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Getting Around by Air
Bahamasair (website: 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 Contact Addresses.)
Approximate Flight Times
From Nassau, New Providence Island to Freeport is 40 minutes, to Marsh Harbour or Treasure Cay, Abaco is 35 minutes, to Governor’s Harbour is 30 minutes, and to Georgetown on Exuma is 40 minutes.
Getting Around 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; website: www.bahamasferries.com) operates daily air-conditioned ferries from Nassau to North Eleuthera and Harbour Island and a twice weekly service to Governor's Harbour, Eleuthera, as well as services from Nassau to Exuma, Andros and Abaco. There are also local ferries available.
Getting Around by Road
Traffic drives on the left.
Bus: Jitneys (minibuses) provide inexpensive touring and operate in the hubs of Freeport and Nassau; exact change is required. However, there is no public transport on any of the smaller islands. Paradise Island is served by a bus service which stops at every hotel. Horse-drawn rides are available along the streets of Nassau. Care should be taken when using a bus service after dusk on routes away from the main tourist areas along Cable Beach and East and West Bay Streets.
Taxis: Readily available and the main form of transport on the smaller islands. Taxis in New Providence are metered and the rates are government controlled. For real Bahamian hospitality, keep an eye out for taxis with a Bahamahost sticker in the window. Surcharges often apply for more than two people and for extra luggage.
Bicycles: Can be rented by the day or by the week at popular tourist centres and hotels.
Car hire: International car hire firms are represented at the airports and in Nassau and Freeport. Drivers must be aged 25 or over to hire a car. Motor scooter hire is also available. Helmets must be worn.
Regulations: British driving rules apply.
Documentation: National licences are valid for up to three months.
Bus: Jitneys (minibuses) provide inexpensive touring and operate in the hubs of Freeport and Nassau; exact change is required. However, there is no public transport on any of the smaller islands. Paradise Island is served by a bus service which stops at every hotel. Horse-drawn rides are available along the streets of Nassau. Care should be taken when using a bus service after dusk on routes away from the main tourist areas along Cable Beach and East and West Bay Streets.
Taxis: Readily available and the main form of transport on the smaller islands. Taxis in New Providence are metered and the rates are government controlled. For real Bahamian hospitality, keep an eye out for taxis with a Bahamahost sticker in the window. Surcharges often apply for more than two people and for extra luggage.
Bicycles: Can be rented by the day or by the week at popular tourist centres and hotels.
Car hire: International car hire firms are represented at the airports and in Nassau and Freeport. Drivers must be aged 25 or over to hire a car. Motor scooter hire is also available. Helmets must be worn.
Regulations: British driving rules apply.
Documentation: National licences are valid for up to three months.
Journey Times
The following chart gives approximate journey times (in hours and minutes) from Nassau to other major centres.
* By Bahamas Fast Ferries; all other journey times are by mail boat.
| Air | Sea | |
| Governor’s Harbour, Eleuthera | 0.30 | 2.00* |
| Freeport, Grand Bahama | 0.30/0.45 | 12.00 |
| Marsh Harbour, Abaco | 0.45 | 11.00 |
| George Town, Exuma | 0.45 | 13.00 |
* By Bahamas Fast Ferries; all other journey times are by mail boat.
