Travel to British Virgin Islands

British Virgin Islands: Travel Info

How do you get to the British Virgin Islands?

Since the British Virgin Islands have no borders with the mainland, they can only be reached from abroad by plane or ship. They are often visited by sailors and motor yachts.

Air traffic

In the British Virgin Islands there are a total of five airports:

The most important airport is the Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport (also Beef Island Airport), which is located on the eastern tip of Tortola (on Beef Island) and about 15 kilometers east of Road Town is located. It can be reached via the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge. Three times a day an airport bus takes 20 minutes to the city center of Road Town. If you miss it, you can use taxis. The airport has a tourist information office and a rental car counter.

Other and much smaller airports in the British Virgin Islands are Virgin Gorda, which is three miles outside of Spanish Town and on the island of Virgin Gorda, Anegada on the island of Anegada, North Sound Virgin on the island of Virgin Gorda and West End SPB on the island of Tortola.

There is no direct connection between the British Virgin Islands and Europe. With British Midlands you can reach the archipelago via Manchester, Antigua and Barbuda or via New York, Chicago or Miami and San Juan on Puerto Rico. There are also flight connections via the Netherlands Antilles St. Kitts and St. Maarten or the American Virgin Island St. Thomas. This route is served by American Airlines and American Eagle, as well as Caribbean Star, LIAT, Air Sunshine, Cape Air, Fly BVI and Winair.

Shipping

The main port of the islands is in the capital Road Town. From there there is a regular ferry connection to the ports of Charlotte Amalie and Red Hook in the American Virgin Islands (45 minutes travel time), but also connections within the island realm itself. Tortola Fast Ferry operates between Road Town and Charlotte Amalie, Smith’s Ferry Service Ltd. between Road Town, West End, Virgin Gorda and St. Thomas and Speedy’s finally operates between Virgin Gorda, Road Town and St. Thomas.

Other important ports in the British Virgin Islands are West End (Tortola), Great Harbor (Jost Van Dyke) and St. Thomas Bay(Virgin Gorda). The ports of the Virgin Island are called by cruise ships of the Seabourn Cruise Line, Hapag Lloyd Kreuzfahrten, Royal Caribbean Cruises and Aida Cruises.

Travel in the country

Air traffic

Small planes regularly fly back and forth between the islands of Tortola, Virgin Gorda and Anegada. These flights are guaranteed by Caribbean Wings.

Road traffic

The British Virgin Islands have a road network of around 177 kilometers, which is relatively well developed and which also includes a multi-lane expressway on the south coast. But the roads are mostly only two lanes, narrow, sometimes quite mountainous and with many potholes. The inexperienced driver will also have to deal with stray animals and the fast driving style of the locals. You should therefore exercise extreme caution, especially when it rains .

Rental

Cars To rent a car you need an international driving license as well as a vacation driving license, which you can get from the police or the rental company of the British Virgin Islands for a fee of US $ 10. Car rental companies can be found on some of the larger islands, including Beef Island Airport. Liability insurance can also be obtained from the rental company concerned.

Renting a moped is not possible.

Taxis

Taxis have government-set prices, but they are quite high. Every taxi driver must keep a copy of the price list in the car. The BVI Taxi Association taxis operate on various standard routes. But it is also possible to hire taxis by the hour or by the day. This is definitely recommended, because all drivers on the islands are also tourist guides.

Shipping and boat rental

There are ferry connections between all 16 inhabited islands, which unfortunately are anything but regular. The trips are guaranteed by, for example, Jost Van Dyke Ferry, Smith’s Ferry Service or Speedy’s. Boats of different types can also be rented (e.g. at Windward Islands). In general, boat rental has become one of the most important industries in the British Virgin Islands. Yachts and ferries are offered, which can be rented for entire excursions. A gli gli, one of the traditional dugout canoes used by the Carib Indians, is also highly recommended. Excursions from Tortola to Virgin Gorda or St. Thomas (US Virgin Islands) are made with the Bomba Charger hydrofoil, which is ideal for such excursions. You also have the opportunity

Public Transport

There is no public transport in the British Virgin Islands.

