Guadeloupe Pole Caraibes Airport is 6 km north of Pointe-a-Pitre. Car rental agencies and a taxi stand are at the airport, and an airport bus runs about twice an hour to Pointe-a-Pitre on weekdays.
Guadeloupe has a decent public bus system running from early morning to early evening, with fairly frequent service on the main routes. On Sundays service drops off sharply and most secondary routes don't run at all. Taxis are plentiful but expensive. You'll find taxi stands at the airport, in Pointe-a-Pitre, and in Basse-Terre. Larger hotels often have taxis assigned to them.
Renting a car is the best way to explore Grande-Terre and Basse-Terre at your own pace. Several agencies have offices at the airport and in major resort areas. You drive on the right, and your home driver's license is valid. On the smaller islands — Terre-de-Haut and Marie-Galante — a scooter or bicycle is a better bet, since there are few cars on the road.
Getting between Guadeloupe and its outer islands is easiest by ferry. There's regular service between Pointe-a-Pitre and Les Saintes, Trois-Rivieres, and Marie-Galante. From Saint-Francois you can reach Marie-Galante and La Desirade. Air Guadeloupe also runs daily flights between Pointe-a-Pitre and Marie-Galante, La Desirade, and Terre-de-Haut — faster, but not necessarily more convenient.