Bermuda Transportation: Tips & Tricks

Transportation in Bermuda comes in many forms. While scooters and electric microcar rentals are popular ways to get around, sometimes you may want to take advantage of public transportation and go with someone who knows the way. Fortunately, Bermuda’s public transportation system is safe, affordable, and easy to use. Beyond that, it can also be a scenic and fun-filled part of the island experience.

Here’s what you need to know about island transportation via bus, ferry, and taxi.

Riding the Bus

Bermuda’s bus system – known locally as the “Pink n’ Blue” because of the bus colours – is safe, convenient, and available year-round. Its 11 routes and 14 zones cover the island from east to west, and the buses are frequent and plentiful.

Know Before You Ride

Get familiar with the bus schedule before you ride. Bus stops are colour-coded, with pink and blue poles indicating the direction of the bus. Bus stops with pink poles indicate the bus is going into town (the City of Hamilton), while stops with blue poles indicate the bus is heading out of town. Note that buses stop running after 11:45 pm on weekdays and some earlier depending on the route.

Riders can’t be wet or sandy on the bus, and everyone should cover up to ride. Open food or drink are not allowed. Buses are not wheelchair accessible, but the ferry and taxis offer accessible options.

Getting on the Bus

Download the Shorelink app to get your bus tokens, tickets, and passes. Without the app, you must have exact change or get transportation passes at Bermuda’s Visitor Services Centres (VSC) or the Hamilton Bus Terminal. 

The Hamilton Bus Terminal is located near the intersection of Church Street and Washington Street, next to City Hall. Hours are: Monday through Friday, 7:15 AM – 7 PM; Saturday, 8 AM – 6:30 PM; Sunday and holidays, 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM. For more information, call the bus terminal directly at +1 441-292-3851.

Bus Fares & Ticket Options

Bus fares are calculated by zones and cost between $3.50 and $5 per ride. Journeys up to three zones cost $3.50; longer journeys cost $5.  Passes for 1, 2, 3, 4, or 7 consecutive days are available for unlimited “all zones” travel on buses and ferries. Monthly passes and 3-month passes are also available. Fares are discounted for children (5-16), and kids under 5 ride free. 
You can use tickets, tokens, day passes, or cash. If paying cash, you need to have exact change. (Note that drivers do not give change.)

Taking Bermuda Taxis

For a convenient private ride, you can’t beat Bermuda’s friendly taxis.

Know Before You Ride

Most taxis can carry up to seven people, and some are wheelchair accessible. Please respect local taxi etiquette – don’t get in wet or sandy.

Taxi drivers also give sightseeing tours. They’re deeply knowledgeable and love showing off their island home! 

Booking Your Taxi

Book your ride with one of Bermuda’s taxi apps: Ride.bm or Hitch. (Uber and other ride share apps are unavailable on the island.) You can also book taxis in advance to and from your destination using BTOA Connect, an online portal from the Bermuda Taxi Owners & Operators Association.

While booking in advance is recommended, you can also usually find taxis outside of Bermuda’s larger hotels, near the airport, or around island hubs like the City of Hamilton, the Town of St. George, and the Royal Naval Dockyard. There’s no trick to getting one – just raise your hand and one will drive right up. 

Taxi Fares

All taxis are metered at government-set rates – be prepared to pay in USD or BMD. Always confirm the fare before getting into the taxi. While some take credit cards, others don’t, so it’s a good idea to have cash on hand. Current taxi fares are as follows:

For a 1- to 4-passenger taxi: $9.20 USD for the first mile, $3.25 USD for each additional mile.
For a 5- to 7-passenger taxi: $11.55 USD for the first mile, $4.25 USD for each additional mile.
The sightseeing rate is $60 USD per hour for a 1- to 4-passenger taxi or $85 USD per hour for a 5- to 7-passenger taxi.
Surcharges apply at certain times:
Fares are 25% higher for 5-to 7-passenger taxis between 6 am and 10 pm. 
Fares are 25% higher for 1- to 4-passenger taxis between 10 pm and 6 am.
Fares are 50% higher on Sundays, public holidays, and for 5- to 7-passenger taxis between 10 pm and 6 am.

Riding the Ferry

Travelling by ferry in Bermuda is a great way to get around. The fast ferries are clean, spacious, air-conditioned, and efficient, and you can also enjoy fresh air on the outside decks. The scenic ride makes getting there fun.

Know Before You Ride

Ferries run year-round, with the summer schedule starting in April and the winter schedule starting in November. Find ferry schedules here. Note that the schedules vary from weekdays to weekends, and weather can affect the schedule. The ferries leave promptly.

Ferry routes are colour-coded. The blue route connects Hamilton and the Royal Naval Dockyard on the West End. The green route links other West End locations, including Rockaway and Watford Bridge. The pink route connects Hamilton to Central Bermuda stops in Paget and Warwick Parishes. The orange route only operates in summer – it stops at the Royal Naval Dockyard before continuing to the Town of St. George.

Bicycles are allowed onboard at no additional cost. The ferries are built for accessibility; ferry stops at Royal Naval Dockyard, St. George’s, and Rockaway have wheelchair access.

Getting on the Ferry

Download the Shorelink app to purchase ferry tokens, tickets, and passes – this app works for both the bus and ferry system. Without the app, you must have exact change or get transportation passes at Bermuda’s Visitor Services Centres (VSC) or the Hamilton Ferry Terminal.

The main hub of the ferry system, the Hamilton Ferry Terminal is located on the western end of Front Street. Hours are: Monday through Friday, 6:30 AM – 8 PM; Saturday, 7:30 AM – 6 PM; Sunday and holidays, 8:30 AM – 6 PM. For more information, call the ferry terminal directly at +1 441-295-4506.

Fares & Ticket Options

Like bus fares, the ferry fares are calculated by route and cost between $3.50 and $5 per ride. 
Passes for 1, 2, 3, 4, or 7 consecutive days are available for unlimited travel on ferries and buses. An adult 1-day ferry pass starts at $19 while a 7-day ferry pass costs $62. Monthly passes and 3-month passes are also available. 
Fares are discounted for children (5-16), and kids under 5 ride free. 
You can use tickets, tokens, day passes, or cash.

Ready to start exploring? Download your apps in advance and check out more information on getting around Bermuda.