Lettsome International Airport between Tortola and Beef Island
Tortola Transportation
All flights to Tortola must connect through Puerto Rico, St. Thomas, Antigua or St. Maarten. Lettsome International Airport (EIS) is located on Beef Island, just east of Tortola and connected by small bridge. LIAT provides air service from St. Kitts, Antigua and Barbados. Seaborne Airlines, Cape Air and Air Sunshine provide service from Puerto Rico. Island Birds Air Charter connects to Puerto Rico, St. Thomas, Antigua and St. Marten. There is a small Departure tax. The runway extension from 4,645 feet to 7,100 feet was proposed in early 2017 to allow large Boeing and Airbus jets to fly directly to the island. Unfortunately, damage from 2017 Hurricane Irma has delayed those plans. That said, the Main Terminal is modernized with amenities typical of a small Caribbean airport, including:
– Bookstores & gift shops
– Restaurant
– Immigration
– Port Office
– ATM
– Currency Exchange
– National, Avis and Hertz Car Rentals
– VIP lounge
– Taxi Depot
Most American visitors fly to St. Thomas, then inter-island ferry to Tortola. If that is your plan, take a taxi from St. Thomas International Airport, then let the taxi driver know you want the ferry to Tortola (or Virgin Gorda, if that is your destination). Ferry companies leave from the main cruise port in Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas or Red Hook cruise port in the East End of St. Thomas, stop in St. John, then arrive at the main cruise port in Road Town, Tortola or the smaller cruise port in West End, Tortola. Or you can choose the Road Town FastFerry that goes directly from Charlotte Amalie to Road Town in 50 minutes. The taxi drivers will know of any schedule changes and make sure you reach the proper cruise port. The last ferry leaves St. Thomas or Tortola between 4:30pm-5pm.
Customs and Immigration offices are located in Road Town and West End cruise ports in Tortola.
Ground Transport
Taxis at the airport offer properly maintained and insured vehicles. To prevent issues on the local buses, convert from U.S. dollars to local monies (EC) otherwise. Also, double check the route with each driver before boarding. There are open-air safari buses, to enclosed air-conditioned buses and smaller passenger vehicles. If you find a taxi driver you like, rent one for a day to tour this tropical paradise. Her is a sampling of taxi and shuttle services:
AC’s Taxi Service
Road Town, Tortola
Tel: (284) 340-0550
acsat@hotmail.com
http://www.info-res.com/actaxibvi/
BVI Taxi Association
Road Town, Tortola
Tel: (284) 494-2322 / 3942
bvitaxiassoc@yahoo.com
Karl Scatliffe
Tortola
Tel: (284) 541-7541 or 342-7541
http://www.scatosbusntaxi.com
A1 Shuttles
Road Town, Tortola
Tel: (284) 545-0249
http://www.a1shuttles.com
Car Rentals: Persons staying under 30 days are not required to purchase a temporary driver’s license, provided a valid driver’s license is produced from another country. You can usually get your driving permit at the car rental office. Along with major car rental brands, consider smaller car rentals like http://www.bigsexyrentals.com to discover Natures Little Secrets. A jeep is always preferred on less paved roads.
