How do you get to Nassau?
Getting There3.9/10Harder to reach than about 70% of cities
- Main airport
- Lynden Pindling International Airport (NAS)
Updated July 2026 · Sources cited: nassauparadiseisland.com, welcomepickups.com
Good to know
Good to Know
- No Uber or Lyft: Nassau has licensed taxi services only. Always agree on fares before boarding unofficial taxis.
- Cash is king: Most taxis prefer cash. Some accept credit cards with advance notice, but don't assume. Carry sufficient BSD or USD.
- Ferry schedules change: Weather, mechanical issues, and holidays affect inter-island ferry times. Confirm departures 24 hours before traveling.
- Paradise Island is close: Only 1–2 miles away; water taxi or taxi both viable. Water taxi is scenic and cheaper.
- Harbour Island ferries reliable: The Bahamas Ferries service to Harbour Island (Wed/Fri/Sun) is the most dependable inter-island route; good for day trips or overnight stays.
- Exuma day trips: Regular ferry to Exuma is unreliable. Book organized speedboat tours instead for predictable swimming-pig experiences.
- No direct international ferry to Nassau: Arrive via Miami/Fort Lauderdale flights (most practical). No Balearia Caribbean ferry terminates at Nassau.
- Jitney buses cheap and fun: $1.25 per ride, great for exploring downtown and Cable Beach, but stop around 5 PM.
- Tipping and extras: 10–15% taxi tips customary. Extra passengers $3–$5, luggage $2–$3.
- Official taxi plates: Look for yellow registration plate with black lettering to ensure you're in a licensed taxi.
- Potter's Cay for ferries: All inter-island ferries depart from Potter's Cay Dock, not the airport. Location is under the Paradise Island bridge, near downtown.
Inter Island Ferry
- Hub
- Potter's Cay Dock, Nassau
- Operator
- Bahamas Ferries Ltd.
- Service Type
- Air-conditioned high-speed catamaran (M/V Bo Hengy III) and mail boats
Routes
~3 Hours
- Route
- Nassau to Harbour Island / Spanish Wells (Eleuthera)
- Frequency
- Wednesday, Friday, Sunday
- Return Time
- ~3:30 PM same day
- Cost One Way
- BSD 55
- Departure Time
- 8:00 AM
- Cost Round Trip
- BSD 110
- Notes
- Children typically half price. Day-trip viable.
Nassau to Exuma (Great Exuma / Georgetown)
- Status
- Limited / Discontinued for regular passenger service
- Notes
- Mail boats (MV Grand Master, MV Captain C) available but schedules unpredictable. Call Potter's Cay Dock at (242) 393-1064 before traveling. Alternative: fly or book organized tour.
Nassau to Abaco Islands
- Frequency
- Multiple weekly
- Notes
- Air-conditioned vessel. Confirm current schedule with operator.
Nassau to Andros
- Frequency
- Weekly
- Notes
- Mixed passenger/freight service.
Nassau to Long Island
- Frequency
- Weekly
- Notes
- Mixed passenger/freight service.
Booking
- Phone
- +1-242-323-2166
- Website
- booking.bahamasferries.com
- Note
- Always confirm 24 hours in advance; schedules shift with weather and mechanical issues.
International Ferry
- Operator
- Balearia Caribbean
- Note
- No direct international ferry to Nassau. Fly to Nassau, then connect onward via Bahamas Ferries.
Routes
2 Hours
- Route
- Fort Lauderdale (Miami) to Bimini
- Frequency
- ~3 times weekly
- Cost Round Trip
- $219
Same-day round trip from Fort Lauderdale
- Notes
- Valid passport required. Check in 2-3 hours in advance.
3 Hours
- Route
- Fort Lauderdale (Miami) to Grand Bahama (Freeport)
- Frequency
- ~2 times weekly
- Cost Round Trip
- $265
Approximate
- Notes
- Valid passport required.
