UVF, SLU: Which St. Lucia Airport Do I Pick?
This is one of our most frequently asked questions. While visitors arriving from other parts of the Caribbean will arrive at George F.L. Charles (SLU) Airport, the vast majority of our guests arrive instead at Hewanorra International Airport, or UVF.
St. Lucia Airports - Where to Fly, What to Know
- St. Lucia is served by George F.L. Charles (SLU) Regional Airport in Castries as well as Hewanorra International Airport (Code UVF) in Vieux Fort to the south.
- Hewanorra International Airport is located about 45 minutes from Islander Escapes Villas in Soufriere, while the trip from George F.L. Charles takes about an hour.
- Hewanorra International Airport is served by a vast number of airlines and has direct flights from locations across the US East Coast, Canada, and the UK.
- George F.L. Charles Airport is served by 3 regional airlines and sees around 32,000 flights annually.
- Both SLU and UVF Airports offer rental cars as well as taxis
- Hewanorra International Airport offers onsite food and dining as well as a small bank with a currency exchange.
- If you are looking to rent a car in St. Lucia, be prepared to purchase a temporary driving permit
- 4x4 vehicles are highly recommended for driving in St. Lucia due to uneven terrain leading to some of the major points of interest.
- US travelers visiting St. Lucia will be required to bring a valid US Passport
- Visitors from the United States, Canada, Great Britain, and the EU are exempt from the Visa requirement to visit St. Lucia.
- Taxis in St. Lucia are not metered, but our partner, St. Lucia Airport Shuttle, offers excellent prices on transfers to Islander Escapes Villas.
- The currency in St. Lucia is the Eastern Caribbean Dollar. ATM’s and resorts can provide currency exchange services, but visiting one of our banks will provide better rates.
The Basics- An Overview of Flying into St. Lucia Airports
The island of St. Lucia is served by two airports. George F.L. Charles (SLU) Regional Airport is located in the north of St. Lucia, in the capital of Castries, and is located about an hour from Soufriere, where you will find our rental villas.
Hewanorra International Airport, or UVF, is located on the southern tip of St. Lucia in Vieux Fort and is about 45 minutes away from our properties.
Hewanorra International Airport, or UVF, is located on the southern tip of St. Lucia in Vieux Fort and is about 45 minutes away from our properties.
Hewanorra International Airport (UVF)
As the larger of St. Lucia’s two airports and the only one serving international flights, Hewanorra International Airport (UVF) is the one that serves most of Islander Escapes Villas’ guests. Hewanorra International Airport offers a few small shops as well as a canteen that offers food.
Not far from the canteen is a small bar that serves alcoholic beverages as well. Travelers looking for different fare, such as pizza or a burger can travel to the nearby restaurant The Reef via taxi. Taxis and rental cars are available at UVF, as is a small bank that offers a currency exchange.
Not far from the canteen is a small bar that serves alcoholic beverages as well. Travelers looking for different fare, such as pizza or a burger can travel to the nearby restaurant The Reef via taxi. Taxis and rental cars are available at UVF, as is a small bank that offers a currency exchange.
Airlines Served by Hewanorra UVF International Airport
- Air Antilles Express
- Air Canada
- American Airlines
- British Airways
- Caribbean Airlines
- Fly Thomas Cook
- International Charters
- Jet Blue
- United Airlines
- United Airlines Condor
- US Airways
- Virgin Atlantic
- WestJet
Departure Points for Flights to Hewanorra International Airport
Visitors from the United States will find that a number of cities provide direct flights to Hewanorra International Airport. If you are flying with American Airlines, you can depart from Charlotte, North Carolina, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, or Miami, Florida. For passengers arriving via JetBlue Airlines, direct flights are offered from Boston, Massachusetts and New York City.
Canadian travelers will find that Air Canada and Transat offer direct flights from both Toronto, Ontario and Montreal, Quebec. European passengers will find many options for direct flights to St. Lucia, including London and Manchester, UK.
Canadian travelers will find that Air Canada and Transat offer direct flights from both Toronto, Ontario and Montreal, Quebec. European passengers will find many options for direct flights to St. Lucia, including London and Manchester, UK.
George F.L. Charles (SLU) Regional Airport
George F.L. Charles (SLU) Airport, also known as Castries Airport or Vigie is much smaller than Hewanorra International Airport, as it serves only the Caribbean region where St. Lucia is located. SLU is served by three regional airlines, LIAT, Antilles, and Air Caraibes. While the airport is small, however, it still sees around 32,000 flights and 400,000 passengers every year.
Caribbean Countries Served by SLU Regional Airport
- Antigua
- Barbados
- Curacao
- Fort-de-France
- Pointe-a-Pitre
- Port of Spain
- Saint Kitts
- Saint Maarten
- Saint Vincent
St. Lucia Passport Requirements
Visitors from the United States will be required to have a valid US Passport in order to enter St. Lucia. In addition, the passport must have a blank page for the entry stamp and must be valid for at least six months from the date of departure to St. Lucia.
