Grenada Airport Car Rental: Pick Up at GND & Drive Away
Maurice Bishop International Airport (GND) has car rental desks inside arrivals. You can be on the road in under 30 minutes — once you have your EC$30 local permit in hand. Here's exactly what to expect, what it costs, and when a taxi is actually the smarter call.
The short answer
Renting a car at Maurice Bishop International Airport (GND) in Grenada, West Indies costs USD $40–110 per day before tax. Operators issue your mandatory EC$30 local permit on the spot. Grand Anse beach hotels are 10–15 minutes away; True Blue and SGU campus are just 5 minutes. Add 15% G-VAT and any after-hours fee if you land after 6 pm.
Which vehicle class to pick up at GND
Your choice at the airport desk comes down to three real categories. Here's what each gets you on Grenada's roads — and where each one runs out of road.
Economy compact (Suzuki Alto / Hyundai i10 class)
Best for beach staysCovers everything a typical 7–14-day beach holiday needs: Grand Anse strip, St George's Carenage, the rum distillery, and the chocolate tour. Paved coastal roads are fine for a compact. Where it struggles: the steep switchback tracks to Concord Falls or Seven Sisters — you'll feel the engine protest and the clearance shrink. If waterfalls are on your list, go up a class.
Local tip: Ask specifically for the most recently registered compact at the desk — GND rental fleets vary in age and newer cars handle the Grenada humidity better. A quick check of the dash AC vent strength before you sign saves a sweaty week.
Mid-size sedan or small SUV
Most versatile pickThe sweet spot for a couple or small family doing a genuine island-wide itinerary. Enough clearance for the Grand Etang road, the Belmont Estate turn-off, and most secondary roads. Won't tackle the worst waterfall tracks without complaint, but handles 90% of tourist destinations without drama. If you want automatic, this class has the most available — still book 2–3 weeks ahead.
Local tip: A mid-size SUV in Grenada is often the same vehicle as a 'small SUV' in Europe — wheelbase roughly matching a Kia Sportage. Don't expect North American truck dimensions. The advantage is it actually fits in Grenada's narrow one-lane sections.
4×4 / Jeep Wrangler class
Waterfall & interior runsThe right tool if your itinerary includes Concord, Seven Sisters, or Royal Mt. Carmel Falls — roads that are narrow, potholed, and steep enough to require real ground clearance. Also earns its keep on the north-coast back roads toward Sauteurs and Levera Beach. For pure beach-and-capital trips, it's overkill and costs you USD $25–55 more per day than a compact.
Local tip: The open-top Jeep looks great on Instagram but Grand Etang gets legitimate downpours mid-afternoon — if a convertible/soft-top is what's available and it's rainy season (June–November), make sure you know how to close it before you leave the airport lot.
Automatic — the limited exception
Book 2–3 weeks aheadGrenada's rental fleet is overwhelmingly manual transmission. Automatics exist — there are probably fewer than 10 on the whole island across all operators — and they carry a daily premium. If you genuinely need one (medical reason, unfamiliar with manual on left-hand-drive roads), call ahead and confirm a specific vehicle in writing. Do not assume 'automatic available' from a website without a live confirmation.
Local tip: If you're comfortable with manual at home, Grenada's roads will teach you left-hand driving faster than an automatic would — less cognitive load splitting between gear and mirror on a quiet island than in city traffic. Most first-timers adapt by day two.
Full cost breakdown: what airport rental actually costs
The daily rate on a booking site is never the final number. Run through this table before you decide whether a car or a series of taxis makes more financial sense for your stay.
| Cost item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Economy compact (daily) | USD $40–55 | Manual; most common class at GND desks |
| Mid-size sedan / small SUV (daily) | USD $55–75 | Best availability for automatics |
| 4×4 / Jeep class (daily) | USD $80–110 | Needed for interior waterfall roads |
| Local driver's permit (one-time) | EC$30 / ~USD $12 | Mandatory; issued at the rental desk, valid 3 months |
| G-VAT (Grenada VAT) | 15% on rental total | Applied to daily rate × number of days |
| CDW insurance (daily) | USD $15–25 | Sometimes bundled; always confirm before signing |
| Security deposit / hold | USD $500–1,000 | Credit card authorisation, released on return |
| After-hours airport pickup | +USD $20–35 | Applies when desk is unstaffed — most evenings after 6–7 pm |
| Cross-island delivery (Grand Anse, True Blue) | Often free | Outlying north-coast areas: USD $20–40 extra |
Rates compiled June 2026 across local Grenada operators. Add 15% G-VAT and the EC$30 local permit on top of any advertised daily rate.
How airport car rental actually works at GND
Maurice Bishop International is a small, single-terminal airport. The rental process is straightforward once you know the sequence — but there are two steps that catch first-timers.
Land, clear customs, collect bags
GND handles most international arrivals in the late afternoon to evening window — the last scheduled commercial arrival is typically around 8–9 pm. Immigration and baggage claim are compact; you're usually through in 20–40 minutes. Keep your passport handy — you'll need it at the rental desk.
Find the rental desk inside arrivals
Operators have desks or representatives in the arrivals hall. If no desk is staffed — common on late-evening arrivals — look for a contact number posted at the desk or pre-arranged by your operator. This is the moment after-hours fees (USD $20–35) kick in, and some operators require 48-hour advance notice for after-hours collection.
Get your EC$30 local permit issued on the spot
Your home licence alone is not legal for driving in Grenada. The rental agent issues the mandatory local driver's permit (EC$30, roughly USD $12) right at the desk — bring EC$ cash or confirm the operator accepts USD or card for this fee. The permit is valid for 3 months. Police checkpoints along the main roads do check for it.
