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Getting around in Bahamas

Air: 

Bahamasair (UP) (www.bahamasair.com) operates a few domestic routes. Several charter services also run inter-island flights; details are available from the Bahamas Tourist Office (see Important Addresses).

Road: 

Driving is on the left-hand side of the carriageway in the Bahamas. A $2 tax applies to motorised vehicles wishing to use the bridge between Nassau and Paradise Island.

Side of road: 
N/A
Road quality: 

Road safety is a concern in the Bahamas.

Safety campaigns are overseen by the Road Traffic Authority.

UK licences are valid for up to 90 days.

Road classification: 

Roads across the Bahamas are adequate, if often narrow, but congestion is a problem in the main cities of Nassau and Freeport. Many low-lying parts of the country are also subject to flooding.

Car hire: 

International car hire firms are represented at the airports and in Nassau and Freeport, although hiring a car is comparatively expensive. Only drivers aged 25-plus can hire a car. Vehicles are left and right-hand drive. Motor scooter hire is also available ($25-$35 daily). Helmets must be worn.

Taxi: 

Used as supplementary public transport, taxis are readily available. Metered rates vary according to the island, but are always reasonable and, whether government-run or privately run, all are controlled by law. Look for the Bahamahost sticker in the taxi: cab driver with this sticker in the window are not only official, but pride themselves on real Bahamian hospitality. All taxis apply surcharges for groups and extra luggage.

Bike: 

Rent by the half day, full day or the week in tourist centres.

Coach: 

Jitneys (local buses) run all over the bigger islands of the Bahamas; the Family Islands (the smaller outlying islands) have almost no public transport whatsoever. Even in Nassau and Freeport, local buses are not renowned for their promptness, although as on other Caribbean islands, taking a bus for the immersion into local culture is recommended.

Regulations: 

Seatbelts for drivers and passengers have been compulsory since 2004.

Documentation: 

National licences are valid for up to three months.

Getting around towns and cities: 

Driving in Nassau is notoriously difficult due to the congestion.

By water: 

The Out Islands are served by leisurely mail boats which leave Nassau several times a week carrying mail and provisions to the islands. Passengers share facilities with the crew. Arrangements should be made through boat captains at Potters Cay.

Bahamas Fast Ferries (tel: 323 2166; www.bahamasferries.com) operates daily air-conditioned ferries from Nassau to North Eleuthera and Harbour Island and a thrice-weekly service to Governor's Harbour, Eleuthera, as well as one or two weekly services from Nassau to Exuma (George Town), Andros (Morgan’s Bluff and French Creek) and Abaco (Sandy Point). There are also local ferries available.

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