Cockburn Town Grand Turk Intl Airport (GDT) Flights & Information

If you’re flying into Grand Turk in Turks and Caicos, you’ll be arriving at JAGS McCartney International Airport (GDT) – also known as Grand Turk International Airport – about a mile south of Cockburn Town, the island’s main settlement. Grand Turk is the largest islands of the Turks archipelagos, but the airport is rather small with mainly domestic flights from neighboring islands.

Named for the first Chief Minister of the islands, JAGS McCartney International Airport is compact and easy to use thanks to the fact that most planes serving the island are small propellor aircraft. Here’s what you’ll find when you visit, along with expert tips to improve your experience at GDT.

Terminal and layout

The single terminal at JAGS McCartney International Airport is small with everything in one building – check-in, security, baggage claim and arrivals. It’s very chilled out and very easy to navigate.

Do be aware, though, that since this is the Caribbean, the occasional storm may well mean that your arrivals and departures are delayed, especially since the planes are fairly small. Safety is the number one priority, so this is one of those situations where you just have to go with the flow and leave yourself plenty of time between any connecting flights.

As such, Grand Turk is one of those destinations where I’d advise against buying self-connecting tickets – in other words, booking multiple separate tickets, which means you don’t have the kind of protected connection where the airline is required to put you on the next flight if your first flight is delayed or canceled. You definitely want any missed connections to be on the airline’s dime to solve, rather than your own.

Don’t miss the replica of the Friendship 7 space capsule outside the terminal. Back in 1962, the first crewed US spaceflight mission splashed down nearby with astronaut John Glenn on board, and Grand Turk was where he first stepped back onto Earth. It’s a great nod to an important piece of human history.

Arriving at JAGS McCartney International Airport

If you’re taking a scheduled flight from another country, you’re likely to be arriving on either Caicos Express Airways or InterCaribbean Airways as a domestic Turks and Caicos flight from Providenciales Airport on the island of the same name. If you’re island-hopping, however, you might well be arriving from South Caicos Airport (where flights are almost daily) or from Salt Cay (where there are a few flights per week).

In peak season, there are occasional charter flights from other airports in North America, so do keep an eye out. Grand Turk’s runway is surprisingly long enough to take a normal mainline airplane like a Boeing 737 or Airbus A320. Bear in mind, though, that if you’re on one of these then the arrivals process might take a little longer.

For most flights, your plane is likely to be a small propeller plane with under 30 people on board, so the arrivals process is likely to be pretty quick and easy, especially since you’ll be arriving on a domestic flight.

You’ll walk off the plane onto the tarmac and straight into the baggage claim area to retrieve your bags. In the event that your bag is gate checked before leaving your departure airport, make sure you ask where you should retrieve it – sometimes these bags are loaded into the main luggage hold with everything else, and sometimes they’re put into a separate compartment and unloaded right next to the plane.

Rental cars at GDT

Since there’s no public transportation to and from Grand Turk Airport, a good option can be to drive yourself, especially if you’re planning to explore the island. Rental cars are available and I’d definitely recommend booking ahead. Unlike some other Caribbean islands, roads tend to be pretty good on Grand Turk, so you won’t need a 4 x 4 or jeep style of vehicle.

The most numerous options on Grand Turk are the compact cars of the sort found in Europe or Japan, and don’t forget that, as a British Overseas Territory, people drive on the left side of the road on this island. If you prefer a larger car of the kind of size you’d find in the US and Canada, it’s best to discuss that with the rental car company well in advance.

How to get to and from JAGS McCartney International Airport by car

If you’re heading to a hotel, check in advance if they can send a car to pick you up – this can be a relaxing way to start your vacation. Alternatively, taxis are usually plentiful at the airport, though if you have a large party or a lot of luggage you might want to prebook. If your arrival time coincides with a large cruise ship arriving to port, taxis might be a little scarce.

Prices tend to be pretty inexpensive in international terms, but you’ll want to make sure that you agree on a fare before setting off – and make sure that it’s clear whether the price is per passenger or for the total group in the vehicle.

Check-in times, departures and baggage limits at Grand Turk

InterCaribbean Airways has an online check-in option that opens 36 hours in advance of your scheduled departure time. The airport check-in desks for the airline open 2.5 hours before departure, and domestic flights close for check-in and bag drop 30 minutes before the flight is scheduled to leave. If you’re on an international flight, the flight closes 60 minutes prior to departure.

Caicos Express Airways doesn’t offer online check-in and its domestic airport check-in desks open 1 hour before scheduled departure time, with check-in on these flights closing 30 minutes before flight departure. If you’re on an international flight, desks open 3 hours prior to departure and close 1 hour before.

For all other airlines and destinations, definitely check the specific time requirements in advance. Once you’re in the airport, most flights head to Providenciales, so keep an eye out for signs and announcements referring to “Provo,” as the locals call it.

Since most flights departing Grand Turk are on small propeller-driven airplanes, you’ll want to be mindful of the amount and size of the baggage that you bring onboard. Carry-on size is likely to be restricted, and with the smaller planes it might not fit into the cabin even if it did on the first flight of your connecting journey.

Excess baggage charges can be quite high and are usually even more so at the airport, so definitely double-check what’s allowed with your ticket and weigh your bag at home if you’re in the least bit unsure. If you’re carrying anything of an unusual shape or size, such as fishing equipment, surfboards or something similar, check in advance with your airline and make sure you pack it safely and securely.

Note that some of the planes flying to and from Grand Turk are small enough that their seats are in a 1 x 2 or even a 1 x 1 layout. This can be challenging if you’re traveling with kids, especially if they’re at the age where they just love to squirm about. In that case, I recommend calling your airline in advance and asking what accommodations are available.

JAGS McCartney International Airport security lines and procedures

Since the planes are small, the security lines at Grand Turk tend to be small as well. There’s no fast-track or pre-check system here, and to be perfectly honest it’s usually not very busy so you don’t really need one anyway.

The Turks and Caicos airport security operates under the usual international liquid restrictions policy where all pastes, liquids, gels and aerosols in your carry-on must be in containers no larger than 100 milliliters (3.4 fluid ounces) each and must all fit into a resealable 1-liter bag (a bit bigger than a quart) to go through security.

Dining and free Wi-Fi at GDT

There’s free Wi-Fi available for customers at the Cockpit Lounge restaurant outside the security checkpoint, which also offers pretty decent grub if you want to fuel up in advance of your departure or if you’re absolutely starving after you arrive.

Since the airport is so small, there’s no lounge. If it looks busy – for example if there are flight delays or several flights all departing at around the same time – you might find it more comfortable to soak up a little bit of sun outside the airport or relax at the restaurant rather than going through security right away.