Complete Guide to Transportation in the Bahamas: Island-Hopping Flights, Ferries & Getting Around
There are no trains or subways in the Bahamas—get around by small planes, ferries, and taxis. Understand the costs and schedules, and island-hopping will be stress-free.
Arrival and Getting into Town
| Airport | Getting into Town | Time/Price |
|---|
| Nassau Lynden Pindling NAS | Taxi / Hotel shuttle | 20–30 minutes, about USD 30–40 |
| Freeport FPO (Grand Bahama Island) | Taxi / Car rental | 30 minutes minimum |
Nassau Airport has U.S. preclearance, so flights returning to the U.S. complete immigration here. Taxis do not use meters, so agree on a fare before getting in.
Between Islands
- Domestic small planes: Bahamasair and Western Air connect to islands like Exuma (Georgetown GGT), Long Island, and Bimini. One-way fares start at USD 40–80. Flights are infrequent, so book early.
- Ferry / speedboat – Nassau to Harbour Island: Bo Hengy and speedboat tours take about 3 hours; day trips including round-trip transfers are also available.
- Pig Island tours: From Nassau, these are one-day plane + boat packages (about USD 400). Departing from Georgetown, Exuma by boat is cheaper (about USD 180–250).
- Cruise ships: Nassau is the second-largest cruise port in the U.S., and shore excursions are great for first-time visitors.
Getting Around on the Islands
- Jitney buses: About USD 1.25 per person. Routes 10 and 12 connect downtown and the beaches. Last buses run early.
- Taxis: No meters. Common fares in town range from USD 5–15. You can ask drivers to keep their phone number for the return trip.
- Paradise Island ferry / bridge: Walking across the bridge is free. Ferry rides cost about USD 5–6 round trip.
- Renting a car: Drive on the left. Cars are small and fuel prices are not low—recommended only for exploring outlying islands.
Tips
- Island-hopping flights are mostly on 20-seat small planes with strict baggage weight limits. Travel light.
- Ferries and boat tours may be cancelled due to sea conditions. Leave a buffer day in your schedule.
- Google Maps works in the Bahamas, but ferry routes and schedules should be confirmed by phone or in person.
Cruises and Preclearance
Nassau’s cruise port is just a few minutes’ walk from downtown. A half-day is enough to see key sights like Parliament Square and Bay Street. Joining a cruise-sponsored outing is also a relaxing option. Travelers returning to the U.S. go through U.S. preclearance at Nassau Airport and then transfer as if on a domestic flight. Arrive at the airport at least 3 hours early and check the cut-off time for the preclearance line. Small inter-island planes are often delayed by weather, so if you have important international connections, consider staying overnight in Nassau.