Bahamas Transportation: Getting Around Guide Bahamas
How to Get Around the Bahamas
Visitors can explore by car bus golf cart water taxi ferry bike or scooter
kdow Car rentals
For day-to-day use, a car is not essential, but consider renting one if you are staying in a vacation rental home far from the tourist zones and if you want to explore the local parts of town on your own. Be aware that Bahamians drive on the left, and watch out for potholes (lots of them!). American rental companies are offer cars at the Nassau airport. In the Out Islands, where options are limited, your hotel is the best resource to find a local rental agency. Ways to save: You can save on rental rates with a local company like Virgo Car Rental. Bahamas Travel Guide
Golf carts
Rented golf carts are a fun and easy way to get around many of the Out Islands, especially Bimini, Harbour Island, the Abacos (Green Turtle Cay, Elbow Cay, Treasure Cay, Guana Cay), Spanish Wells and Staniel Cay, Exuma. Your hotel can help you secure one Buses
Public transport is often spotty at best. Buses in Nassau, called “jitneys” by locals, are noisy and sometimes dingy. To travel within the tourist zone from downtown to Cable Beach, flag down a No. 10 or 10a bus whenever or wherever you see one approaching. To get off the bus, call out, “Bus stop!” The driver collects the $1.25 fare as you leave (exact change required). There are no public buses in the Out Islands. Taxis br
The formal way to hail a cab in Nassau or Freeport is at a taxi stand, located outside large hotels, popular restaurants and major attractions. You can also call an individual cab for pickup, which is the only way it’s done in the Out Islands. Consult your Out Island hotel for recommended companies, and get advice on negotiating fares. In Nassau, forget about figuring out zone rates — they are complicated — and don’t expect to see meters either. Instead, negotiate the rate at the start of the trip. Courteous Transfers and Tours provides taxis for disabled/handicapped passengers, and Majestic Tours has wheelchair-accessible vans. Ways to save: Taxi drivers are all independent operators, so ask the driver for his name and number and hold on to it. If you use the same taxi repeatedly, you can negotiate a lower rate. Ferries Water taxis
Water taxis and ferries offer a handy, inexpensive way to get around. Jump on the for just $3 to go from Paradise Island to downtown Nassau. will get you from mainland Great Abaco to the many nearby cays. With rates starting at $12, Elvis Water Taxi has several stops within Elizabeth Harbour, Great Exuma. A free, twice-daily ferry connects Acklins, Crooked Island and Long Cay. To get from the international airport on South Bimini, hop on a to the resort town. Bike Scooter rentals br
The Bahamas doesn’t have bike lanes, and drivers don’t defer to riders. So cycle only as a tour activity or to explore the Out Islands, where many hotels provide complimentary bikes or rent them for a nominal fee. and serve Nassau/Paradise Island. Accessibility br
While the Bahamas has disability laws (enacted only in 2014), they are not always enforced and not all businesses comply. Sidewalks in Nassau, for example, are littered with potholes, especially downtown — a challenge for those in wheelchairs or using walkers or canes. This is less true on Paradise Island and around Nassau’s Cable Beach. Most medium and large hotels provide accessibility ramps and other handicap amenities. The cruise port in Nassau has a from the dock to the cruise terminal. The and the may be able to provide more accessibility information. AARP Travel Center Call: 1.800.675.4318 Search Flights Enter a valid location Enter a valid location Enter a valid date Enter a valid date Child under 2 must either sit in laps or in seats: search Enter a valid location Enter a valid location Enter a valid date Child under 2 must either sit in laps or in seats: search Enter a valid location Enter a valid location Enter a valid date Child under 2 must either sit in laps or in seats: Flight 2 Enter a valid location Enter a valid location Enter a valid date Flight 3 Enter a valid location Enter a valid location Enter a valid date Flight 4 Enter a valid location Enter a valid location Enter a valid date Flight 5 Enter a valid location Enter a valid location Enter a valid date Add Another Flight search Search Hotels Enter a valid location Enter a valid date Enter a valid date Room 1 Room 2 Room 3 Room 4 Room 5 Room 6 Room 7 Room 8 search Search Packages Enter a valid location Enter a valid location Enter a valid date Enter a valid date You didn't specify child's age Child under 2 must either sit in laps or in seats: Room 1 There are children in rooms without an adult You didn't specify child's age You didn't specify child's age Room 2 There are children in rooms without an adult You didn't specify child's age You didn't specify child's age Room 3 There are children in rooms without an adult You didn't specify child's age You didn't specify child's age Room 4 There are children in rooms without an adult You didn't specify child's age You didn't specify child's age Room 5 There are children in rooms without an adult You didn't specify child's age You didn't specify child's age You have more than 6 people total Please select a trip duration less than 28 days search Search Cars Enter a valid location Enter a valid location Enter a valid date Enter a valid date search Search Cruises Select a valid location Select a month search Search Things to Do Enter a valid location Enter a valid date Enter a valid date search × Let's Go Reset Featured AARP Member Benefits See more Car Rentals offers > See more Travel offers > See more Hotels & Resorts offers > See more Gas & Auto Services offers > Cancel You are leaving AARP.org and going to the website of our trusted provider. The provider’s terms, conditions and policies apply. Please return to AARP.org to learn more about other benefits. Your email address is now confirmed. You'll start receiving the latest news, benefits, events, and programs related to AARP's mission to empower people to choose how they live as they age. You can also by updating your account at anytime. You will be asked to register or log in. Cancel Offer Details Disclosures
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