St. Kitts

1. The port

2. zu On foot;

3. Shuttle buses

4. Public transport

5. Taxis

6. Car rental

7. Book shore excursions

    7.1 Meine Landausflüge

    7.2 GetYourGuide

    7.3 Viator

St. Kitts, the larger of the two islands making up the nation of St. Kitts and Nevis, is a jewel of the Lesser Antilles. Framed by the majestic backdrop of the dormant volcano Mount Liamuiga, the island offers a fascinating blend of pristine nature and rich history. Lush rainforests stretch across the mountain range, while the coastlines impress with a unique mix of dark volcanic and light sandy beaches.

An absolute highlight is the Brimstone Hill Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the "Gibraltar of the West Indies." Whether taking a ride on the historic Scenic Railway or relaxing in the lively beach bars of Frigate Bay – St. Kitts captivates with its authentic Caribbean charm and warm hospitality.

Cruise ships dock at the modern "Port Zante" cruise terminal in the capital, Basseterre. The terminal is located right next to the city center on a man-made peninsula and can accommodate even the largest cruise ships. Local tour operators welcome passengers arriving for shore excursions at the large gateway with its three arches. Excursion buses and taxis wait to the right of the gateway, while other local operators on the opposite side try to win over customers. If you don't have any plans for St. Kitts yet, you will definitely find something here.

St. Kitts features a large open-air terminal where cruise passengers can find an extensive duty-free area, as well as many restaurants, bars, and souvenir shops.

 Card from the port of St. Kitts- ©mapz.com- Map Data: Open Street Map OdbL

As soon as you leave the port, you are right in the city. Basseterre is very compact and easy to navigate; depending on your pace, you can explore all the sights in about an hour.

Since the cruise terminal is located right next to the city, no shuttle buses are provided.

The public bus system on St. Kitts differs greatly from European standards. Privately operated minivans are used, which you can recognize by their green license plates starting with the letter H or HA.

West Coast Routes

• Departure: Starts near the ferry terminal.

• Route: Travels up the west coast, passing sights such as the Brimstone Hill Fortress, and continues to Sandy Point and Capesterre.

East Coast Routes (Baker’s Corner)

• Departure: Starts at "Baker’s Corner" in the eastern part of Basseterre.

• Route: Travels north along the east coast through Molyneux to Saddlers.

Northern Inland Routes (College Street Ghaut)

• Buses to St. Peter’s depart from College Street Ghaut.

Fares and Payment

Fares are government-regulated and very affordable. They are based on distance:

• Distances up to 5 miles (approx. 8 km): 2.50 EC$ (Eastern Caribbean Dollars)

• Distances from 5 to 10 miles: 3.00 EC$

• Distances over 10 miles: 3.50 EC$

You pay the driver directly in cash when getting off. It is highly recommended to have the exact change or small bills in EC Dollars ready. US Dollars are generally accepted as well (usually at a fixed exchange rate of 1 USD = 2.70 EC$), but you will almost always receive your change in EC Dollars.

Operating Hours & Schedule

There are no fixed timetables in the traditional sense. Buses leave when they are full. During the week and during the day (coinciding with local peak commuting hours), they run very regularly and frequently. In the evenings and on Sundays, service drops significantly, so you should not rely on them entirely at those times.

Getting On and Off

Fixed bus terminals only exist in Basseterre itself. On the rest of the island, you simply stand by the side of the road and give an approaching bus a clear hand signal. If there is still room in the van, the driver will pull over.

When you want to get off, simply call out a brief "Bus stop, please" or "Next corner, please" to the driver in plenty of time.

For a small surcharge on the regular fare, some drivers are willing to drop you off a short distance off the main road right at your destination—provided that space and the route allow for it.

Plenty of taxis are available right at the port exit. To the right of the exit, staff members (dispatchers) organize passengers into individual vehicles based on their desired destination. Island tours are also offered here. For simple beach transfers, the dispatchers fill up the vehicles so that the fare becomes significantly cheaper for each passenger.

Fares are fixed and regulated by the government. Island tours cost between 80 and 160 USD, depending on the duration. Beach transfers range between 12 and 30 USD.

There are several providers that specialize in cruise guests and offer port pickup. In addition to your international driving permit, you will need a local driver's license. The rental car companies issue this temporary license when handing over the vehicle. The local license costs approximately 24 USD. Please note that driving is on the left side of the road in St. Kitts.

• Hertz: The office is located on Bay Road, close to the port.

Meine Landausflüge offer you fantastic cruise trips at the most popular ports worldwide. Typically, they are available in much smaller groups and at more affordable prices than the cruise line’s own excursions. All our options are carefully selected to guarantee you an unforgettable outing experience.

• Small group sizes  
• Punctual return guarantee  
• Convenient pick-up and drop-off service from/to the port  
• Money-back guarantee for itinerary changes and port cancellations  
• Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the tour (Flex option up to 60 minutes before the tour start)

With GetYourGuide, you can book land excursions in small groups, often at better prices than those offered by cruise lines. All experiences are carefully selected and reviewed by experts. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start of the excursion.

Viator, a Tripadvisor company, is one of the world's leading online marketplaces for travel experiences. The platform provides travelers with access to more than 300,000 activities, including guided tours, day trips, attraction tickets, and exclusive experiences in thousands of destinations worldwide. A key advantage for users is the millions of authentic traveler reviews that help in making informed choices. 

Viator is known for its high flexibility:

• offering free cancellation on many bookings up to 24 hours in advance.
• Additionally, the "reserve now, pay later" option provides financial freedom during trip planning. 

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