There are two basic ways to get to Barbados. As an island it can only be accessed either by air or sea and travel options can be limited.

The only airport is Grantley Adams International airport which is situated on the south side of the island. There are direct services to the USA, Canada as well as connections to some European destinations including London. Visitors from Europe may find that they have to fly into Florida to make a connection to the island. Many of the major airlines run services to Barbados, such as Air Jamaica and American Airlines as well as Virgin Atlantic.

The length of flights obviously varies widely but they are quite lengthy. For example it takes 4hours 30 from New York, 8 hours from London and 9 hours from Frankfurt. Although many flights are said to be non-stop there is often a short stop for refuelling although this does not always mean that the passengers need to leave the plane.

On arrival in Barbados it is not always possible for passengers to leave the plane at the terminal which can mean a lengthy walk from the plane across the airport and passengers with walking difficulties are advised to make arrangements for assistance when booking their tickets. Passport holders from the UK do not need a visa to enter the island providing they are not staying any longer than 6 months but a valid passport is essential.

Getting to Barbados by sea is not as easy as it may at first seem. Although it is an island with two ports – Bridgetown harbour and Port St Charles – visitors will find that it is mostly cruise ships which sail to the island. It is possible to sail into the harbour by yacht although there can be difficulties. The sea around the island can be difficult for all but the most experienced sailors and there are many coral reefs which can make sailing into beaches dangerous. The trade winds can also cause problems.

The best time of the year to sail the Caribbean is between January and March when the water is calmer and there are fewer storms. On arrival at the port it is necessary to be inspected by customs and visitors will have to pay a fee for this. Anyone wishing to sail round Barbados must purchase a cruising permit and in order to do this it will be necessary to provide an itinerary of their intended travels.