Can I pay taxis in Antigua & Barbuda in cash?

I spent two weeks island-hopping between Antigua and Barbuda using taxis and the local public jitney. All transactions - even souvenir stall stops - were cash-only. Antigua taxi payment infrastructure is still low-tech, so even in bustling Old Road or Jolly Harbour, no cards. Have small bills ready (like $5-$10 XCD) because many drivers don’t keep change. If you show up with a $100 note, they’ll likely say no or walk away. Keeping change ready meant smoother rides and better local vibes.

I relied heavily on taxis at night and on Barbuda - always cash. Even when I pre-booked through my B&B, they confirmed the driver would only take XCD notes. Card payment for taxis in Antigua & Barbuda isn’t standard, and those few that accept it often add a 5-10% surcharge to cover fees. I found it smoother to use local buses during the day (just $4 XCD per ride) and save taxis - and cash - for evenings. Never ran out, and felt safer planning around a cash stash.

From my month working in Antigua, I can confirm: taxis are cash-based. Some bigger operators affiliated with hotels might take card, but street taxis won’t. They carry fixed fares - no haggling or meter. Preferably carry EC cash for Antigua taxis, especially for airport transfers which can be $50 XCD or more. I used ride-sharing apps like Flo - pickup payment is in-app, but tipping and luggage help requires cash. Being cash-ready saves hassle and limits delays when drivers get to Jamaican rum bar stops mid-route.

I grabbed several taxis in St. John’s and got the same story: cash only. Taxi payments in Antigua & Barbuda are almost always paid in Eastern Caribbean dollars (XCD), and drivers don’t have card machines. One guy said he had a satellite terminal, but it often "lost signal." I kept $100 XCD tucked away just for rides - much easier than running ATM errands between stops. If you’re staying off the beaten path on the sister island of Barbuda, taxi fares go up to $35-$50 XCD, and it's still cash-only.