Most hotel shuttle vans reach ANU Terminal 1 in 15–25 minutes
Hotel shuttle vans at V. C. Bird International Airport run between Terminal 1 arrivals and larger properties around Antigua, usually on a 15–25 minute drive depending on traffic along Sir George Walter Highway. These are private hotel services, not airport-operated, so each property sets its own pickup point and timing. Many resorts along Dickenson Bay and Jolly Harbour group arriving guests by flight number and send one van per group.
Arrivals pickup usually happens just outside the main exit doors of Terminal 1, past customs and baggage claim, where drivers stand with printed hotel signs. Most hotels ask you to provide your flight number at least 24–48 hours in advance so they can time the van to meet scheduled landings. If you do not see your hotel’s sign within 10–15 minutes, walk back inside and have airport information call the property.
Shuttles are often bundled into the room rate at all‑inclusive resorts, but some properties charge around US$15–30 per person each way, collected either at check‑in or billed to your room. A few smaller guesthouses on the south side of the island share vans and may quote a flat rate per vehicle instead of per passenger, especially for groups of 3–6. Always confirm whether the quoted price is one‑way or round‑trip.
Most hotel vans run from the airport from the first morning arrivals around 07:00 until the last evening flights land near 22:00, but schedules depend on your property, not the airport. Late arrivals from connecting hubs like Miami or London sometimes trigger a special run, which you should confirm by email before you fly. For 06:00–07:00 departures from ANU, hotels typically schedule return shuttles about 2.5–3 hours before flight time.
Unlike the public buses that stop along Old Parham Road, hotel shuttles go directly from Terminal 1 to the property with no intermediate pickups. Vans are usually 8–15 seat vehicles with air‑conditioning, but luggage space can feel tight if your group has more than one checked bag per person. Families with strollers or sports gear like golf clubs should mention this when booking so the hotel can send a larger van.
Practical tip: Print or save your hotel’s shuttle instructions and emergency phone number before you land; mobile data can be patchy outside Terminal 1, and having the number handy saves 10–15 minutes if the van is late or parked in a different lane.