Traffic rules

Although the British Virgin Islands drive on the left, the steering wheel is on the left as in Europe.

In order to avoid trouble with the police or even the courts, one should strictly adhere to the traffic rules applicable in the country. The maximum speeds shown can of course be reduced or increased by traffic signs. Regardless of the information provided here, it is advisable to obtain detailed information from the ADAC, the AvD, prior to departure.

Maximum speeds

The British Virgin Islands have a maximum speed of 40 miles per hour.

In addition to the general speed limits shown, the speed limits indicated by signs must be strictly observed.

International license plate

According to Abbreviationfinder, the British Virgin Islands international license plate is:

VG

Entry and exit regulations

Formalities, visas

Citizens of an EU country or Switzerland do not need a visa to enter the British Virgin Islands, provided they do not stay longer than four weeks. Residence permits can be applied for at the Immigration Department (Government of the British Virgin Islands, Road Town, Tortola, Tel: 43701, Fax: 44399) two days before the four weeks are up.

For entry from the EU and Switzerland, a passport is required that is valid for at least six months at the time of entry. Entry with just an identity card is not possible. Furthermore, the person entering the country must have a valid onward or return flight ticketfeature. When traveling with children, we recommend a child’s passport, which replaces the old child’s ID. However, you can also have the child entered in a parent’s passport.

Issuing of visas in Germany

The consulates of Great Britain issue visas.

Issuing visas in Austria and Switzerland Visa issuing is done by

the consulates of Great Britain.

Fees and Foreign Exchange

Departure fee

In many countries, a fee or airport tax has to be paid when leaving the country. This fee is currently US $ 20.00 when leaving the British Virgin Islands.

Import and export of foreign currencies

National and foreign currencies may be imported and exported without restriction. However, a sum equivalent to US $ 10,000 must be declared.

Import and export of goods

On entry (if the owner is over 18 years old)

200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 227 g tobacco products are allowed,

1.14 l of wine or spirits

Import bans possession, sale, and import and export of drugs. There is a threat of fines and prison sentences.

Anyone who wants to import weapons, which also include alarm pistols, diving pistols and boat signal pistols, requires a special import permit.

Note

Travelers across the United States should also familiarize themselves with United States entry and exit requirements.

British Virgin Islands: Travel Medicine, Vaccinations and Warnings

Infectious Diseases

In the British Virgin Islands, the following infectious diseases are to be expected in Germany or Central and Northern Europe:

  • Malaria, there is no risk of malaria in the British Virgin Islands.
  • Dengue fever occurs occasionally. It is therefore recommended that you protect yourself against insect bites. This can be done with mosquito nets or mosquito repellants (e.g. Nobite or Autan).
  • Intestinal infections from contaminated food or water, including amoeba, lamblia, salmonella, shigella and worm infestation, as well as all kinds of viruses and bacteria
  • Hepatitis A and B occur. While a hepatitis A vaccination is generally recommended, you only need to be vaccinated against hepatitis B if you stay in the country for a long time or if you have close contact with the local population.
  • HIV/AIDS is very common on the islands. So you shouldn’t take any risks of infection (e.g. unprotected sexual intercourse, unclean syringes, blood transfusions, etc.).
  • Bilharziagerms can live in some waters. Bathing in well-kept swimming pools with chlorinated water is harmless.

Vaccination recommendations

When traveling to, the following vaccinations recommended:

  • Diphtheria, a vaccination against diphtheria should always exist in your home country
  • Hepatitis A and B: A hepatitis A vaccination is generally recommended, while vaccination against hepatitis B is only required for people who have lived in the country for a long time and/or who have close contact with the local population. A hepatitis B vaccination is generally recommended for children and adolescents.
  • Tetanus, a vaccination against tetanus should always exist in the home country
  • Rabies, but only in high-risk travelers who can come into contact with the vector animals
  • Typhoid, but only in travelers who may come into contact with polluted water or contaminated food

Vaccination requirements There are no vaccination requirements when entering or staying in the country.

