Driving is on the left on narrow but fairly good roads with the odd pothole. These are nothing to the bus drivers who career around at alarming speeds. If you don't have your own wheels, and aren't up for a bus ride, you can get around by taxi . Island-hopping is most convenient by ferry , or you can take a ten-minute flight .
By bus
Public buses traverse northern St Kitts and all of Nevis from 6am until around 7pm on weekdays and Saturdays. Emblazoned with names like "Reggae Master" and blaring music from open windows, these minivans are easy to spot; you can catch them in the capitals or flag them down on the main roads outside of town; keep in mind that they don't follow any particular schedule. Fares are based on distance, with the most expensive trip, on both islands, being EC$3.50.
Note that in St Kitts, buses service the Circle Island Road, but not the resort areas south of Basseterre
By taxi
Taxis congregate at both island airports and by the piers downtown in their respective capitals. By day, the most expensive trip will cost close to US$20; double that for complete island tours, night trips (Mon-Fri 10pm-6am), all day Sunday and holidays. To call for a taxi in St Kitts, dial 869/465-8487 or 4253; in Nevis, call 869/469-9790 (airport taxi stand) or 869/469-1483 or 5631 (Charlestown). You can also arrange for one at your hotel.
By car
There are no car rental offices at either of the islands' airports, but most agencies in Basseterre and Charlestown provide airport, ferry and hotel pick-up if you reserve in advance; they'll also arrange your mandatory visitor's driver's licence (EC$50). Rental companies include Avis (tel 869/465-6507), TDC (tel 869/465-2991; ) and Delisle Walwyn (tel 869/465-8449). Rates start at around US$30/day. As a general rule, to rent a car you must be 25, have had your licence for at least two years, and possess a major credit card that can be swiped for a US$500 deposit.
Note that if you intend to split your time between Nevis and St Kitts, some agencies, including the above, arrange dual-island rental packages, which is useful since only one island ferry allows you to take a car
By boat
Two to three ferry crossings a day embark from Basseterre and Charlestown. Caribe Queen (tel 869/466-6119) and Sea Hustler (tel 869/469-0403) both charge EC$20 round-trip for passengers only. If you want to take a car across, go with Carib Breeze (tel 869/466-6734; EC$30-$40 round-trip). Tickets, sold on the day of travel only, usually go on sale about an hour before the scheduled departure time; it's best to arrive early. Crossings are about an hour, depending on conditions.
Leeward Island Charters (tel 869/465-7474) offers daylong sails between Nevis and St Kitts; Sea Nevis Charter Boat (tel 869/469-9239) has half-day, full-day and sunset sails.
By plane
There are several flights a day between St Kitts and Nevis with Nevis Express. The nine-seater two-prop planes fly for US$50 round-trip.
