Douglas-Charles Airport (formerly Melville Hall) is Dominica's main airport, on the northeast coast of the island, approximately 3 km from Marigot and about 55 km from the capital Roseau, on the opposite side.
A second smaller airport, Canefield, near Roseau, handles only small aircraft on a short runway.
How to get to Melville Hall Airport
By Car
By Train
By Bus
Average travel time to DOM
Parking near Melville Hall Airport
The parking lot, compact, is a short distance from the terminal.
It is unattended; rates are generally modest and in line with standards at other similar-sized Caribbean airports.
How to get to Marigot from DOM
By Train
By Bus
By Taxi
Need an airport transfer?
Compare taxis and shuttles on Booking.com
Car rental at Melville Hall Airport
Some local car rental companies have desks in the arrivals area, very useful given the distance between the airport and the island's main tourist areas.
Bring your driver's license, passport, and credit card in the driver's name for the security deposit; a temporary local driver's license is required, obtainable on site. Driving is on the left; mountain roads require caution.
Hotels near Melville Hall Airport
Marigot and the coast
Marigot is about 5 minutes by car or taxi from Douglas-Charles airport; the Golden Inn is about 2 km from the terminals, My Circle about 1 km.
Best for: Travellers arriving or leaving on an inconvenient flight who want to stay a few minutes from the airport, with Sand Bay beach within reach.
- A transfer of just a few minutes from the airport, useful for early-morning flights or short stopovers
- Sand Bay beach can be reached on foot from several properties
- Marigot remains a small town: few restaurants besides those of the properties themselves
- Reaching Roseau takes nearly 29 km and about an hour and a half on a mountain road
Recommended hotels
- Happy Nest Dominica Apartment with garden, terrace and sea view in Marigot; guests mention a very attentive host, available even to drive guests to local restaurants. View availability
- My circle Holiday home with sea and mountain views about 1 km (14 minutes on foot) from the airport, on a quiet road; full kitchen and free private parking. View availability
- The Golden Inn Apartments with sea views less than 1 km from Sand Bay beach and about 2 km from the airport; full kitchen, washing machine and free private parking. View availability
Concord and the Pagua river valley
Between 9 and 20 minutes by car from Douglas-Charles airport depending on the property: Hibiscus Valley Inn and Serenity Lodges are about 7.5 km (4.7 miles) away and offer a round-the-clock shuttle, River Splash is the furthest inland, about 20 minutes by car into the Concord valley.
Best for: Travellers who want to sleep between rainforest and river, just a few minutes further from the airport, with shuttles included at the more organised properties.
- The Pagua river, natural pools and the Northern Forest Reserve within a short walk
- A much quieter, greener area than the coast, with airport shuttles organised by the properties
- No restaurants or shops nearby: you eat on site or drive somewhere else
- Narrow mountain roads, best driven slowly, especially at night or in the rain
Recommended hotels
- Hibiscus Valley Inn Guesthouse on the Pagua river between the villages of Marigot and Concord, about 7.5 km and 9 minutes from the airport; 11 rooms and bungalows in the forest, with a round-the-clock airport shuttle. View availability
- Serenity Lodges Dominica Secluded lodge on the hills of Concord, along the river route, 4.7 miles from the airport with a round-the-clock shuttle; breakfast catered even for special dietary needs. View availability
- River Splash Apartment at Concord Dominica Apartment on the banks of the Pagua river with its own natural pools, in the Concord valley about 20 minutes by car from the airport and 5 minutes from the Kalinago Territory; hosted by the same family for over 12 years. View availability
Airport services
Shopping & Duty Free
Lounges & relaxation
Connectivity & Wi-Fi
Families & Children
Terminal guide
The terminal, not large, takes about 5-10 minutes to walk from check-in to gate.
Security checks typically flow smoothly, but a 2-hour advance arrival remains the safest choice.
Map of Melville Hall Airport
Frequently asked questions
Q. Is Dominica the same as the Dominican Republic?
No, they are two different countries: Dominica is a small independent volcanic island in the eastern Caribbean, known for its unspoiled nature; the Dominican Republic is a much larger country that shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti.
Q. Do you need a visa for Dominica?
No, for most Western nationalities: a free tourist entry permit is granted on arrival, for up to 90 days.
Q. Are credit cards accepted at Dominica's resorts?
Yes, widely at tourist facilities, often with a small extra fee for electronic payment; cash in Eastern Caribbean dollars remains useful for small purchases outside hotels, though.
Q. Why is Dominica called the nature island of the Caribbean?
Because of its unspoiled rainforests, hot springs and national parks covering much of the territory, still little touched by mass tourism.
Flight board
Real-time status of arriving and departing flights
