Getting Around Grenada
Transportation Strategy
Urban Areas: Use reliable minibuses for St. George's and Grand Anse. Rural: Rent a car for exploring the interior and northern parishes. Islands: Ferries to Carriacou. For convenience, book airport transfers from Maurice Bishop Airport to your destination.
Bus Travel
National Minibus Network
Reliable and affordable minibus system connecting St. George's to all parishes with frequent services.
Cost: St. George's to Grand Anse $2-5 XCD, journeys under 30 minutes between main routes.
Tickets: Pay cash to driver upon boarding, no advance purchase needed.
Peak Times: Avoid 7-9 AM and 4-6 PM for less crowding and faster rides.
Multi-Ride Options
Informal passes or frequent rider deals via apps, but most pay per trip; budget $20-30 XCD for a full day of travel.
Best For: Multiple stops in one day, savings for beach hopping or market visits.
Where to Buy: Board at main terminals like Market Square in St. George's, cash only.
Inter-Island Ferries
Odalys and other ferries connect Grenada to Carriacou and Petite Martinique daily.
Booking: Reserve in advance online or at the terminal for $40-60 XCD round-trip.
Main Ports: Carenage or Lagoon in St. George's, with schedules varying by season.
Car Rental & Driving
Renting a Car
Essential for exploring rural parishes and beaches. Compare rental prices from $50-80 USD/day at Maurice Bishop Airport and St. George's.
Requirements: Valid license (international recommended), credit card, minimum age 25.
Insurance: Comprehensive coverage advised, includes collision damage waiver for island roads.
Driving Rules
Drive on the left, speed limits: 50 km/h urban, 80 km/h rural, no major highways.
Tolls: None on Grenada, but watch for narrow, winding roads in the interior.
Priority: Yield to oncoming traffic on hills, roundabouts common in towns.
Parking: Free in most areas, paid lots $2-5 USD/day near tourist spots.
Fuel & Navigation
Fuel stations available at $4.50-5.50 USD/gallon for petrol, $4-5 for diesel.
Apps: Use Google Maps or Waze for navigation, download offline maps for rural areas.
Traffic: Light overall, but congestion in St. George's during market days.
Urban Transport
Taxis & Shared Rides
Fixed-rate taxis everywhere, single ride $10-20 XCD, day tours $200-300 XCD for groups.
Validation: Agree fare before boarding, no meters; airport taxis regulated.
Apps: Limited Uber, but local apps like Grenada Taxi for bookings and tracking.
Bike & Scooter Rentals
Bike rentals in Grand Anse and St. George's, $10-20 USD/day with helmets provided.
Routes: Coastal paths ideal, but hilly terrain limits to flatter southern areas.
Tours: Guided e-bike tours for spice plantations and beaches, eco-friendly option.
Buses & Water Taxis
Grenada Public Transport operates minibuses, plus water taxis for lagoon and bay hops.
Tickets: $2-5 XCD per ride, cash to driver or small boats $10-15 USD short trips.
Coastal Services: Water taxis connect Grand Anse to nearby coves, $20 USD round-trip.Accommodation Options
Accommodation Tips
- Location: Stay near beaches in Grand Anse for easy access, central St. George's for sightseeing.
- Booking Timing: Book 2-3 months ahead for dry season (Dec-Apr) and major events like SpiceMas Carnival.
- Cancellation: Choose flexible rates when possible, especially for hurricane season travel plans.
- Amenities: Check for WiFi, AC inclusion, and proximity to minibuses before booking.
- Reviews: Read recent reviews (last 6 months) for accurate current conditions and service quality.
Communication & Connectivity
Mobile Coverage & eSIM
Strong 4G coverage in populated areas, 3G in rural spots; 5G emerging in St. George's.
eSIM Options: Get instant data with Airalo or Yesim from $5 for 1GB, no physical SIM needed.
Activation: Install before departure, activate upon arrival, works immediately.
Local SIM Cards
Digicel and Flow offer prepaid SIMs from $10-20 XCD with island-wide coverage.
Where to Buy: Airports, supermarkets, or provider stores with passport required.
Data Plans: 5GB for $20 XCD, 10GB for $40 XCD, unlimited for $60 XCD/month typically.
WiFi & Internet
Free WiFi widely available in hotels, resorts, cafes, and public spots like Esplanade.
Public Hotspots: Main bus terminals and tourist areas have free public WiFi.
Speed: Generally decent (10-50 Mbps) in urban areas, reliable for video calls.
Practical Travel Information
- Time Zone: Atlantic Standard Time (AST), UTC-4, no daylight saving observed.
- Airport Transfers: Maurice Bishop Airport 8km from St. George's, taxi to Grand Anse $20-30 USD (15 min), or book private transfer for $25-40 USD.
- Luggage Storage: Available at airport ($5-10 USD/day) and hotels in major areas.
- Accessibility: Minibuses and taxis mostly accessible, beaches and sites vary with hilly terrain.
- Pet Travel: Pets allowed on ferries (small free, large $10 XCD), check accommodation policies before booking.
- Bike Transport: Bikes can be carried on buses for $2 XCD, rentals include transport options.
Flight Booking Strategy
Getting to Grenada
Maurice Bishop International Airport (GND) is the main international hub. Compare flight prices on Aviasales, Trip.com, or Expedia for the best deals from major cities worldwide.
Main Airports
Maurice Bishop International (GND): Primary international gateway, 8km from St. George's with taxi connections.
Lauriston Airport (CRU): Small airstrip on Carriacou for regional flights, ferry alternative from main island.
Union Island (UNI): Nearby for Grenadines access, limited flights but convenient for southern routes.
Booking Tips
Book 2-3 months in advance for dry season travel (Dec-Apr) to save 30-50% on average fares.
Flexible Dates: Flying mid-week (Tuesday-Thursday) typically cheaper than weekends.
Alternative Routes: Consider flying into Barbados or Trinidad and taking regional flight or ferry to Grenada for potential savings.
Budget Airlines
LIAT, Caribbean Airlines, and JetBlue serve GND with regional connections.
Important: Factor in baggage fees and transport to resorts when comparing total costs.
Check-in: Online check-in mandatory 24 hours before, airport fees higher.
Transportation Comparison
Money Matters on the Road
- ATMs: Widely available, typical withdrawal fee $2-5 XCD, use bank ATMs to avoid tourist area markups.
- Credit Cards: Visa and Mastercard accepted at resorts and shops, American Express less common in rural spots.
- Contactless Payment: Tap-to-pay growing, Apple Pay and Google Pay accepted in most hotels.
- Cash: Essential for buses, markets, and small vendors, keep $50-100 XCD in small denominations.
- Tipping: 10-15% customary in restaurants, $1-2 XCD for taxis if not included.
- Currency Exchange: Use Wise for best rates, avoid airport exchange bureaus with poor rates.