The easiest way to get to the British Virgin Islands by air is to fly into the Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport on Beef Island (EIS), located near Tortola (BVI’s main island). This airport serves as a hub for most major airlines arriving from North America and Europe. Some travelers may find it easier to catch a connecting flight from San Juan, Puerto Rico, or St. Thomas in the USVI.
Once you arrive in the British Virgin Islands, you will typically use water transportation to reach your final destination—usually a ferry, charter boat, or water taxi. If you’re coming to The Aerial, BVI for an Elevate Summit or Deep Wellness Stay, you’ll typically fly to EIS Airport on Beef Island and take a 15-minute private boat transport to Buck Island from Tortola.
How to Get to the British Virgin Islands by Air
Working out the best British Virgin Islands flights for your journey depends on where you are coming from. According to the Development Planning Unit of the British Virgin Islands (and the guest book at our luxury wellness retreat), the top tourist arrivals by main markets to the British Virgin Islands come from the United States and Europe, which is why we’ll focus on these world regions when explaining how to get here.
In both cases, getting to the British Virgin Islands by air travel usually involves at least one connection in a hub airport in the Caribbean. Most big airline companies offer flights to hub airports that link to the BVI:
- San Juan, Puerto Rico (SJU) is a popular connection airport for U.S. travelers.
- St. Thomas, USVI (STT) offers a ferry service to Tortola.
- Antigua (ANU) is a popular connection point for U.K. travelers.
- St. Maarten (SXM) and Barbados (BGI) are popular connections for European travelers.
From there, many travelers will fly to the British Virgin Islands’ main airport hubs, which include:
- Terrance B. Lettsome Airport (EIS)
- Auguste George Airport, Anegada (NGD)
- Taddy Bay Airport, Virgin Gorda (VIJ)
Flights from Europe to the British Virgin Islands
The Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport (EIS) is the main airport serving the British Virgin Islands, and therefore the most convenient airport for travelers arriving from Europe. European travelers can choose from various airlines such as:
- British Airways
- Virgin Atlantic
- Lufthansa
- Air France
- Winair
Keep in mind that there are currently no direct flights from Europe to the British Virgin Islands and connecting flights are usually required. However, there are various ways to connect to nearby Caribbean islands by air. For example, flights to the British Virgin Islands are available via London, Paris, and Madrid to San Juan (SJU), Antigua (ANU), or St Maarten (SXM).
Likewise, travelers arriving from the U.K. may find it easiest to take a direct flight to the VC Bird International Airport in Antigua and Barbuda. Then, connecting flights to Tortola can be booked via Virgin Atlantic and British Virgin Airlines. Some European travelers will lay over in U.S. cities including Miami, Charlotte, or New York before journeying on to their final BVI destination.
Flights from the United States to the British Virgin Islands
If you’re coming to the British Virgin Islands from the United States, you will be happy to know that American Airlines now offers a nonstop flight service from Miami to Beef Island, Tortola. This short three-hour flight from Miami International Airport to the British Virgin Islands means that travelers will no longer have to connect through Puerto Rico or St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Additionally, several other popular airlines offer direct flights to connection hub airports that are very close to the British Virgin Islands. Generally, these airlines fly to San Juan, Puerto Rico (SJU) or St. Thomas (USVI), and include major airline carriers such as:
- American Airlines
- Delta Airlines
- United Airlines
- Jet Blue
- Continental Airlines
- US Airways
Flights from Canada to the British Virgin Islands must connect through another Caribbean airport and will often route through a major city in the United States. Once you arrive on a neighboring Caribbean island, there are plenty of regional airlines that operate flights to the BVI. Some of these regional airlines include:
- Cape Air
- Air Sunshine
- Leeward Islands Air (LIAT)
- Caribbean Airways
How to Find the Cheapest Flights to BVI
Finding cheap flights to the British Virgin Islands isn’t difficult, but it does take some legwork. The following are some of the simplest ways to find cheap flights to the BVI:
- Be flexible with your travel dates and search on different days of the week to find the best price.
- Look for connecting flights, as typically (but not always), flights with a layover can be cheaper. Likewise, you might be able to get a better deal on round-trip flights to the British Virgin Islands as opposed to one-way flights.
- Check airline websites directly, as many times airlines offer special deals and promotions that are not available on third-party booking sites.
- You can save money on flights by booking well in advance of your travel date.
When you book a stay at The Aerial, BVI or attend one of our Elevate Summits, we have a private travel concierge that can work with you to find the best travel options. From booking to arrival, we support you every step of the way.
Please note: In addition to keeping an eye on flights, be sure to check any travel documentation that’s required and find out whether you need a passport to travel to the British Virgin Islands, as this will need to be factored in when calculating the overall cost of your trip.
Enjoy Your Stay!
As you can see, finding flights to the British Virgin Islands is a relatively straightforward process. Once you have arrived in the British Virgin Islands, take advantage of inter-island travel by jumping on a ferry or reserving a private water taxi.
Once your tickets to the BVI are booked, make sure to find out whether or not you need a visa before traveling. Likewise, always make sure you sign up to receive any relevant travel alerts or notifications about your upcoming trip. From there, get ready for a vacation filled with fun, relaxation, and adventure!