Getting to the British Virgin Islands
Choose your arrival island, then confirm the connection to your hotel. An international arrival and an inter-island transfer are separate parts of the journey.
Ferry routes and operator timetables
Use the official directory to identify the carrier, then check its dated timetable and booking terms.
Find the relevant ferry operator
The terminal, island and travel date matter. The official BVI ferry directory links the operators; it is not a ticket or availability guarantee.
Confirm departure and return with the selected carrier.
Source: British Virgin Islands Tourist Board
💡Key Takeaways
- ✓EIS is on Beef Island, connected to Tortola by road.
- ✓Virgin Gorda has its own airport, VIJ. Confirm the service for your dates.
- ✓A route through St Thomas passes through the USVI and crosses into the BVI.
- ✓An arrival late in the day may not connect with your onward ferry.
- ✓Check entry requirements for your nationality and save arrival documents offline.
Arriving by air or through the USVI
| Plan | Via St Thomas / USVI | Via Beef Island / EIS |
|---|---|---|
| Entry formalities | Check US transit requirements as well as BVI entry. | Check BVI entry requirements and your airline itinerary. |
| Onward travel | Identify the actual departure terminal and BVI arrival port. | Arrange the road transfer on Tortola or a separate island connection. |
| Connections | Match flight arrival, taxi and the dated ferry departure. | Confirm the airline connection and hotel transfer. |
| Luggage | Check the ferry allowance separately from the airline allowance. | Check each airline and onward carrier separately. |
Routes and connections
From Beef Island / EIS to Tortola
BVI arrival
Flight plus road transfer
Airline itinerary
Arrive at EIS and connect by road to your Tortola accommodation. Plan a separate transfer if your overnight island is elsewhere.
Before booking
Confirm hotel destination and transfer inclusions.
From St Thomas / USVI to the BVI
International crossing
Flight, taxi and ferry
Dated carrier timetable
Identify the St Thomas departure terminal and the BVI arrival port before matching connections. USVI and BVI are different territories.
Before booking
Check both US transit and BVI entry formalities.
Inter-island planning
From Tortola to Virgin Gorda
Inter-island transfer
Match the actual terminal and the onward journey from arrival port to hotel. North Sound is not the same destination as Spanish Town.
Practical transfer checks
Keep the full route together, from arrival airport or port to the island where you will sleep.
Separate the islands
A Tortola hotel and a Virgin Gorda hotel require different onward arrangements. Read the property’s actual arrival instructions.
Keep a margin
Leave time for border formalities, luggage and terminal transfers. A scheduled arrival is not a guarantee of making the next boat.
Check the return
Plan the last island transfer before the international flight, with room for disruption.
Airports serving your island stay
The Tourist Board lists Terrence B. Lettsome (EIS), Taddy Bay (VIJ) and Auguste George (NGD). Routes and operating days must be checked with the airline.
Terrence B. Lettsome Airport — EIS
Official BVI arrival information🚌 Beef Island to Tortola
EIS is on Beef Island. Arrange a taxi or the transfer agreed with your accommodation; confirm whether it is included in your room offer.
For a different island, confirm an onward boat or flight before booking a late arrival.
Taddy Bay Airport — VIJ
Official BVI arrival information🚕 Arriving on Virgin Gorda
Check the airline service and the transfer from VIJ to your accommodation. A North Sound property may require a separate boat transfer.
Do not assume a service operates every day or that an airport transfer is included.
Documents, luggage and disruption
Entry and fees
Check official immigration and customs requirements for your nationality and route. Confirm applicable charges rather than relying on an undated estimate.
Carrier luggage rules
Check allowances, handling and any baggage charge on every flight or ferry. Keep travel documents available during border formalities.
Weather and cancellations
Follow carrier notices and official BVI advisories. Sea conditions can change a planned route; read cancellation and replacement arrangements.
Getting around after arrival
Arrange local transport for the island where you are staying. Tortola’s roads and a Virgin Gorda boat connection are different journeys.
The activities in this selection start on Tortola. A stay on Virgin Gorda needs a verified transfer before joining them.
Check meeting point, hotel pickup and the return independently. Do not assume pickup is included simply because the tour name mentions Tortola.
