Is There Uber in St. Kitts? How Taxis Work Instead
No, there is no Uber in St. Kitts, and no Lyft either. You get around by licensed taxi: they wait at the airport, the cruise port and hotels, or you book one ahead by phone or WhatsApp.
By Mechiel Francis Dunrod, licensed St. Kitts taxi driver and tour guide ·
Quick answer: No. Uber and Lyft don't operate in St. Kitts, and the island isn't on Uber's city list (checked October 2026). Use a licensed taxi, which has a yellow plate. Taxis have no meters, so agree the price, and whether it is in US or EC dollars, before you ride.
Is there Uber in St. Kitts?
No. Uber's list of countries includes Barbados, Jamaica and Saint Lucia, but not St. Kitts and Nevis. Lyft doesn't operate here either.
Visitors use licensed taxis instead, which work differently from ride-hailing: you agree the price with the driver before you set off.
How taxis work in St. Kitts
Taxis are privately owned vans and cars, licensed by the government. The St. Kitts Tourism Authority says you'll find them near the airport, the cruise dock, hotels and major attractions, around the clock. To book ahead, see our page on taking a taxi in St. Kitts.
How to recognise a licensed taxi
Look for a yellow licence plate. The Inland Revenue Department assigns yellow plates to vehicles licensed for taxi service, and the number usually starts with T or TA. Black plates are private cars, which may not be used for paid rides.
Green plates are public minibuses, covered below. Using a licensed taxi is one of the simple precautions in our guide Is St. Kitts safe?
St. Kitts taxi rates: how fares are set
Taxis have no meters. Fares for common routes are set by the government and posted at the airport, so the dispatcher or your driver can tell you the price before you go. Waiting time, extra luggage and late-night rides can add to the fare.
Per car or per person?
It depends on the trip. A short ride for a small group is usually priced for the whole car, while tours, beach round trips and larger groups are often priced per person. Always ask which it is before you set off.
How much is a taxi in St. Kitts?
It depends on the distance, the number of people and the time of day. A hop from the airport or the cruise port to a nearby hotel or beach costs far less than a day touring the island.
For a firm price before you land, send us your pickup point, destination and group size on WhatsApp. Our beach round trips, for example, start at 20 USD per person from Basseterre to Frigate Bay; all prices are on our taxi and beach round-trip page.
Paying in US or EC dollars, and tipping
Both currencies work. The EC dollar is fixed at EC$2.70 to US$1, and US notes are widely accepted, but change usually comes in EC dollars and US coins are not taken. The Tourism Authority advises checking whether a quoted price is in EC or US dollars before you set off.
Carry cash, and ask before the ride if you want to pay by card. We prefer cash too, and have a card machine (a fee applies).
Tips are appreciated but not required, according to the Tourism Authority. Our St. Kitts currency and tipping guide has more on cash and tipping.
St. Kitts airport taxi
Licensed taxis wait outside arrivals at Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport (SKB). The airport dispatchers can tell you the fare, and the government rates are posted in the terminal.
To have a driver waiting for you, pre-book. For our airport transfers, send:
- Arrival date and time
- Flight number
- Number of passengers and bags
- Your hotel or villa
We coordinate by WhatsApp around your landing. No roaming? Connect to the airport Wi-Fi and message us when you land.
Taxis at the cruise port
At Port Zante, taxis and pre-booked tour drivers wait just outside the pier gate. Agree the price, the stops and the return time before you get in, and tell the driver your all-aboard time.
Cruise guests who book with us get our back-to-ship promise: we get you back to the ship on time. See rides and tours for cruise passengers, or our private tours for a day with several stops.
Booking by phone, WhatsApp or your hotel
Many drivers take bookings directly by phone or WhatsApp. Your hotel front desk can also call a taxi and tell you the usual fare.
To book with us, send your pickup point, time, destination and number of passengers. Mechiel drives a 14-passenger bus with luggage space, so groups of up to 14 travel together.
Our FAQ page answers common questions about payment and pickups. For a tour day, a 20% deposit holds your booking.
Alternatives: rental cars and minibuses
Rental cars and the local driving permit
You can rent a car, but you need a temporary local driving permit, even with an international licence. The Tourism Authority lists it at EC$62.50 (US$24) for three months or EC$125 (US$45) for a year, from the Traffic Department or through your rental company.
Driving is on the left, and seatbelts are compulsory.
Minibuses
Public minibuses are privately owned vans with green plates, usually starting with H. They run from Basseterre along the main road around the island, and fares are in EC dollars.
Under the fares set by the Traffic Safety and Public Service Drivers Board from November 18, 2024, adults pay EC$3.50 to EC$4.75 a trip and children under 12 pay half. The fare tables don't include Frigate Bay or the Southeast Peninsula, so take a taxi to those beaches; our guide to the best beaches in St. Kitts shows how far each one is.
Heading to Nevis? The ferry and water taxi are covered in our St. Kitts to Nevis guide.
Book your ride ahead
Send your date, pickup point and group size, or your flight details for an airport pickup. We'll confirm the price before you ride.
Uber and taxi FAQ
Is there Uber or Lyft in St. Kitts?
No. Neither Uber nor Lyft operates in St. Kitts and Nevis, and the islands are not on Uber's city list (checked October 2026). Visitors use licensed taxis instead, which wait at the airport, the cruise port and hotels, or can be booked ahead by phone or WhatsApp.
How much is a taxi in St. Kitts?
It depends on distance, group size and time of day. Fares for common routes are set by the government and posted at the airport, while tours and round trips are quoted separately. Ask the driver for the price and the currency before you ride, or message us for a quote before you arrive.
Are taxi fares in St. Kitts per person or per car?
It depends on the trip. Short rides for small groups are usually priced for the whole car, while tours, beach round trips and larger groups are often priced per person. Ask which it is, and whether the price is in US or EC dollars, before you set off.
Can I pay a St. Kitts taxi in US dollars?
Yes. US notes are widely accepted, and visitor fares are often quoted in US dollars. Change usually comes in EC dollars, and US coins are not taken. Confirm which currency the quoted price is in before the ride starts.
Do you tip taxi drivers in St. Kitts?
Tipping is appreciated but not required, according to the St. Kitts Tourism Authority. If your driver helps with heavy bags, waits patiently or shares good local tips, a small extra is a kind thank-you.
Do I need a permit to drive a rental car in St. Kitts?
Yes. Visitors need a temporary local driving permit, even with an international licence. The St. Kitts Tourism Authority lists it at EC$62.50 (US$24) for three months or EC$125 (US$45) for a year, from the Traffic Department or through your rental company. Drive on the left.
Sources
- Uber: countries and cities where Uber operates, checked October 2026.
- St. Kitts Tourism Authority: getting around, checked October 2026.
- Traffic Safety and Public Service Drivers Board: omnibus fares from November 2024 (PDF), checked October 2026.
- Inland Revenue Department: vehicle licence plates, checked October 2026.