Malaria prophylaxis Malaria

prophylaxis is not necessary for the British Virgin Islands, as this disease does not occur there.

Further recommendations

While Tortola has very good medical facilities and two hospitals, there are no medical wards on the other islands. In general, medical care in the British Virgin Islands is quite limited, so taking out travel health insurance and repatriation insurance is highly recommended. In addition, it doesn’t hurt to put together an individual first-aid kit that you should also protect against the high temperatures.

On site, it is essential to pay attention to the special hygiene measures when consuming food and enjoying drinks. Since the tap water is very strongly chlorinated, you should not drink it, but always fresh water in bottles (make sure that the seal is intact!) In grocery stores or similar. to be bought.

Hazards and current warning notices

There are currently no country-specific safety instructions for traveling to the British Virgin Islands. For current information, it is best to contact:

Foreign Office of the Federal Republic of Germany

Citizens Service

Telephone: 0049 – (0) 30 – 5000 – 2000

www.auswaertiges-amt.de/de

British Virgin Islands: Currency and Shopping

National currency

The local currency of the British Virgin Islands is the US dollar (US $ or USD) – although the island kingdom is a British overseas territory.

US dollars = 100 cents

Exchange and exchange rate

Exchanges

Euros or Swiss Francs cannot be exchanged in the British Virgin Islands.

To exchange other currencies, such as the British pound or the US dollar, you have to go to the bank.

Bank opening hours and payment

Bank opening times

Banks are in the country Monday to Thursday 9:00 to 3:00 p.m. on Fridays 09:00 to 17:00 open.

Credit cards and travelers checks

All major credit cards (except for the Diner’s Club) are accepted in the country. Most cash machines (ATM) accept EC and Maestro cards. Your bank or the issuer of the card in question will give you more detailed information. As for travelers checks, all major hotels and restaurants and many taxis accept them. The change is then received in cash and in the local currency.

Meanwhile, travelers checks should be made out in US dollars to avoid nasty surprises. You should also not forget that a processing fee of 10% is charged on all travelers checks!

Shop

Shop Hours

Shops in the British Virgin Islands are open Monday through Saturday from 9am to 5pm.

Shopping

You will look in vain for larger shopping centers in the British Virgin Islands. There are smaller shops in the center of the capital, Road Town, while there are actually only small supermarkets and souvenir shops on the islands.

Popular souvenirs

Strawwork, wood carvings, colorful batik fabrics and jewelry are often bought as souvenirs.

British Virgin Islands: Embassies, Consulates and Tourist Office

Visit Countryaah for a full list of British Virgin Islands embassies and consulates in each country around the world.

British Virgin Islands Representations

Embassies and consulates

As the British Virgin Islands do not have their own diplomatic missions abroad, you should contact the British embassies or consulates, for example the embassy in Berlin.

Otherwise you can also contact the tourist contact point in Düsseldorf for questions about the islands (see below).

German representations in the British Virgin Islands

Embassy

The embassy in Trinidad and Tobago is responsible .

This embassy is also responsible for:

  • Antigua and Barbuda
  • Barbados
  • Dominica
  • Grenada
  • Guyana
  • St. Kitts and Nevis
  • St. Lucia
  • St. Vincent
  • Grenadines
  • Suriname

Honorary Consul of the Federal Republic of Germany

811 Sir Francis Drake Highway, Sea Cows Bay, Tortola

PO Box 710

Road Town, Tortola

British Virgin Islands, BWI

Tel: (+1 284) – 4943546

Tourist office

British Virgin Islands Tourist Board

Akara Building, De Castro Street

Road Town, Tortola

Tel: 001 – 284 – 43134

Email: info@bvitouristboard.com

Web: www.bvitourism.com

British Virgin Islands Tourist Board in Germany

c/o TravelMarketing Romberg TMR GmbH

Schwarzbachstrasse 32

40 822 Mettmann/Düsseldorf

Tel: 0049 – (0) 2104 – 28 66 71

Email: bvi@travelmarketing.de

Web: www.britishvirginislands.de

Travel to British Virgin Islands