Getting Around St. Kitts and Nevis – SKN Transit Skip to content

Getting around St. Kitts and Nevis

Two islands, a short ferry apart, and every way of moving around them in one place. Ferries, rental cars, airport transfers, island tours, local buses and private charters: what each one costs, what it is best for, and how to book it.

Between the two islands

St. Kitts and Nevis are two miles apart across The Narrows, and you cross by boat. The scheduled passenger ferry links Basseterre and Charlestown in about 30 minutes, or a private water taxi takes you door to door on your own schedule. The full breakdown, with fares and how to choose, is in our guide to getting from St. Kitts to Nevis. Check the live ferry schedule for today’s sailings, or see every vessel on the crossing and its own timetable.

Renting a car

A rental car is the most flexible way to see either island, especially the coast and the interior. Driving is on the left, and visitors need a local temporary driving permit, usually arranged with the rental. Collection is available at the airport and in town on both islands. See car rentals for the details, with every fee shown up front and no payment to book.

Not sure a car is right for your trip? We have argued it both ways in do you need to rent a car in St. Kitts. If you do drive, you will need the visitor’s driving permit, which catches people out at the counter.

Taxis

Taxis wait at the airport, the ferry terminal and the main hotels, and any hotel or restaurant will call one for you. Fares are set by zone rather than metered, so confirm the price before you set off, and carry small EC dollar bills. Many drivers also run island tours by the hour or the day, with the stops and the price published in advance.

Local buses

The everyday public transport is the privately run minibus, cheap and frequent along the main roads by day. They do not follow a fixed timetable, they fill up before they leave, and they wind down in the evening, so they suit flexible daytime trips more than a tight schedule. The SKN Transit app tracks buses and ferries in real time so you can see what is moving.

Private charters and water taxis

For the crossing on your own time, for a group, or to reach a specific beach or resort, a private charter gives you the whole boat and your own departure time. It is the usual choice around a cruise call or when the scheduled ferry does not line up with your plans.

From the airport

Most visitors land at Robert L. Bradshaw International (SKB) in St. Kitts; Nevis has its own smaller airport, Vance W. Amory International (NEV). From SKB it is about 10 to 15 minutes to the Basseterre ferry terminal. Live arrivals and departures for both airports are on the flights page.

Getting out of SKB itself is a taxi, and the fares are fixed by destination rather than metered, so you can know the number before you fly. See airport transfer fares to every major resort.

Getting around SKN: questions people ask

What is the best way to get around St. Kitts and Nevis?
For crossing between the two islands, the passenger ferry or a private water taxi. On land, a rental car gives you the most freedom, while taxis and the local minibuses cover the rest. Most visitors mix a rental or taxis with the ferry.
Is there public transport in St. Kitts?
Yes. Privately run minibuses and vans are the local bus service, cheap and frequent along the main roads by day, though they do not keep a fixed timetable and thin out in the evening. The SKN Transit app tracks buses and ferries in real time.
Do I need a car in St. Kitts or Nevis?
Not necessarily. If you are staying near Basseterre, Frigate Bay or Charlestown, taxis, buses and the ferry cover a lot. A rental car pays off if you want to explore the coast and the interior on your own schedule.
How do I get between St. Kitts and Nevis?
By boat. The passenger ferry runs Basseterre to Charlestown in about 30 minutes, or take a private water taxi on your own time. Full detail is in the St. Kitts to Nevis guide.
Are taxis expensive in St. Kitts?
Taxis are widely available at the airport, the ferry terminal and the hotels. Fares are set by zone rather than metered, so agree the price before you set off. It is a good idea to carry small bills in EC dollars.