Transportation

1. Air

Flights are the principal way of going in and around the island. The Turks and Caicos Islands have three international airports namely:

? Grand Turk

? Providenciales

? South Caicos

The closest American airport is the Miami international Airport (MIA) and there are regular jet flights to the islands that can transport tourists there in less than ninety minutes. American Airways and US Airways have daily flights to Providenciales from various destinations. SkyKing flies twice daily from Fort Lauderdale to Providenciales and back. Delta flies from Atlanta to Providenciales five days a week.

International airline such as British Airways, Air Canada, Air Jamaica and Bahama Air also serve the islands, although their flights are restricted to only a few times a week. Besides several air charters and privates planes are also available to reach the islands. SkyKing even runs international flights from Puerto Plata and Cap Haitien to Turks and Caicos.

The domestic airlines are a great way to travel from one island to another in Turks and Caicos.

Air Turks & Caicos

They provide domestic flights to different parts of the islands as well as charters to parts of the Caribbean.

Tel: (649) 946-4181

Global Airways Charter

This is an air charter service operating between Providenciales, Pine Cay, North Caicos and Salt Cay as well as to other parts of the Caribbean.

Tel: (649) 941-3222 - Providenciales

(649) 946-7093 - North Caicos

Turks & Caicos Airways

This is the islands' official carrier airlines.

Tel: (649) 946-4255

2. Bus

The tourists' bus operating in the Providenciales is: for an unknown reason called ‘The Gecko'. It routes between Grace Bay and Turtles Cove and is an inexpensive way to travel. Each token costs about $4 whereas a day's pass comes at $11. Group passes for families and reduced rates for children as well as long-term passes are also available.

The public bus service is a little less reliable and to avail it, people have to stop big red buses referred to, as ‘Jitneys'. The cost for traveling on these are variable and are determined by the driver.

3. Car

Anyone with a valid native driver's license can rent and drive a car in Turks and Caicos. Nonetheless, the minimum age to drive around on the islands is 21 years.

Rental cars cost approximately between $55 and $80 a day with an additional $15 rental tax that is applicable on the islands. As per convention, everyone must drive on the left hand side of the road. The newer highways are pretty smooth but the old roads and country paths are still quite a challenge and people need to be careful around them. The maximum speed limit of the islands is 40 mph although the towns prefer 20 mph.

Driving around is a great way to explore the islands independently.

4. Ferry

It is generally assumed that if there is a lot of water around a place, it will have an immaculate ferry system. It seems however, that Turks and Caicos Islands have heard of no such thing. The ferry services of the few and sporadic and few can predict when the ferries leave or where they are headed.

For on-the-minute ferry information head to the Leeward-Going-Through marina on Providenciales where many locals catch rides to the other islands.

5. Ship

Not many cruise ships make their way to the Turks and Caicos Islands and those that do generally circle the area rather than drop anchor there.

On the islands however, chartering yachts and sailboats for a trip around the cays and islands, is relatively easy. The cost of the charter depends on the type of vessel and time period it is rented out for. Charters can be of bareboats or of a vessel with a skipper and crew. Approximate rates vary between $80 and $150 per day. There is no regulation of costs and skippers can charge as they please.

6. Taxi

A variety of vehicles operate as taxis on the islands. The way to recognize them is through the white color and ‘taxi' sign imprinted on them. These are the most efficient and relatively cost effective ways to get around the islands. Some taxi drivers might even agree to be your island guides for the day at special rates.