One of the Atlantic Ocean's most remote destinations just became dramatically more accessible—but there's a catch that could derail your entire trip if you're not prepared.
<h3>The Island Time Forgot (Until 2017)</h3>
Saint Helena, the British Overseas Territory where Napoleon died in exile, remained isolated for centuries with only a few supply vessels per year. Then an airport opened in 2017, and weekly Airlink flights from Johannesburg (with a refuel stop in Walvis Bay, Namibia) began connecting the island to the world.
A recent traveler spent three days exploring the island's unique blend of colonial history, extreme remoteness, and quirky logistics that make it unlike anywhere else.
<h3>The No-ATM Problem</h3>
Here's the catch that could ruin your trip: there are no ATMs on Saint Helena.
You must bring GBP cash. The Bank of St Helena can do credit card cash withdrawals, but if you arrive on a Saturday (when the weekly flight lands), the bank won't open until Monday—and you need 20 GBP cash just to pay the arrival fee at the airport.
The workaround? The Bank of St. Helena offers a Tourist Card app where you can pre-load money and pay via QR code at many stores and restaurants. You can unload remaining funds after departure. Loading and unloading was reportedly quick, though the app requires data or wifi to display the QR code (pro tip: screenshot it).
Prices weren't unreasonable considering the 1,200-mile distance from the nearest continent: meals ran £10-13, water and sodas £0.70-£1.10.
<h3>What's Actually There</h3>
Jacob's Ladder: A 699-step staircase climbs steeply from town to the old fort on the clifftop. One traveler in "roundish" shape took an hour with lots of stops. Fitter companions did it in 15 minutes. The museum sells certificates of completion for £3.
Napoleon's Exile: Longwood House, where Napoleon lived until his 1821 death, and his original gravesite (remains moved to Paris in 1840) are both owned by the French government. Entry is £12 cash-only and includes both sites. Open Monday-Friday only, 11am-1pm for Longwood.