Visiting St. Lucia- Do I Need a Visa to Come to St. Lucia?
Visitors from some countries will find that they need a travel visa in order to visit St. Lucia. Countries exempt from Visa requirements include Canada, the United States, Great Britain, and the European Union. United States travelers without a visa will be required to provide travel tickets and documents showing accommodations and basic travel plans.
Flying to and From St. Lucia- Tips to Make Your Journey Seamless
It is recommended that travelers coming to and from St. Lucia arrive at their respective airport two hours before their scheduled departure time in order to allow time for security measures as well as checking luggage. It is important to keep your passport and boarding pass secure at all times but also readily available for security checkpoints.
If you have an electronic ticket, printing your confirmation page before arriving at the airport is also advised. Avoiding clothing that contains metal will make security checkpoints much more seamless and be sure to present all items containing metal such as your cell phone, keys, and coins at the security checkpoint.
The rules for carry-on luggage can vary depending on additions to your ticket, but generally include a single bag and one personal item such as a laptop or pillow that must be able to fit underneath the seat in front of you. Boarding a plane with any type of weapon is expressly prohibited for security reasons, and it is important to note that any gifts should be left unwrapped so that security can examine them.
If you have an electronic ticket, printing your confirmation page before arriving at the airport is also advised. Avoiding clothing that contains metal will make security checkpoints much more seamless and be sure to present all items containing metal such as your cell phone, keys, and coins at the security checkpoint.
The rules for carry-on luggage can vary depending on additions to your ticket, but generally include a single bag and one personal item such as a laptop or pillow that must be able to fit underneath the seat in front of you. Boarding a plane with any type of weapon is expressly prohibited for security reasons, and it is important to note that any gifts should be left unwrapped so that security can examine them.
From Taxis to Rental Cars and Licenses- Leaving the St. Lucia Airport
You will find that both taxis and rental cars are available at both Hewanorra and SLU Airports. While there are plenty of rental car options from big brands such as Budget and Hertz, you will also find affordable, local rental cars. One tip for those looking to rent in St. Lucia is to select a 4x4.
The terrain on the ride to some of our larger attractions can be bumpy and a 4x4 offers greater control and can reach areas of the island that a typical sedan cannot. Visitors will be required to obtain a temporary driver’s permit in order to operate a rental car in St. Lucia, and these can be obtained via the immigration center or via many of the rental car companies. If you are looking to hire a taxi, bear in mind that taxis in St. Lucia are not metered and therefore you should get a price quote in advance.
Our partner, St. Lucia Airport Shuttle.com, offers excellent rates on transfers from UVF and SLU to Islander Escapes Villas and our friendly drivers can even stop for food or photos along the way.
The terrain on the ride to some of our larger attractions can be bumpy and a 4x4 offers greater control and can reach areas of the island that a typical sedan cannot. Visitors will be required to obtain a temporary driver’s permit in order to operate a rental car in St. Lucia, and these can be obtained via the immigration center or via many of the rental car companies. If you are looking to hire a taxi, bear in mind that taxis in St. Lucia are not metered and therefore you should get a price quote in advance.
Our partner, St. Lucia Airport Shuttle.com, offers excellent rates on transfers from UVF and SLU to Islander Escapes Villas and our friendly drivers can even stop for food or photos along the way.
St. Lucia Airport and Travel Tips- Money, Fees, and Other Things to Know
When it comes to travel in St. Lucia, things are fairly seamless. There are, however, a few small things that you will need to know in order to make sure that your trip goes smoothly. For example, the currency used in St. Lucia is the Eastern Caribbean Dollar, or ECD. You will find that many resorts, ATMs, and other locations offer currency exchange services for your convenience, but if you want to get the best rate, you will want to use a bank.
If you did not exchange currency at a bank before departing for the island, you will find that St. Lucia has a number of banks that will perform the service, including one right inside UVF Airport. It is also important to know that while there is a $38 departure tax on tickets for passengers over the age of 12 departing St. Lucia, the cost is included in the ticket fee.
If you did not exchange currency at a bank before departing for the island, you will find that St. Lucia has a number of banks that will perform the service, including one right inside UVF Airport. It is also important to know that while there is a $38 departure tax on tickets for passengers over the age of 12 departing St. Lucia, the cost is included in the ticket fee.
Conclusion
In short, St. Lucia is an incredible island that can be easily reached from all around the globe. Whether you are arriving from Europe or North America or hopping over from elsewhere in the Caribbean, our airports are well equipped to meet your needs. With a bit of preparation and the right documents, your trip to St. Lucia can be perfectly seamless. St. Lucia is a beautiful island with something to offer everyone, and we can’t wait to see you!
In short, St. Lucia is an incredible island that can be easily reached from all around the globe. Whether you are arriving from Europe or North America or hopping over from elsewhere in the Caribbean, our airports are well equipped to meet your needs. With a bit of preparation and the right documents, your trip to St. Lucia can be perfectly seamless. St. Lucia is a beautiful island with something to offer everyone, and we can’t wait to see you!
