If the idea of taking public transportation in a foreign country is dauting to you, you’re in luck! Riding public busses in Bermuda could not be easier. The system is set up in such a simple way, and taking public busses in Bermuda is a great way to get around the island and see everything it has to offer. While sure, taking a cab would theoretically be quicker, you’ll also rack up quite a big bill at the end of your visit if you’re bopping around. Plus, the busses are reliable and only stop if requested or if someone is waiting. Meaning, they can sometimes be pretty comparable to taking a cab! Here’s a tourist’s guide to riding public busses in Bermuda!
Hamilton Bus Terminal
One of the easiest things about riding public busses in Bermuda, is knowing they all end up at the same spot! The Hamilton Central Bus Terminal is where all busses heading into Hamilton end, and all lines out of the city begin. It really could not be easier. The bus terminal is located right in the center of town and is only a few minute walk away from all the main attractions. Fort Hamilton, The Hamilton Princess Hotel, and the ferry terminal are all less than a fifteen-minute walk away.
At the Hamilton Bus Terminal, all the lines are very easily marked and busses are in their assigned bays. Once you know what route to take, it’s very easy to identify and get on the correct bus. Plus, the staff and drivers are all very friendly and willing to help. If you are unsure of where to get off, just ask your driver. They are more than willing to announce the stop when you arrive and make sure you get where you want to go.
Tip: If you’re transferring bus routes in Hamilton, make sure you ask your driver for a transfer ticket before you get off. You’ll then give this ticket to the new bus and not have to pay a second fare.
Bus Routes
While in other cities, bus routes can be confusing, but that is not the case in Bermuda. It’s a small island so the number of routes are limited and easy to navigate as a tourist. They are numbered #1 – #11 and color coded on the map (linked here) for easy following. Again, if you’re in the city of Hamilton, all routes will start at the Hamilton Central Bus Terminal. If you’re visiting Bermuda on a cruise ship, you’ll want to take routes #7 or #8 to the Dockyards. It’s a little bit of a lengthy ride, but so scenic along the southern coast and through little towns on the Western side of the island!
Tip: skip a sightseeing tour! The bus routes that run along the coasts are incredibly scenic. I was amazed at the views I got for only the cost of a bus fare!
Pink and Blue Posts
Once you’re out and about on the island, it (again) couldn’t be easier to navigate the busses. Each bus stop is identified by either a pink or blue pole. Pink poles mean the bus is going towards the city of Hamilton, and blue means it’s going away from the city. So long as you know the general direction of where you want to go, getting on the correct bus is a breeze. All pink busses will end at the Hamilton Central Bus Terminal as noted above, and outbound (blue post) busses will have their route number and last stop displayed on the front of the bus.
Tip: the bus will only make a stop if someone is waiting. If not, it continues on. Be sure to be near the pole if you want the bus to stop for you!
Paying the Fare
Again- another thing about public busses in Bermuda that couldn’t be easier! Unlike a lot of major cities or countries where you have to have to purchase a ticket ahead of time, Bermuda makes it easy. If you don’t have a ticket, you can pay cash to the driver when you board. All drivers accept both Bermudian and US Dollars on board, at par. The driver cannot make change so make sure you have the exact fare!
The bus system in Bermuda does their fares by “zones”, which admittedly may be the most confusing part about the system. The fares are broken down into “3 Zone” and “14 Zone” and the fares are $3.50 and $5.00 respectively. However, the “3 Zone” fares really don’t get you that far. Chances are if you are visiting Bermuda as a tourist, the majority of your bus rides are going to be 14 Zone fares. In fact, I never once rode a 3 Zone route on my visit. Here is a link that explains the zones a bit more. If you’re in doubt of what fare to pay, just ask your driver upon boarding. Tell them your final destination and they’ll let you know the fare. It really is a lot easier than it seems.
Tip: if you’re visiting Bermuda and want to see a lot, consider purchasing a multi-day pass. These cover all zones and give you unlimited rides on busses and ferries! Options include 1 Day, 2 Days, 3 Days, 4 Days, and 7 Days.
Points of Interest for Tourists
Bermuda is full of great attractions for tourists, that all live up to the hype! Even better is they’re all available to access by public busses. The famous Horseshoe Bay can be reached by the #7 line. It’s about a 30 minute ride from both Hamilton and the Dockyards, but is a major stop on the route so you can’t miss it. St George’s is a town on the far eastern end of the island and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are also great beaches there, and lots to see and explore. You can take any of the following to St. George’s: #1, #3, #6, #10, or #11.
The Royal Naval Dockyard is where most cruise ships dock in Bermuda, but also has a lot of shops and restaurants. There are even some festivals and activities that locals attend. The #7 and #8 busses end in the Dockyards. Finally, the Crystal Caves are a tourist hot spot, but definitely worth the hype! The #1, #3, #10, and #11 will take you right to the entrance of the caves. Plus, the famous Swizzle Inn is right across the street. Treat yourself to a Rum Swizzle and a Wahoo Burger!
Traveling soon? Check out my Travel Tips page to help you score good deals on flights, packing tips, tools to help you plan, and more!
No Comments