A Quick Flight: Antigua To Barbuda

Antigua and Barbuda are two islands in the Caribbean, about 1,000 miles from Jamaica and 500 miles from Trinidad and Tobago. The national airport of Antigua and Barbuda, V.C. Bird International Airport, is very well connected. There are direct flights to Antigua from the UK, Europe, and the USA. From London, a flight to Antigua takes about 9 hours. From New York, it takes about 4 hours and 20 minutes. The most popular way to get to Barbuda from Antigua is by a high-speed ferry, which takes about 90 minutes.

Flight duration

The duration of a flight from Antigua to Barbuda depends on the mode of transport and the place of departure.

By Plane

The national airport of Antigua and Barbuda, V.C. Bird International Airport, is well-connected to various parts of the world. While there are direct flights to Antigua from cities like London, Miami, New York, and Atlanta, there are also connecting flights from other cities.

• A direct flight from London, UK, to Antigua takes around 9 hours.
• A direct flight from New York, USA, to Antigua takes around 4 hours and 17 minutes to 4 hours and 20 minutes.
• A direct flight from Miami, USA, to Antigua takes around 3 hours and 19 minutes.
• A direct flight from Charlotte, North Carolina, USA, to Antigua takes around 4 hours and 8 minutes.
• A direct flight from Atlanta, Georgia, USA, to Antigua takes around 4 hours.

There are also inter-connecting flights to Antigua from islands like St. Kitts, St. Maarten, Dominica, and Guadeloupe.

By Ferry

The most popular way to get to Barbuda from Antigua is by high-speed ferry, which takes about 90 minutes on a pleasant day. The Barbuda Express and The Island Escape are two ferry services that run between the two islands.

Airlines and airports

The national airport of Antigua and Barbuda is the V.C. Bird International Airport. Although the country does not have its own national airline, several airlines operate direct flights to and from Antigua. These include British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, American Airlines, Delta, and United.

If you're flying from the UK, a direct flight from London to Antigua with Virgin Atlantic or British Airways will take around 9 hours. From the USA, a direct flight from New York to Antigua with Delta, American Airlines, or JetBlue will take around 4 hours.

Other airlines that fly to Antigua and Barbuda include:

• Iberia Airlines
• LIAT
• Caribbean Airlines
• United Airlines
• U.S. Airways
• Air Canada
• West Jet
• Condor Airlines
• Lufthansa
• Alaskan Airlines
• FlyMontserrat
• SVG Air

The Barbuda Codrington Airport is the main airport serving the island of Barbuda.

Connecting flights

There are several options for connecting flights to Antigua and Barbuda. The national airport, V.C. Bird International Airport, is well-connected, with direct flights from the US, Canada, Europe, and the Caribbean.

From the US

American Airlines offers direct flights from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Miami International Airport (MIA) to Antigua. United Airlines flies direct from Newark (EWR) to Antigua on Saturdays and Sundays. Delta Airlines offers direct flights from Atlanta (ATL) and JFK to Antigua on Saturdays. JetBlue provides direct flights from JFK to Antigua on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays. US Airways flies direct to Antigua every Saturday through Charlotte, North Carolina (CLT).

From Canada

Air Canada offers nonstop flights from Toronto (YYZ) to Antigua on Saturdays and Sundays. West Jet also flies to Antigua from Toronto during the winter months on Wednesdays and Sundays.

From Europe

Condor Airlines flies directly to Antigua from Manchester, Vienna, and major airports in Germany during the winter. They also partner with other carriers like Lufthansa and Alaskan Airlines to offer direct flights.

From the Caribbean

LIAT offers inter-connecting flights to Antigua from St. Kitts, St. Maarten, Dominica, and Guadeloupe. Caribbean Airlines provides flights to Antigua from Trinidad and Tobago or Barbados.

Ferry services

The most popular ferry service between Antigua and Barbuda is the Barbuda Express, which has been in operation since 2004. The company offers a 90-minute journey between the islands on an innovative wave-piercing catamaran, which provides maximum passenger comfort at high speed. The ferry runs 6 days a week and departs from the ferry dock in St. John's Harbour, located at the bottom of High Street in St. John's city.

One-way adult tickets start at US$55.00, and the ferry runs daily except Sunday at 6:00 a.m., with an additional ferry on Thursdays at 9:30 a.m. The journey can be a bit strenuous due to changing weather patterns, which can result in rough seas and cause motion sickness.

The Barbuda Express also offers day tours, which include a visit to the Frigate Bird Sanctuary, the Pink Sands Beach Island, and a lobster lunch. The tour includes transportation to various sites around Barbuda, including caves used by the Arawak Indians and the ruins of the Codrington family home.

Other ferry services between the islands include the Antigua Barbuda ferry service, which also uses a wave-piercing catamaran for a comfortable journey. The trip usually takes about 90 minutes and can be boarded at the ferry dock in St. John's Harbour.

For those travelling by private yacht, there are several ports of entry to Antigua, including St. John's Harbour, English Harbour, St. James Club, and Crabbs Marina. It is recommended to clear customs in one of the official Antigua main ports before proceeding to Barbuda.

English Harbour, located on the south end of Antigua, boasts a natural harbour and is home to Nelson's Dockyard. Jolly Harbour, on the west coast, offers a fully serviced dockyard with 24-hour security, deputy-free fuel, and a customs and immigration office. St. John's, the capital, usually accommodates commercial ships but sometimes allows berthing for yachts as well.

Visa requirements

For US Citizens

US citizens travelling to Antigua and Barbuda are required to have a US passport that is valid for 180 days following their departure date. A visa is not required if the traveller has an onward or return ticket, confirmation of accommodation, and can produce evidence of their ability to maintain themselves financially while in the country. However, a passport card is not accepted as a valid form of identification.

For Other Nationals

Citizens of the following countries can obtain a visa on arrival if they are passport holders with six months' validity, have a re-entry permit if required by their country of origin, are of assured financial standing, and can produce a return ticket:

• United States
• Canada
• United Kingdom
• Schengen countries

Nationals of other countries may be eligible for an e-Visa, which can be applied for online.

For LGBTI+ Travellers

It is important to note that same-sex sexual activity between adult men is illegal in Antigua and Barbuda, and spousal rights are not extended to LGBTI+ individuals married outside of the country.

Frequently asked questions