Barbados does not have a national airline but many airlines operate regular direct flights there. American Airlines (website: www.aa.com) flies from the USA. British Airways (website: www.britishairways.com) and Virgin Atlantic (website: www.virgin-atlantic.com) fly direct from London.

From London to Barbados is 7 hours 30 minutes, and from New York is 5 hours.

Barbados (BGI) (Grantley Adams International) is 16km (10 miles) southeast of Bridgetown, in Christ Church. To/from the airport: There is a regular bus service to the city (journey time – 45 minutes) which departs every 10 minutes, and a 24-hour taxi service (journey time – 30 minutes). Please note that airport porters are ubiquitous and charge for transporting luggage between the luggage claim area and the street. Facilities: Bank, post office, bureaux de change, bar, shops and restaurant. The outgoing duty-free shop carries a range of items including jewellery, perfumes, china, crystal, cameras, shoes and clothing.

US 27.50 ($BD 55). Passengers in transit who will be remaining in Barbados for less than 24 hours and children (aged under 12) are exempt.

Main ports: Barbados’s deep-water harbour at Bridgetown is a port of call for a number of British, European and US cruise lines (www.barbadosport.com). The Bridgetown Cruise Ship Terminal is a multi-purpose marketplace containing duty-free shops, a local goods market, restaurant and bar, customs, immigration, health services and police facilities. Other services include a bureau de change, car hire, ATM and a communications centre with telephones, Internet, fax machines and mobile phone hire.