Car Hire Hewanorra International Airport

Car Hire

With two airports to choose from, it’s rarely difficult to find a way to reach the idyllic Caribbean island of Saint Lucia. Hewanorra International Airport is the larger of the two, used most frequently by long-distance flights from North America and Europe. This airport is situated three miles from the town of Vieux Fort at the southern end of the island. It can take an hour to reach the main resorts in the north by rental car, but the drive is stunning and the road in great shape.

Who to Book With
There are four car hire companies at Hewanorra Airport to choose from: Avis, Alto, Budget and St Lucia Car Rental. They are all found right outside the Baggage Claim area, and accept both walk-in rentals and advanced bookings. Due to the limited number of rental cars on the island it’s advised to book early during peak travel periods like the winter season.

Need to Know Essentials
When you collect your rental car at the airport be prepared to show:

- A valid driving licence or International Driving Permit
- The same credit card you used when making the reservation
- Another photo ID in case they request it
- If possible, a printed rental confirmation receipt

For more info read our FAQ's.

Driving
Driving around Saint Lucia is a treat thanks to minimal traffic congestion and good parking options. Even in the capital Castries there is rarely a problem finding a place to park, but drivers should keep an eye out for overly-casual local drivers. Most parking on the island is free, with a few pay lots around major tourist areas like the ferry terminal at Castries. Finding petrol can be tricky outside of the main towns, so be sure and fuel up before heading out. There are no compulsory items required to be in your car, but ask the rental office if they have a warning triangle and safety vest in case you have engine troubles on the rural roads that tend to be curvy.

See our guide to Saint Lucia for more information on driving here.

Transport

Travellers flying into Hewanorra Airport can hire a taxi or use the shared shuttle vans to reach their destination. There are also public buses for those travelling very light and private helicopters for anyone with the means to pay the fare. Car hire at the airport is another popular transport option since most resorts are around an hour from Vieux Fort.

Taxis
Taxis queue up directly outside the exit of the airport terminal. Most of them do not use meters, but have the same fixed rates to the main towns around the island. There is a fixed rate for the first three passengers, with extra fees for each additional passenger.

Taxi prices:
Saint Lucia Airport to Castries is about £55
Saint Lucia Airport to Fort Vieux is about £25
Saint Lucia Airport to Soufriere is about £40

Buses
The Islander shuttle company and St Lucia Shuttle are both good affordable ways to reach most resorts around Saint Lucia from the airport. They depart after each arriving flight and charge around £15 per person to most destinations in the north of the island. Hewanorra Airport is right off the East Coast Road, so it’s also possible to hop on the public bus, which makes a stop right outside the airport complex in front of the Texaco petrol station. Fares are less than £1, and the trip time is 10 minutes to Vieux Fort and 90 minutes to Castries.

Facilities

Terminals
There is just one terminal at Saint Lucia’s Hewanorra International Airport. Each year over 600,000 passengers fly into the facility located just outside of Vieux Fort at the southern end of the island. There are good connections from America and Canada via America, Delta, JetBlue, US Airways and Air Canada. The UK also enjoys good service from London Gatwick via British Airways and Virgin Atlantic. Flights from around the Caribbean usually land at George Charles Airport in the north of the island.

Parking
A single car park with the capacity to handle around 100 vehicles is situated directly in front of the terminal. Fees are around £1 per hour up to six hours, with a maximum of £6 per day.

Wi-Fi
There is no Wi-Fi internet at the airport in Saint Lucia.

Information Services
An airport information desk can be found in the Arrivals area of the terminal.

Useful Numbers
Airport information: +758 454 6355

Accessibility
There are ramps both outside and inside the terminal to assist with mobility reduced passengers. Additional help can be arranged by calling the airport information office prior to arrival, or contacting your airline directly.

Restaurants and Bars
Hewanorra Airport has a handful of cafés and snack bars, primarily in the area before security. There is a snack bar in Departures.

VIP Lounges

Terminal 1:
Layanola Lounge

Money and ATMs
There is a single bank inside the terminal’s main area that has currency exchange services. It is open from 12:00 to 16:30. There are also Bank of St Lucia ATMs right outside of the Customs hall.

Shopping
The terminal at Hewanorra Airport has a decent selection of typical shops selling local products, travel sundries and reading material. Duty-free outlets sell a full range of items in the departures area.