Grantley Adams International Airport is Barbados' only airport and one of the Eastern Caribbean's primary air hubs, located approximately 18 km southeast of Bridgetown, the capital, on the island's south coast.
Named after Barbados' first premier, it is the gateway to exploring both the protected west coast beaches and the south coast's more dramatic surf-popular beaches.
How to get to Sir Grantley Adams International Airport
By Car
By Train
By Bus
Average travel time to BGI
Parking near Sir Grantley Adams International Airport
The official parking lot is accessible within a few minutes walk from the terminal.
It is not supervised by dedicated staff; rates are generally modest by Caribbean standards, on the order of a few US dollars per hour.
How to get to Bridgetown from BGI
By Train
By Bus
By Taxi
Airport transfers you can book in advance
Shuttles and private transfers you can book online, picked from the best rated by travelers.
Car rental at Sir Grantley Adams International Airport
Well-known car rental brands have a desk in the arrivals area.
Bring your driver's license, passport, and credit card in the driver's name for the security deposit; a local temporary license is required, obtainable on-site from the rental agency with presentation of your original license and a small payment. You drive on the left, as in the United Kingdom.
Hotels near Sir Grantley Adams International Airport
Christ Church and the south coast (Rockley, St. Lawrence Gap)
About 15-20 minutes by car from the terminal, 10-14 km, with an airport shuttle available.
Best for: Travellers who want the strip of beaches, restaurants and evening venues closest to the terminal.
- The tourist area closest to the airport, with the nightlife of St. Lawrence Gap just minutes away
- Rockley Beach can be reached on foot from several hotels in the area
- A coastal road that gets busy at rush hour between the airport and the area
- A few historic hotels in the area could do with more recent renovations
Garrison and Hastings
About 15-20 minutes by car from the terminal, 14-15 km, in the historic Garrison area just south of Bridgetown.
Best for: Travellers who want to stay closer to Bridgetown without giving up the beach, amid colonial history and Carlisle Bay.
- A few steps from Carlisle Bay and the George Washington House
- Closer to the centre of Bridgetown than the touristy south coast
- Some properties in the area have received mixed reviews on maintenance and cleanliness
- Less nightlife than St. Lawrence Gap
Recommended hotels
- Courtyard by Marriott Bridgetown, Barbados In the Garrison Historic Area of Hastings, within walking distance of the area's white-sand beaches; Centro restaurant, round-the-clock gym and free parking. View availability
- Radisson Aquatica Resort Barbados On the beach at Carlisle Bay, in a protected marine area with wrecks reachable by diving; reviews do note, however, that some areas of the property need renovation. View availability
St. Philip and the south-east coast
About 15 minutes by car from the terminal, 11 km, while still staying off the main tourist circuits.
Best for: Travellers seeking a secluded, quiet holiday, far from city life but not from the terminal.
- Despite the sense of isolation, the transfer from the airport is among the shortest on the island
- A less developed south-east coast, with cliffs and wilder beaches
- Far from Bridgetown and the south coast's nightlife: a car is needed to get around
- Very few dining alternatives outside the resort itself
Airport services
Shopping & Duty Free
Lounges & relaxation
Connectivity & Wi-Fi
Families & Children
Terminal guide
The single terminal is compact and easily walkable. From check-in to gate is generally a 10–15 minute walk.
Customs and security screening can take longer than expected during peak intercontinental flight hours: for international flights, arriving 3 hours in advance is recommended.
Map of Sir Grantley Adams International Airport
Frequently asked questions
Q. Do you need a visa for Barbados?
No, for most Western nationalities: a free tourist entry permit is granted on arrival, generally valid up to 28 days.
Q. Better to stay near the airport or on the coast?
Near the airport only for a flight with an extreme departure time: the west coast (Holetown, Speightstown) has calmer seas, while the south coast (St. Lawrence Gap) is cheaper and livelier at night, both 25-60 minutes away by taxi.
Q. Can you drive in Barbados with your own license?
Not directly: a temporary local license is required, issued on the spot by the rental agency upon presentation of your original license (of any nationality) and a small fee; driving is on the left, as in the UK.
Q. Is it better to exchange euros for Barbadian dollars or use US dollars?
The US dollar is accepted almost everywhere at a fixed exchange rate of 2 to 1 with the Barbadian dollar: many travelers skip currency exchange and pay directly in USD, especially in tourist areas.
Flight board
Real-time status of arriving and departing flights