Inspect the car before you drive off the lot
Walk the vehicle with the agent and confirm every existing scratch, dent, and scrape is noted on the damage form before you sign. GND's lot is well-lit in the evening; don't skip this step because you're tired from travel. Take dated photos with your phone of every panel. This is your only protection against deposit disputes on return.
Set your navigation for left-hand driving before you leave the lot
Grenada drives on the left. The airport exit road is straightforward, but the first junction often catches first-timers who instinctively pull right. Load your maps app, set audio guidance, and do a deliberate mental check before pulling out: keep left, mirrors right. Grand Anse is 10–15 minutes south-west; True Blue is 5 minutes east.
Four things the booking sites won't tell you
The after-hours fee can wipe out your first night's savings vs a taxi
A taxi from GND to Grand Anse costs roughly the equivalent of a short-haul fare — and zero paperwork at midnight. If you're arriving on a late flight, staying 3 nights or fewer, and only need the car for day trips, run the numbers: USD $20–35 after-hours fee + USD $12 permit + USD $40–55 day rate + 15% VAT on day one can easily exceed the cost of taxis for the same activities. A rental only breaks even on a short stay if you're driving every day.
Fuel up before returning — the airport has no on-site petrol station
There is no petrol station at or immediately adjacent to the airport. The nearest stations are in True Blue (5 min) and heading toward Grand Anse. Operators charge a premium for fuel shortfalls on return — and the 'full tank' clause is enforced literally. Fill up at True Blue or Lance Aux Epines on your way back, not at the last minute in town.
Book your automatic in writing, not just on a website
The island has fewer than 10 automatic-transmission rentals in total. Operators sometimes list 'automatic available' online as a category rather than a specific confirmed vehicle. If you need automatic, call the operator, confirm the registration number or at minimum the make and model, and get a confirmation email. Showing up to GND on an evening flight to find only manuals available is a real scenario.
The deposit hold blocks more of your card than you expect
Operators place a USD $500–1,000 authorisation hold on your credit card at pickup — not a charge, but it reduces your available credit for the full rental period. On a 10-day trip, that's USD $500–1,000 tied up alongside your daily charges. Debit cards are often refused entirely for the deposit. Bring a credit card with sufficient headroom, separate from the card you'll use for daily spending.
Documents to bring to the rental desk
Missing any of these means no keys. Pack them in your carry-on, not your checked bag.
- Valid passport (required by most operators alongside a driving licence)
- Home country driving licence — full, clean, not provisional
- Credit card in the primary driver's name for the deposit hold (USD $500–1,000 authorisation)
- EC$30 in cash or USD equivalent for the local permit (some operators accept card — confirm ahead)
- Booking confirmation or reservation number
- Return flight details (operators sometimes ask for departure date)
Frequently asked questions
Can I rent a car directly at Grenada's airport?
Yes — Maurice Bishop International Airport (GND) in Grenada, West Indies has car rental operators with desks or representatives in the arrivals hall. You can pick up on arrival, though after-hours pickups (most evenings after 6–7 pm) carry a USD $20–35 surcharge and may require 48-hour advance notice. Book before you fly to guarantee vehicle availability.
How much does it cost to rent a car at Grenada airport?
Budget USD $40–55/day for an economy compact, USD $55–75 for a mid-size, and USD $80–110 for a 4×4 — all before tax. Add 15% G-VAT on the total rental, the EC$30 (~USD $12) one-time local permit, CDW insurance (USD $15–25/day if not bundled), and any after-hours pickup fee. A USD $500–1,000 deposit hold also goes on your credit card.
Do I need a special licence to drive in Grenada?
Yes. Your home driving licence alone is not sufficient. You must also hold a local Grenada driver's permit (EC$30, ~USD $12), which the rental operator issues at the desk when you show your home licence and passport. The permit is valid for 3 months. Police run checkpoints on the main roads and do enforce this requirement.
How far is the airport from Grand Anse beach?
Maurice Bishop International Airport (GND) is approximately 10–15 minutes by car from Grand Anse — the main tourist beach strip and hotel corridor. True Blue and SGU campus are about 5 minutes east of the airport. St George's capital is 15–20 minutes away. Traffic is light except around school hours in the late afternoon.
Is it better to rent a car at the airport or get a taxi in Grenada?
For stays of 7 days or more with daily driving, a rental is almost always cheaper than daily taxis. For 3 nights or fewer on a late-evening arrival, a taxi can beat a rental when you factor in the after-hours pickup fee (USD $20–35), the permit (USD $12), VAT, and deposit paperwork at midnight. Run the numbers for your specific itinerary.
Is automatic available at Grenada airport car rental?
Automatics exist but are extremely limited — the entire island has roughly 5–10 automatic vehicles across all operators. They cost USD $10–20/day more than the manual equivalent and must be reserved in advance, ideally 2–3 weeks before arrival. Never assume a website listing 'automatic available' means a specific vehicle is confirmed without a written reservation.
What side of the road do you drive on in Grenada?
Left. Grenada is a former British colony and drives on the left-hand side. Steering wheels are on the right in most rental vehicles. The airport exit road is forgiving for new arrivals, but load navigation with audio guidance before you pull out — the first instinct to pull right at a junction is the commonest mistake on day one.
Plan your first days after landing
Car in hand, here's what most visitors set up in their first 48 hours. All bookable through local providers on KonnectWI.
Rental operators at GND and nearby
Compare airport pickup providers — book before your flight lands