Speedy and inexpensive buses and minibuses run to certain parts of the island, particularly between St John's and English Harbour on the south coast and along the west coast between St John's and Old Road, although none goes to the big tourist area of Dickenson Bay and Runaway Bay.

By car
If you want to tour around, you're invariably better off renting a car for a couple of days, though rental prices are fairly high, starting at around US$40 per day, US$250 per week. You'll have to buy a local driving licence for US$20 (valid for three months and sold by all of the car hire firms). Reliable firms include: Avis Phone 268/462-2840), Budget

By taxi
If you just want to make the odd excursion or short trip, it can be cheaper to hire taxis , identifiable by the H on their number plates and easy to find in St John's, Nelson's Dockyard or at the airport. Elsewhere you'll often need to call or ask your hotel to arrange for one. Try West Bus Station Taxis (tel 268/462-5190) or Antigua Reliable (tel 268/460-5353). Fares are regulated but there are no meters, so be sure to agree on a price before you get into the car.

By bike and motorcycle
Since Antigua is so small, and there are few steep inclines, it is ideal cycling territory, and bikes can be rented for around US$15 per day, US$70 a week. Hiring a scooter or motorcycle is just as much fun - prices normally start at around US$30 per day, US$150 a week (plus US$20 for the local driving permit) - and can be a fantastic way of touring around, though you'll need to watch out for madcap drivers on the main roads. Rental agents for both bikes and motorcycles include Cycle Krazy, St Mary's Street in St John's (tel 268/462-9253), Paradise Boat Sales at Jolly Harbour (tel 268/460-7125) and Shipwreck in Parham (tel 268/464-7771; they deliver to your hotel, so cost a little more).

Antiqua travel guide

Antigua
Where to go
When to go
Getting there
Money and costs
Getting around
Food and drink
Phones and post
Best of Antigua
Holidays and festivals
Tours
Diving & snorkeling
Dive operators
Boats &
     catamarans
Boat operators
Economy, natural hazards

Exploring Antigua
- Barbuda:
  Getting there
  Beyond Cordrington
  Great Fort George
  Falmouth Harbour
  River Fort
  Cordrington

- Falmouth and
  English Harbour
  Eating, drinking,   
  nightlife
  Falmouth
  Heights, Pigeon
       Beach