Grenada's public transport is a fleet of privately owned minibuses, each with a route number on the windscreen, a name painted across the front and, very often, music playing loudly inside. They are cheap, frequent on the main corridors and the way many Grenadians get to work, school and town. For visitors, they are also one of the most enjoyable ways to see daily island life up close.
They do not run to a printed timetable, there are no formal stops on many stretches, and the etiquette is not written down anywhere. Once you know how it works, though, the system is easy. This page explains the routes, how to stop a bus and get off, what fares to expect, and when the buses are and are not a good choice.
How the system is organised
Buses are licensed to run on numbered routes, and the number is displayed on the windscreen. Fares are set by the government by distance, so you should not be charged differently from local passengers. Each bus usually has a driver and a conductor, who calls out to people at the roadside, helps passengers on and off and collects fares. Smaller operations may have only the driver.
The hub for the main island is the Melville Street bus terminal in St George's, close to the Esplanade and the cruise ship terminal. Buses for different parts of the island leave from there, generally when they are full or nearly full rather than at fixed times. On the busiest routes, especially the run between St George's and Grand Anse, buses come every few minutes through the day.
Route 1, which links St George's with the Grand Anse area and on towards the south-western hotel districts, is the line most visitors use. Route 2 serves the direction of Woburn and the south-east coast. Other routes cover the west coast towards Gouyave and Sauteurs, the interior and the east coast to Grenville. Route numbering has been revised from time to time, so ask a conductor or your accommodation for the current number to your destination.
Catching a bus and getting off
The routine takes one trip to learn.
- Stand at the side of the road where the bus will pass, on the correct side for your direction of travel. On many roads there is no marked stop; any safe spot will do. Shelters exist along some busier stretches.
- When a bus with the right route number approaches, wave or hold out your hand. If it has space, it will stop. The conductor may call out the destination; check if unsure.
- Climb in and take whatever seat is free. Buses fill tightly, and passengers shuffle along or use fold-down seats. Small bags go on your lap.
- When you are near your stop, say "bus stop" clearly, or tell the conductor where you want to get off when you board, and they will call it for you. Some passengers tap on the roof or window.
- Pay as you leave, or when the conductor asks. Have the exact fare or small notes and coins in EC dollars ready.
What it costs
Fares are low. Short trips within the St George's and Grand Anse corridor have commonly cost around EC$2.50, about US$1. Longer journeys cost more by distance, with trips to places such as Gouyave, Grenville or Sauteurs typically still in single figures of EC dollars. Fares are reviewed by the authorities from time to time, so check with the conductor or a fellow passenger if you are unsure.
Pay in EC dollars wherever possible. Some conductors accept small US notes, but change will be in EC dollars and may be rounded. Large notes cause problems on a crowded bus; a few EC$5 and EC$10 notes and coins make life easier.
Compared with taxis, the saving is dramatic. A couple travelling between Grand Anse and St George's every day for a week could spend a few dollars a day on buses rather than paying a taxi fare each way. For longer days out, such as a trip to the west coast, the bus can cost less than a tenth of a taxi.
Etiquette and what to expect on board
Greet people. A simple "good morning" or "good afternoon" when boarding is normal and appreciated. Grenadians are generally courteous, and a greeting sets the tone.
Make room. Passengers squeeze up to fit more people in. If you have a large bag, offer to hold it on your lap, and be ready to move seats so someone can get out.
Music and speed. Many buses play music loudly, and some drivers move fast on the main roads. If the volume is a problem, it is acceptable to ask politely for it to be turned down, but expect it to be part of the experience.
Dress. Swimwear alone is not appropriate on a bus; cover up with a shirt and shorts or a wrap.
Valuables. As on any crowded transport, keep phones and wallets secure and bags closed, though buses are generally safe.
When buses work, and when they do not
Buses are excellent for the south-west corridor, for trips into St George's from Grand Anse or Morne Rouge, and for day trips along the main roads to towns such as Gouyave, Grenville and Sauteurs. They are good for travellers on a budget, solo visitors and anyone who enjoys watching daily life.
They are less suitable for places off the main roads, such as many waterfalls, estates and remote beaches, where you would face a long walk from the nearest bus route or need to arrange a taxi for the last stretch. Service thins out in the evening, and buses become scarce after dark on many routes, so plan to be back before sunset. Sundays and public holidays generally see fewer buses.
With heavy luggage, small children in car seats, or limited mobility, buses are hard work: the vans are compact, steps are high and seats tight. For those trips, taxis or a hire car make more sense.
A sample bus day: Grand Anse to Gouyave and back
A day on the buses shows how the system fits together. From the Grand Anse area, flag down a Route 1 bus heading into St George's; the ride takes around twenty minutes in normal traffic, longer at rush hour. Get off at or near the Melville Street terminal and look for buses heading up the west coast towards Gouyave and Sauteurs. Conductors call out destinations, so ask if you are unsure which van to board.
The west coast road runs past fishing villages, small bays and the hills of St John, with the sea on your left for much of the way. Gouyave, the main town of St John, is known for its fishing tradition and its nutmeg processing station, and is a good place to walk around for a couple of hours and find lunch. Tell the conductor where you want to stop, and pay on leaving.
For the return, flag down a bus heading south on the same road, or walk back to wherever buses gather in town. Aim to start back by mid-afternoon so that the change in St George's and the ride to Grand Anse happen well before dark. The whole day costs a few EC dollars per person in fares.
Common visitor mistakes on the buses
A few small errors account for most problems.
- Standing on the wrong side of the road and wondering why buses do not stop.
- Waiting for a bus late in the evening on a quiet route; plan the return before dark.
- Paying with a large note on a full bus and holding everyone up.
- Assuming every bus on a road goes to the same place; check the route number and ask.
- Not telling the conductor the destination, then missing the stop because no one knew to call it.
- Taking the bus to a remote attraction without checking how to get back.
- Boarding in wet swimwear straight from the beach; dry off and cover up first, out of courtesy to other passengers.
- Expecting air conditioning; windows are usually open, so keep a hat or light layer handy and protect hair and papers from the breeze.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a bus fare in Grenada?
Short trips in the St George's and Grand Anse area have commonly cost around EC$2.50, and longer journeys cost more by distance, typically still in single figures of EC dollars. Fares are set by the authorities and reviewed from time to time, so confirm with the conductor.
Where do buses leave from in St George's?
The main bus terminal is on Melville Street, near the Esplanade and the cruise ship terminal. Buses for different parts of the island depart from there, usually when they are full rather than at fixed times. On busy routes they can also be flagged down along the road.
Which bus goes from St George's to Grand Anse?
Route 1 links St George's with the Grand Anse area and continues towards the south-western hotel districts. It is the busiest route on the island, with buses every few minutes during the day. Check the number on the windscreen and confirm with the conductor.
Do Grenada buses run at night and on Sundays?
Service thins out in the evening and buses become scarce after dark on many routes. Sundays and public holidays also see reduced service. Plan to travel back before sunset, and use a taxi for evening outings.
How do passengers stop a Grenada minibus?
To board, wave from the roadside as a bus with the right route number approaches. To get off, say "bus stop" clearly, tap the roof, or tell the conductor your destination when boarding so it can be called. Pay as you leave.
