Guide To St. Lucia Main Airport UVF HIA
UVF Airport, otherwise known as Hewanorra International Airport HIA, is the larger of the two airports serving the Caribbean island of St. Lucia and can be found about 40 miles south of Castries in the town of Vieux Fort. A taxi from Hewanorra International Airport to Rodney Bay Area is about an hour and a half by car, and the travel time from Castries to Soufriere is about one hour. Another popular way to get around the island is via helicopter transfer. The George Charles Airport (SLU) is located in Castries, the capital city of the beautiful island of St. Lucia.
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There are many airlines that fly to the island of St. Lucia. These airlines include:
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- American Airlines
- Air Antilles Express
- Delta, US Airways
- United Airlines
- British Airways
- LIAT
- Air Canada
- Caribbean Airlines
- Virgin Atlantic
- WestJet
- Jet Blue, Fly Thomas Cook, Air Caraibe, United Airlines Transat Tours, Condor, and International Charters.
Offering Easy Access to the Island
One of the unique things about St. Lucia is that while it is big on adventure and beauty, it is a remarkably small island. At only 27 miles long and 14 miles in width, your destination is never far away. Whether you arrive at the St. Lucia main airport of Hewanorra (Airport code UVF) or the regional George F.L. Charles Airport (airport code SLU), you’ll find that both of the airports in St. Lucia put you less than an hour and a half from virtually anything you want to see or do.
The original names of St. Lucia were ‘Ioüanalao’ and Hewanorra, the latter of which means “there where the iguana is found". These names were Amerindian, given by the Amerindian people who were well established on the island long before it was ever set foot upon by the first European.
Where Are St. Lucia’s Airports?
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George F.L. Charles Airport, St. Lucia’s regional airport, serves flights from the Caribbean and is located in Castries.
It is located about an hour and 15 minutes from Soufriere, where you can find The Pitons, Diamond Falls, Sulphur Springs, and some of the island’s best Airbnb rentals such as Sargas, Serrana, and Saba villas as well as Sugar Beach, Hummingbird Beach, and more.
SLU is also located about 15 minutes from Rodney Bay, where visitors will find yachts. Other nearby attractions include Gros Islet, home of the island’s famous Gros Islet Street Party on Friday nights as well as Pigeon Island. Castries is also home to many of the island’s top resorts, such as Rendezvous, St. James Club Morgan Bay, and Sandals’ Halcyon Beach and La Toc resorts.
Hewanorra International Airport (UVF) HIA is located in Vieux Fort, on the southern tip of the island. From here it is about 45 minutes to Soufriere and its many attractions and accommodations. UVF is also about an hour and five minutes away from Castries and an hour and a half from Gros Islet. Transfer service to Soufriere and other areas of the island from UVF is best booked in advance and can take you to your resort, hotel, or luxury Airbnb directly from the airport or with stops for photos or food in between.
It is located about an hour and 15 minutes from Soufriere, where you can find The Pitons, Diamond Falls, Sulphur Springs, and some of the island’s best Airbnb rentals such as Sargas, Serrana, and Saba villas as well as Sugar Beach, Hummingbird Beach, and more.
SLU is also located about 15 minutes from Rodney Bay, where visitors will find yachts. Other nearby attractions include Gros Islet, home of the island’s famous Gros Islet Street Party on Friday nights as well as Pigeon Island. Castries is also home to many of the island’s top resorts, such as Rendezvous, St. James Club Morgan Bay, and Sandals’ Halcyon Beach and La Toc resorts.
Hewanorra International Airport (UVF) HIA is located in Vieux Fort, on the southern tip of the island. From here it is about 45 minutes to Soufriere and its many attractions and accommodations. UVF is also about an hour and five minutes away from Castries and an hour and a half from Gros Islet. Transfer service to Soufriere and other areas of the island from UVF is best booked in advance and can take you to your resort, hotel, or luxury Airbnb directly from the airport or with stops for photos or food in between.
10 Travel Tips for a Smooth Experience
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Things To Know Before You Go to St. Lucia
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What do you do on your very first day of arrival?
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Getting to and From the Hewanorra Airport
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Guests will find transportation readily available whether looking for helicopter transfers from the St. Lucia airport or seeking a St. Lucia airport taxi.
The cost for a transfer to Soufriere or elsewhere on the island varies by company, as taxis are not metered, and booking in advance is the best way to secure the lowest price while also insuring that a driver is waiting after you clear customs.
Whether you are waiting for a shuttle from the Sandals Lounge at UVF St Lucia Airport or seek a St. Lucia taxi to Sapphire Apartments in Soufriere, you will find that quality transportation is relatively easy to secure.
If taxis and shuttles aren’t quite what you are looking for, you will also find that a car rental from UVF or SLU is an option. St. Lucia airport car rentals offer a variety of four wheel drive vehicles to help you navigate the terrain, and some companies also offer GPS and loaner phones at no additional cost in order to ensure that you are able to get where you want to go.
When it comes to St. Lucia airport transportation, you have many options. The best choice you can make is to do some research, find an affordable company with many positive reviews, and book in advance so that all you need do upon arrival is get ready to have the vacation of a lifetime!
