Do I need cash for local taxis in British Virgin Islands or can pay by card?

Taxis in the British Virgin Islands are very traditional. They don’t take cards, they don’t use meters, and they certainly don’t run on Uber or anything like that. Drivers set fixed fares based on zones, and you’re expected to pay in US dollars. I was glad I carried plenty of cash before I boarded the ferry, because once you’re on the islands, it’s not as easy to find an ATM. My advice is to bring enough small bills for daily rides.

I found taxis in the British Virgin Islands straightforward but not modern. None of the cars I used accepted card payment, and drivers didn’t even seem aware of payment apps. US dollars worked everywhere, which made things simple, but you really need to bring cash. The bigger challenge is that fares are quite high compared to other Caribbean islands, so plan your budget accordingly. For visitors staying at resorts, some arrange transfers that can be prepaid by card, but regular taxis mean cash.

When I visited Tortola and Virgin Gorda, every single taxi driver asked for cash. There’s no culture of card payments with cabs there, even though restaurants and hotels take them without problem. The upside is that US dollars are standard, so you don’t need to think about currency exchange. I found it best to keep a stash of small bills, since giving a $50 note for a short ride was always awkward. Don’t expect payment apps or terminals-old-fashioned cash is the way to go.

From my experience, taxis in the British Virgin Islands are almost always cash-based. None of the drivers I used had card readers, and when I asked about apps, they just laughed and said cash only. US dollars are widely accepted, so it’s not complicated, but you’ll definitely need bills on hand. Fares can be pricey, especially on Tortola, and drivers rarely have much change, so carry smaller notes. If you’re booking private transfers through a hotel or charter company, you might be able to pay by card in advance, but roadside taxis are strictly cash.