Rent a Car in Antigua

For most visitors, yes. With no reliable tourist bus network and fixed-rate taxis that add up fast, a hire car is the only practical way to reach scattered spots like Devil's Bridge, Half Moon Bay or Shirley Heights on your own schedule. Distances are short — St John's to English Harbour is about 25 minutes — so even a few days of rental opens up far more of the island than taxis would. You can compare Antigua car hire prices → to see how it stacks up against cab fares.

You'll need your full home driving licence, a passport, and a credit card for the deposit. Crucially, every visitor must also buy a temporary Antigua and Barbuda driving permit — usually about US$20 (around EC$50), valid for roughly three months. The rental desk issues this at pickup on top of your home licence, so it's a quick add-on rather than something to arrange in advance.

Antigua and Barbuda drives on the LEFT, British-style, and most cars are right-hand drive. Main routes like the Sir George Walter Highway are paved, but the lanes down to remote beaches are narrow, hilly and sometimes potholed — and don't be surprised by a goat in the road. Take it slowly for the first few miles if you're used to driving on the right.

Yes — V. C. Bird International (ANU), just north of St John's, is where the great majority of visitors collect. Rental desks and nearby lots run shuttles to and from the terminal, so it's the simplest place to start your trip. Booking the airport pickup in advance usually means a smoother arrival and a better choice of cars.

It varies by company and car class, but Caribbean rentals often carry a relatively high excess (the amount you're liable for if the car is damaged). Always read the excess and what's covered before you sign, and consider topping up the cover or adding standalone excess insurance for peace of mind on Antigua's rougher beach tracks.

Antigua's rental scene is a mix of international franchise desks and independent local agencies operating at or near V. C. Bird International (ANU). Rather than promise a fixed list of brands, we pull live availability so you see whoever actually has cars for your dates and pickup point. Local operators often know the island's rough beach roads well and can be competitively priced, so it pays to compare Antigua car hire prices → across the options before booking.