Caribbean and trains?
That might not be the first combo that comes to mind, but it’s true — you don’t have to hop aboard a boat or waaaay overpay for one of those touristy helicopters offering the same views from a plane’s window seat to experience unmatched views in paradise.
Around for well over a century, one of the Caribbean’s trendiest islands should be even trendier if only travelers knew of this bucket-list excursion.
Built in the 1910’s to transport sugar cane, this historic ride has stood the test of time as not only a storied marker, but a thrilling journey to immerse in the tropics.
As more travelers embrace slow travel in general and venture deep into Caribbean territory, edging closer to South America by the year, next time you’re scoping out the usual mainstays, consider St. Kitts & Nevis, a country we’ve reported its surprising surge in popularity for its magnetic culture, authenticity, and seemingly untouched shores.
So, when you narrow down your options for your next beach vacay, there’s no doubt this lesser-known island nation has one leg up on hotspots like Punta Cana and Montego Bay.
The St. Kitts Scenic Railway lets travelers circle the island by rail, trading packed swim-up bars for open-air views of volcanic slopes, breezy coastline, and map-dot villages aboard the “Last Railway in the West Indies”.
The Caribbean’s Most Unique Experience
Forget swimming with dolphins and sunset cruises — an adventure you’ll always remember that doesn’t cost a fortune is St. Kitts virtually unspoken train.
Of course, locals know about it, but St. Kitts has only been rapidly growing in tourism for the last year or so.
That said, as more vacationers seek sun and sand without the same-o, same-o experiences, this dual-island next door to Anguilla and Montserrat is the perfect starting point.
Here’s a detailed rundown of what to expect aboard one of the Caribbean’s best-kept secrets:
- The full journey lasts approximately 3 hours
- The route makes a 30-mile circle around St. Kitts only (not Nevis)
- The train chugs ‘n hugs the island’s coastline, offering views of the shimmering ocean, lush rainforest, sprawling farmland, volcanic peaks, and neighboring Caribbean islands in the distance
- Mount Liamuiga is one of the key nature highlights, rising above the island’s thicketed rainforest
- The route passes near notable historic sites, including Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, along with historic sugar plantations tied to St. Kitts’ bygone era that cued the need for the train in the first place
- The train uses bi-level rail cars with an open-air upper deck for 360-degree views and a lower-level air-conditioned parlor with large windows, cushioned seating, tables, a service bar, and restrooms
- Free refreshments are included, including rum punch and frozen daiquiris.
- On-board entertainment includes narration by Kittitian tour directors, an acappella performance by the St. Kitts Railway Choir, and cultural dance routines
There is one caveat, however…
Yes, you will have the opportunity to venture all 30 miles, but only 18 of those miles are by rail.
At some point, you will be escorted to a sightseeing shuttle for the remaining 12 miles.
In other words, expect about 2 hours on the train, and another 45 minutes or so on the bus, so we recommend soaking up your complimentary drinks and other perks beforehand.
Pricing:
Expedia suggests prices are in the $150s for tickets (with transportation).
However, as you’ve come to expect from the Travel Off Path team, we did some digging, and it didn’t take long to find in our own data that you can book your tickets as low as $124 — along with plenty of other island adventures, from catamarans and rainforest hikes to mini speed boats!
St. Kitts may be the perfect spot for kicking back seaside to recharge, but it’s dually built for thrill-seekers.
Permission For Paradise: Make Sure You Dot Your I’s & Cross Your T’s
St. Kitts & Nevis may be trendy, but it has one blemish as awesome as it is to vacation here: bureaucracy.
Womp, womp…
That’s right — you will want to double check entry requirements before going all in.
Last year, this increasingly popular beach getaway began requiring an ETA — yep, even for Americans.
Travelers will need to follow these 5 simple steps:
- Visit www.knatravelform.kn or download the ‘St Kitts and Nevis e-Border’ app on their devices, available on iOS and Android
- Fill out the digital form, providing all the requested info
- Upload all the relevant documents pertaining to your travel, as indicated
- Pay the ETA fee (expect around $17)
How Safe Is St. Kitts & Nevis?
Let’s be honest — when you’re sightseeing by train or bus, you don’t have to worry about safety all that much in the hands of professional guides.
Since the train/bus combo only takes up a few hours of your day, you’ll likely want to know you don’t need to keep your head on a swivel, as many cruisers wander both islands, in particular.
Our very own Safety Index currently holds a strong 85/100 score as ranked by fellow travelers like you and me in real-time:
Piggybacking off our Safety Index, the U.S. State Department last advisory from 2024 proves travelers nailed it, designating St. Kitts & Nevis as “Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions“, the lowest possible designation.