The cost for a transfer to Soufriere or elsewhere on the island varies by company, as taxis are not metered, and booking in advance is the best way to secure the lowest price while also insuring that a driver is waiting after you clear customs.
Whether you are waiting for a shuttle from the Sandals Lounge at UVF St Lucia Airport or seek a St. Lucia taxi to Sapphire Apartments in Soufriere, you will find that quality transportation is relatively easy to secure.
If taxis and shuttles aren’t quite what you are looking for, you will also find that a car rental from UVF or SLU is an option. St. Lucia airport car rentals offer a variety of four wheel drive vehicles to help you navigate the terrain, and some companies also offer GPS and loaner phones at no additional cost in order to ensure that you are able to get where you want to go.
When it comes to St. Lucia airport transportation, you have many options. The best choice you can make is to do some research, find an affordable company with many positive reviews, and book in advance so that all you need do upon arrival is get ready to have the vacation of a lifetime!
Flights to St. Lucia UVF
- Flights to St. Lucia from Canada - Direct flights to St. Lucia are possible from both Montreal and Toronto using either Air Canada or Transat.
- Flights to St. Lucia from Europe - There are more direct flights from Europe to St. Lucia than most of the islands in the Caribbean. United Kingdom residents will find that there are two airports offering direct flights to the island- one in the city of London and the other located in Manchester.
- Flying to St. Lucia from the Caribbean -There are well-developed air routes between St. Lucia and many of the islands located throughout the Caribbean. Moving around the region is easy and convenient thanks to providers such as LIAT and Caribbean Airlines.
Visa for Saint Lucia - Apply With Ministry of Home Affairs
If you are a foreign national who hopes to visit St. Lucia for business, pleasure, or study, In addition to a valid passport from your own country, you will need to contact the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration Department to obtain a valid St. Lucian visa.
They can be contacted as follows:
Visa Office, Immigration Department
Telephone: (758) 456-3825
Fax: (758) 456-3823
They can be contacted as follows:
Visa Office, Immigration Department
Telephone: (758) 456-3825
Fax: (758) 456-3823
St. Lucia Airport Development Charge
Taking effect May 1, 2011, travelers to St. Lucia will be charged an additional USD $35 on each airline ticket to the island in the form of an Airport Development Charge.
Hewanorra International Airport airport security information
The TSA, or Transportation Security Administration, strongly recommends that passengers for all flights arrive at the airport a minimum of two hours before their scheduled departure time. This is because random personal searches as well as new procedures for screening both baggage and passengers have been implemented at airports across the globe.
In order to make your trip to the airport smoother and to help ensure that you board your flight on time, it is recommended that you remember the following safety and security issues:
In order to make your trip to the airport smoother and to help ensure that you board your flight on time, it is recommended that you remember the following safety and security issues:
- Make sure that you have your passport and boarding pass on your person at all times
- If you are using an electronic ticket, make sure that you print out your confirmation page before you leave for the airport - Apartments for Rent in St. Lucia.
- Avoid wearing objects made of metal. Remove your loose change, cell phone, keys, and personal data assistants from your pockets and place them in the bin that is provided at the security checkpoint.
- Only passengers with tickets are allowed to pass through security checkpoints. If you are accompanying an elderly person or a child, check with the airline for specific procedures and make sure that you have all of the necessary documentation.
Taxi, Car, and Van Service
From airport taxi service, and VIP shuttles to tours, helicopter transfers, provides services are a notch above the competition, taking great pride in all they do.
Take the time to contact Saint Lucia Airport Shuttle today to learn what sets them apart from the competition. They are a favored travel company for everyone from the personal traveler to businesses and celebrities, and accomplish this by offering a level of quality and service that is simply unrivaled.
The Islelander Group of companies is exceptionally proud to have always called St. Lucia home, and you will find that their pride and dedication to excellence shine through in everything they do.
Take the time to contact Saint Lucia Airport Shuttle today to learn what sets them apart from the competition. They are a favored travel company for everyone from the personal traveler to businesses and celebrities, and accomplish this by offering a level of quality and service that is simply unrivaled.
The Islelander Group of companies is exceptionally proud to have always called St. Lucia home, and you will find that their pride and dedication to excellence shine through in everything they do.
Carry-ons, Baggage Claim
It is important to be aware of regulations and restrictions regarding carry-on luggage. These include both size and weight limitations. To obtain complete information and rules regarding carry-on luggage and to obtain a complete list of permissible and banned carry-on items, visit the TSA or Transportation Security Administration . Some general rules concerning carry-on luggage are listed below:
- Each passenger is permitted to bring one carry-on bag as well as one personal item like a purse, briefcase, or laptop.
- Sharp objects, including knives, razors, nail clippers, and scissors are not allowed to be brought aboard the plane.
- Carrying wrapped gifts is not recommended, as security officials may unwrap them in order to fully examine them. Instead, it is recommended that you send the gifts directly to their destination or carry wrapping paper with you.
For your comfort, it is also possible to book a helicopter transfer from Hewanorra to Castries, Executive Service or private ground transportation.