Transportation in Dominica
A small price to pay for trying out a tourist destination that is relatively untouched is the non-availability of any direct flights from US or Europe. But there are many entry points in the neighbouring islands from where you can get connections to Dominica or consider coming by sea.
Get here and get around. You sure won't regret your decision to come to Dominica!
This Dominica Transportation Guide lists all transportation options, both for getting to and from the island, also for getting around. To get more general transportation information about the Caribbean, check out our Caribbean Transportation Guide. Meanwhile, more specific Dominica information can be found on our Dominica City Guide and Dominica Tours pages.
Dominica - Getting There and Away
Air
If you plan to come by air from mainland US or Europe, you cannot fly direct to Dominica. You can come by any flight which drops you at one of these neighbouring places:
- St. Marten
- Barbados,
- Martinique,
- Antigua,
- St Lucia,
- Guadeloupe or
- Puerto Rico.
All these entry points are serviced by major airlines. Some of them are Air France, British Airways, Air Canada, Lufthansa, American Airlines and many more. You can also board a local carrier for Dominica and reach the capital, Roseau.
Sea
There are very good ferries available from Martinique and Guadeloupe to Roseau on a regular basis. There is a busy ferry terminal in Roseau, which is the best way to enter Dominica by sea. It is a fun way to make an entry into this island country as it sets the pace for the days to come. You will feel as if you are getting acclimatized to being next to the sea for virtually the entire duration of your stay.
Dominica - Getting Around
Travelling By Taxi
Dominica is a small island and commuting from one end to the other is not difficult at all. The best way to get around is to use taxis which are readily available. All those with *HA,*H and*HB on the licence plates are registered taxis that have been insured. The Dominica Tourist Board can be of great assistance in hiring reliable taxis. Their contact numbers are:
Tel: 767 448-2045
Fax: 767 448-5840
Mini vans are also a good alternative as they are more spacious and can be shared by a group.
Public Transport
Minibuses are used as a means of public transportation. All these start from the capital Roseau and go to all the remote corners of the island. The fares start from EC $1.50 and can go up to EC $10.25. Northbound buses start from West and East Bridge and southbound ones from the Old Market Plaza.
Standard mini-bus fares from Roseau:
Canefield EC $2.00
Loubiere EC $2.00
Pointe Michel EC $2.00
Trafalgar EC $2.75
Laudat EC $3.50
Scott's Head EC $4.00
Grand Bay EC $4.50
Portsmouth EC $8.00
Calibishie EC $9.50
Carib territory EC $9.50
Marigot EC $9.50
Driving in Dominica
If you prefer to drive yourself, getting a temporary driver's licence is a good idea. This is a country meant for driving. Its scenic roads, though not always in perfect condition, offer beautiful spots on the way and the weather is pleasant most times of the year.
You can apply for a driver's permit through a rental company. Or get it processed right at the Melville Hall Airport as you land in Dominica. You can even get a driver's permit processed at any police station. You have to present a permanent driver's license of your own country along with your passport.
Driving Licence Fee: EC $30.00
A few driving tips and pointers:
- Dominica has a left side drive. This is similar to Britain, as Dominica was once a British colony.
- There are very few straight roads in Dominica, the terrain is largely rocky and mountainous and so the roads are full of curves and bends. The winding roads make the distance seem longer but at the same time add a thrill to the drive.
- Most cars available here are Japanese-made (surprisingly, very few British-made cars are available.)
- Drive at a medium speed as sudden potholes or bumps appear at times.
- The drive from Melville Airport to Roseau takes a little over an hour.
The best option for exploring the island is to hire a taxi for the duration of your stay. That way you don't have to tire yourself out driving and finding your way around. The expertise of a good driver can put you at ease. Sit back and concentrate on what you are there for - sightseeing, unwinding and having a great time.
One of the most popular vehicles here is the Suzuki 4-wheel drive jeep, which is tough enough for the slightly uneven roads and is very reliable. It makes good sense to hire something like that as a major part of your excursions would be into wild areas, forest reserves and waterfalls. A durable jeep is much better than a swanky car for the ultimate safari-like experience.
Transportation Companies
Caribbean Star
airway
H.H.V WitChurch & Co. Ltd.
P.O Box 771 Old Street, Roseau
800 744 STAR/767 448 2181
767 448 5787
hhvwhitchurch@cwdom.dm
Coastal Airline
airway
Dominica
640 773 6862/ 767 448 0111
Air Canada
airway
Dominica
888 247 2262
British Airways
airway
Dominica
800 403 0882
http://www.britishairways.com/travel/globalgateway.jsp/global/public/en_
Accessories Plus
Car
4 Winston Lane, Goodwill
Roseau
767 448 4413/ 500 4412/ 245 4413
guistec@hotmail.com
Atlantic Car Rental
car
Marigot
767 445 8307
767 445 7779
atlantic@cwdom.dm
Best Deal Rent-A-Car
car
15 Hanover Street
767 449 9204/ 767 235 3325
767 449 9207
bestdeal@cwdom.dm
Bonus Car Rentals
car
P.O Box 96
Roseau
767 448 2650
767 448 6050
cphillip@cwdom.dm
Budget Rent A Car
car
Canefield
767 449 2080/ 235 2080
767 449 2694
budgetdominica@cwdom.dm
Courtesy Car Rental
car
10 Winston Lane, Goodwill
Roseau
767 448 7763/ 235 7763
767 448 7733
courtesyrental@cwdom.com
Easy Car Rentals
car
50 River Bank
Roseau
767 440 2156
767 448 6681
easycarrentals@hotmail.com
Economy Car Rentals
car
18 Housing scheme, Bath Estate
Roseau
767 449 9559/ 448 7461/ 235 7461
chrisrental@hotmail.com
Elite Rentals
car
18 Victoria Street
Newtown
767 277 0851
767 448 2701
Garraway Rent-A-Car
car
17Old Street
Roseau
767 448 2891
767 448 0541
garrawaye@cwdom.dm
Island Car Rentals Ltd
car
Canefield
767 255 6844/ 255 6867/235 7368/ 445 8789
767 448 0737
islandcar@cwdom.dm
Jx Rent A Car
car
Picard
Portsmouth
767 445 3497
767 445 5926
jxrentals@hotmail.com
Nature Island Car Rental
car
Copthall
Roseau
767 440 3861/ 616 0405
767 440 3862
rent@nicrental.com
Silver Lining
car
Michael Douglas BLVD
Portsmouth
767 445 3802
767 440 3802
silverlining@cwdom.dm
U-Save Rent A Car
car
Goodwill Road Box 3
Roseau
767 445 6931/4178
767 445 6662
subort@hotmail.com
Valley Rent A Car
car
Goodwill Road Box 3
Roseau
767 448 3233
767 448 6009
valley@cwdom.dm
L'Express Des Iles
boat
H.H.V. Whitchurch & Co. Ltd.
P.O. Box 771 Roseau
767 448 2181
767 448 5787
hhvwhitchurch@cwdom.dm
Algy Taxi & Car Rental
car
Morne Prosper
Dominica
767 448 8858
Road Runner Rentals
car
Fond Cole Industrial Estate
Roseau
767 440 2952/ 767 235 2952
Wide Range Car Rentals
car
Roseau
767 448 2198