Day Trip Destinations
Paradise Island
- Access
- Sir Sidney Poitier Bridge (car/taxi) or water taxi from Prince George Wharf
- Distance
- ~1-2 miles
- Highlights
- Atlantis Resort, AquaVenture Waterpark, beaches, French Cloisters
- Travel Time
- 5-10 minutes by car/taxi or 10 minutes by water taxi
Harbour Island (Eleuthera)
- Access
- Bahamas Ferries (Wed/Fri/Sun); domestic flights multiple daily
- Distance
- 60 miles
- Ferry Cost
- BSD 55
One-way
- Highlights
- Pink sand beaches, local hospitality, golf carts, art galleries
- Travel Time
- Ferry ~3 hours one-way; or fly ~30 minutes
Swimming Pigs & Exuma Cays
- Access
- Organized boat tours (most practical for day trips); mail boat or fly
- Distance
- ~80 miles
- Highlights
- Staniel Cay, swimming pigs, thunderball grotto, sandbars
- Notes
- Exuma ferry service limited; book organized tour operator for reliable day trip.
Eleuthera (Glass Window Bridge, Surfer Beaches)
- Access
- Ferry to Harbour Island, then road trip inland; or fly to North Eleuthera/Governor's Harbour
- Distance
- 110 miles
- Notes
- Direct mainland ferry service very limited; road exploration requires rental car or guide.
Abaco Islands
- Access
- Bahamas Ferries; local inter-island water taxis; flights
- Notes
- Multiple islands; local ferries connect small cays.
Airport Ground Transport
Taxi
- Notes
- Extra passengers $3-$5 each; luggage fees $2-$3 per oversized bag. Tipping 10-15% customary. Many drivers negotiate; confirm price before boarding. Limited credit card acceptance—cash preferred.
- Description
- Government-regulated, fixed-rate zone-based fares. Plentiful at airport rank; fares displayed at terminal. Official taxis have yellow registration plates with black lettering.
Routes And Costs
Airport to Downtown Nassau
- Airport To Downtown Nassau
- BSD 36
Airport to Cable Beach
- Airport To Cable Beach
- BSD 30
Airport to Paradise Island
- Airport To Paradise Island
- BSD 45
Plus bridge toll
Private Car Transfer (Pre-booked)
- Notes
- Must book minimum 24 hours in advance. Prices include tolls and taxes. Driver gratuity not included. 48-hour cancellation policy applies.
- Description
- Pre-arranged luxury or standard car services available from multiple operators.
Typical Costs
Private car (1-3 passengers)
- Private Car (1 3 Passengers)
- BSD 45
Per vehicle, one-way; example cost breakdown per passenger for 3 passengers
Per vehicle, one-way
- Per Vehicle, One Way
- BSD 50
Per vehicle, one-way; ~$9.58 USD per person for full group
- Per Vehicle, One Way; ~$9.58 USD Per Person For Full Group
- BSD 115
Hotel Shuttle
- Notes
- Confirm availability at time of booking.
- Description
- Many hotels and resorts (especially Atlantis, Baha Mar) offer complimentary or paid shuttle services.
Car Rental
- Notes
- Drive on the left side of the road. Parking varies by property; many hotels charge for parking or offer valet.
- Description
- Hertz, Avis, Budget, Dollar/Thrifty desks located at airport terminal.
Public Bus (Jitney)
- Cost
- BSD 1.25
One-way. Exact change required; pay on exit.
- Notes
- Very affordable but limited frequency and schedules. Service typically stops around 5 PM.
- Description
- Local buses (jitneys) serve downtown Nassau and Cable Beach; limited direct airport service.
Airport
- Name
- Lynden Pindling International Airport (NAS)
- Location
- 10 miles west of downtown Nassau
- Travel Time To City
- 25-30 minutes by taxi
- Distance To City Center
- ~10 miles
Water Taxi
- Cost
- BSD 7.00
Per person
- Route
- Nassau Prince George Wharf to Paradise Island
- Operator
- Nassau Water Taxi / Ferry service (operational status varies; confirm before traveling)
- Travel Time
- ~10 minutes
Rail Service
- Available
- No
- Note
- No rail or commuter train service in Nassau or the Bahamas.
Ride Sharing
- Available
- No
- Note
- Uber and Lyft do not operate in Nassau or the Bahamas.
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this getting there & away research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
- 1.nassauparadiseisland.com
- 2.welcomepickups.com
- 3.viator.com
- 4.thenassauairport.com
- 5.bahamasferries.com
- 6.directferries.com
- 7.bahamashopping.com
- 8.bahamashopping.com
- 9.bahamashopping.com
- 10.myoutislands.com
- 11.bahamas.com
- 12.nassaucruiseport.com
- 13.ferrytobahamas.com
- 14.bahamasairtours.com
- 15.wise.com
- 16.xe.com
- 17.en.wikipedia.org
More About Nassau
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.