Getting Around Nassau: An Overview
Nassau is the capital city of the Bahamas, and for most visitors the practical geography splits neatly into two parts: the compact downtown area around Bay Street and the harbour, and the outlying districts and beaches reached by road. There is no rail, metro or tram network in Nassau, so getting around relies on minibuses, taxis, water taxis, rental vehicles and your own two feet. The good news is that downtown itself is small enough to explore on foot, and the other modes fill in the gaps for longer trips.
By Foot
Within downtown Nassau, walking is a genuinely practical option. Distances are very short, and a walking tour is a pleasant way of exploring the downtown area. If your plans centre on Bay Street, the harbourfront and the historic core, you may not need any other transport at all.
Minibuses (Jitneys)
Public transport in Nassau is provided by minibuses, locally known as jitneys. These are the inexpensive workhorse of local travel, and they are a good way to see parts of the island beyond downtown.
- Where to catch them: Jitneys are found on and near Bay Street. The famous #10 Jitney to Cable Beach loads passengers on George & Bay Streets, in front of McDonald's and across from the British Colonial Hilton. Other jitneys are located on Charlotte & Bay Streets.
- Fares and payment: Journeys cost $1.25 per person, per ride. Payment is received by the driver when you disembark. No change is given, so have the exact fare ready, and there is no transfer credit for changing buses.
- How rides are counted: A round trip counts as two rides, even if you never get off the bus — so a sightseeing loop out and back is charged twice.
- Routes: Understanding the various routes can be complex. Many buses have their destinations painted on them, but there is no standard, since they are run by multiple companies and individuals. Ask around for your destination.
- Timing: Jitneys stop operating between 6 and 7PM. A bus will typically wait until it is full before departing. After the jitneys stop, the only way back to downtown is by taxi, which can be quite expensive.
- Paradise Island: Note that there is no jitney that goes to Paradise Island (Atlantis Resort).
Water Taxi
For the trip between downtown and Paradise Island, a water taxi is an available alternative to a road taxi. It is picked up under the bridge and costs $6 round trip. Be aware that the water taxi stops operating at 6PM, so plan your return accordingly.
Taxis
Taxis roam the streets of Nassau. They are often minivans and are always identifiable by their yellow license plates and little Gothic blackletter "Taxi" lettering.
- Fares: Taxis are equipped with meters but will usually refuse to use them, so agree on the fare in advance before you set off.
- Typical costs: A short ride from the airport to Cable Beach costs $18, and to downtown $26. Expect to pay $15–20 for even the shortest of trips from downtown to Cable Beach. From Paradise Island to Downtown, taxis cost $4 per person with an $11 minimum.
- When you'll need one: Because jitneys stop in the early evening, taxis are effectively the only way back to downtown after 7PM.
Renting a Car or Scooter
You could also rent a car, and all major U.S. car rental shops are in Nassau. Travelers from the UK will find the roads have a very British feel: Bahamian roads are left-hand drive, use UK road signs, and feature the odd roundabout.
Scooter (small motorcycle) rental is also popular in Nassau. Bicycle rental, by contrast, is not popular and not recommended — traffic is bad, there are many blind corners in the old streets of Nassau, and cars drive recklessly and on the left side of the road, which you may not be used to.
Arriving by Air: Lynden Pindling International Airport
Nassau's Lynden Pindling International Airport (NAS) is the largest airport in the Bahamas. Most major U.S. airlines have flights there, and there is also some service from Toronto and London. The airport has seen better days, but the free drinks occasionally served on arrival and the live band serenading the Immigration hall help set the tone.
Getting from the airport into the city gives you two main choices:
- Taxi: There is a list of fixed taxi fares posted at the exit. It is about US$27 and 10 mi (16 km) to most hotels in central Nassau. This is the straightforward option, especially with luggage.
- Bus: No public transportation goes into the airport itself. If you really want to take the bus, you need to walk out of the airport onto the main road (John F Kennedy Dr) and cross the road to catch the 12B, which goes into the city center. There is no bus stop, so just wait by the roadside and wave it down when it comes. It runs about every 30 minutes, and the fare is $2.50.
For departures, there are three terminal concourses: domestic and charter flights, flights to the US, and non-US international flights. US Immigration/Customs preclearance can be very time-consuming, so show up at least two hours before your flight. Security for other destinations is considerably more laid back, and an hour should suffice.
Arriving by Sea
Nassau is a favorite port of call for the many cruise ships plying the Bahamas, and up to seven cruise ships can dock at the Prince George Wharf Cruise Terminal adjacent to downtown Nassau — convenient if your visit is a port day, since you step off essentially into the city centre. For island-hopping within The Bahamas, a good option is Bahamas Ferries, which has several sailings each week to Nassau from most other islands.
Practical Tips
- Carry small bills and exact change for jitneys — drivers do not give change.
- Agree on your taxi fare before departing, since meters are generally not used.
- Plan your day around the early evening shutdown of jitneys and the 6PM water taxi cutoff; after that, budget for a taxi.
- Remember that driving is on the left, and that bicycles are best avoided given the traffic conditions.
- If you're flying out to the US, allow at least two hours at the airport for preclearance.