Bermuda Travel Tips

Visiting Bermuda was an enjoyable experience, but I didn’t do very much research in advance of our trip. I spent a few minutes quickly searching for essential information, and figured out everything else when I arrived. Here are some Bermuda travel tips and key information about the island that may help you before your own trip!

About the Island – Size, Population & Government
The island is formed in a fish hook shape and is relatively small, making it possible to explore in a short time frame. It measures approximately 40 kms in length and approximately 1.6 kms at the widest point. Bermuda is made up of a few main islands connected through bridges with more than 100 additional named islands and rock formations nearby. The island has a population of approximately 71,000 and is self-governed, but they rely on the United Kingdom for foreign relations and defense.

Airport
They are building a new airport on the island that should be complete in 2020. This will help modernize the airport experience and provided a much needed upgrade for travelers. We heard from our tour guide that when it rains on the island, today it also rains inside the airport!

Cost of Visiting
Bermuda has to import most of their goods and materials so it costs a lot more for basic items. You can see these extra costs reflected in the price of food and drinks at restaurants, grocery stores, additional costs for gasoline, etc! A regular loaf of bread costs ~$6.00, and a standard bag of sugar comes in around $9.00. Accommodations are also priced high for hotels, so you could also consider a vacation rental to save some money.

Currency
The Bermudian dollar is on par with the US dollar and you can pay in either currency around the island.

Driving
Other important Bermuda travel tips are about driving. In Bermuda you drive on the left side of the road – just like in the UK. Traffic seemed to go at a moderate speed, but most speed limits were around 20 miles per hour (or 32 km per hour). You can find scooter rental companies, you can rent bicycles or you could try driving a Twizy!

Language
English is the official language of Bermuda. Many residents speak Portuguese as well due to the large Portuguese population on the island.

Franchises
Bermuda passed a law that doesn’t allow franchise restaurants and stores to come to the island. That means you won’t find any Walmart stores, Starbucks Coffee, McDonald’s or Subway here! They do have one Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC), because they were already on the island before the law passed.

Public Transit
The buses are easy to use and reliable, but can be expensive. One ride for an adult is $4.50 USD. You can only pay with exact change on the bus. If you plan to take multiple bus rides, you can purchase a day pass that will cost approximately $19 USD per adult and that allows you all-day use of the public buses. You can purchase these at the information centres and specific retailers – not on the bus! Also, don’t stand up until the bus has come to a complete stop. It’s a local custom – they actually wait for the bus to stop moving before they get up to leave.

Ferries
If you’re on a cruise, these are important Bermuda travel tips because you can save some money! As part of our cruise there were 2 free (for Norwegian cruise passengers) ferries to take you back from St. George and Hamilton. There are also public ferries that do similar routes, and for these you must purchase a pass or single ride. They reduce the frequency and locations of these during the winter months when cruises stop visiting the island.

Taxis
There are taxis available on the island if you prefer to get to your destination more quickly than a ferry or the bus. Taxis are typically in the main city areas, at the cruise terminal and around the hotels. We saw people flag down taxis along the road as well – so this is another option.

Tourist Attractions
There are many different tourist attractions to see on the island of Bermuda. The Crystal Caves, Fantasy Caves, Gibbs Lighthouse, the town of St. George’s, Royal Naval Dockyards and Horseshoe Bay Beach to name a few. Just remember that there are plenty of attractions that will cost you money, and many that are free. I encourage you to go off the beaten track and try one of the other beautiful beaches in the area. Horseshoe Bay is the most popular, but it also means its very busy compared to other locations!

Bermuda Travel Tips Summary

Overall the main thing to remember when planning a vacation to Bermuda is the cost. Everything is more expensive on this island due to the location and it can add up quickly! Make sure to plan accordingly and do your research if you’re staying at a hotel or vacation rental. Hopefully these Bermuda travel tips were helpful for you, and if you have any others to add, please leave them in the comments below!