections times it may be necessary to overnight at Gatwick when booking regional flights.

Antigua is not a large island and the distances are generally quite short. Transfers to a majority of the hotels should not take any longer than half an hour.

Visa requirements

• No visa is currently required for British or Irish passport holders.
• You should check visa requirements when you book in case of changes.
• Your passport must be valid for six months after departure from this country.
• All children and infants must have their own passports.
• All travellers should check full entry requirements prior to travel by visiting the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) website or by contacting the relevant embassy.
• There is a departure tax payable by tourists when leaving Antigua, costing US$28 or ECS$70.

Language
English is the official language and is spoken by everyone on the island. Local dialects can also be heard in the town centres.

Car hire

• Driving in Antigua is relatively simple, as they drive on the left and the roads are in pretty good condition. There are so many beaches to explore in Antigua, renting a car is highly recommended.
• Our car hire starts at £250 per week for a medium size air-conditioned car, delivered to your hotel or villa.
• You will need your UK drivers licence and a credit card.
• Drivers must be 25 years or older.
• You will need to pay for collision damage waiver (CDW) which is $15 to $25 a day and a local driver’s permit which is $25 per driver.
• Baby and child seats will need to be prebooked and cost $10 per day.

Taxis and buses

• Taxis are plentiful and fairly efficient in Antigua; they are a convenient way of exploring the island. Taxi drivers often act as local guides.
• Buses are a slightly cheaper way to get around with two bus terminals in the capital, St. John’s. There are a variety of routes around the island, however if there are a group of you it may be cheaper to hire a car or hop in a taxi.

Currency
The Eastern Caribbean dollar (EC$) is the official local currency although US Dollars and credit cards are widely accepted.

Electricity
110V-220V two and three pin plugs are standard.

Vaccination and health

• As health requirements change please consult with your GP or specialist travel clinic in advance of your holiday for specific information related to your travel and medical history.
• Additional information can be found by visiting MASTA Travel health.
• Antigua gets very hot so drink plenty of water and wear a high factor sun cream.

Time difference
GMT -4 hours, British Summer Time -5 hours.