Barbados is easiest to get to from the North American mainland. American Airlines, Air Canada and BWIA (based in Trinidad) operate services that connect Barbados to New York, Miami, Toronto and Montreal. BWIA also has flights to London, Frankfurt and Zurich, while British Airways just has flights to London. Within the Caribbean, LIAT operates daily flights between Barbados and Antigua, St Lucia, Grenada and St Vincent. BWIA also has flights between Barbados and several nearby islands. In season, a steel band and complimentary rum punch greet arriving passengers; an airport departure tax of B$25 is the island's kiss good-bye.

About 500,000 cruise ship passengers arrive in Bridgetown's harbor each year. There's a passenger/cargo boat linking Barbados with St Lucia, St Vincent, Trinidad and Venezuela. Because of Barbados' easterly position and challenging sailing conditions, it's well off the main track for most sailors and there's no local yacht charter industry.

The best and cheapest transport option on Barbados is the bus. There are three kinds of buses: government-operated public buses, which have the most extensive routes; a privately operated minibus system; and route taxis.

Renting a car is another good way of getting around. None of the island's many car rental agencies is affiliated with a major international rental chain, so just call to book a car and someone will swing by your hotel to pick you up. Temporary driving permits are required; they can be obtained for a small fee through your rental agency. In Barbados, you drive on the left.

Taxis are also available and fares are fixed by the government. However, vehicles are unmetered so establish a fare in advance, especially if you hire a taxi for a sightseeing tour. Bicycles can be rented in Hastings and Maxwell.

Barbados' Grantley Adams International Airport is on the island's southern coast, 16km (10mi) southeast of Bridgetown. Few car rental agencies have booths at the airport, but most will pick customers up. Otherwise travelers have a choice of catching a taxi to their destination or simply walking out onto the road and catching a local bus.