Getting around
Low
Updated July 2026 · Sources cited: bahamaatlas.com, expatexchange.com
Overall2.1/10Harder to get around than about 85% of cities
Good to know
Good to Know
- No Uber or Lyft; rely on licensed taxis, jitneys, car rental, or Bahamas Ride app for rideshare-like service.
- Jitneys are budget-friendly but require exact cash and can be unreliable outside downtown; best for short, central routes.
- Taxis are not metered—always negotiate fare before entering; government-regulated rates are reasonable but negotiable.
- Walking downtown near cruise port is feasible for 10-20 minute journeys to major attractions, but heat and humidity require planning.
- Scooter rentals popular with cruise visitors; no bike lanes, congested traffic, and strict parking enforcement—check with police before parking.
- Bahamas and USD are equal (1:1); many taxis accept USD in place of BSD.
- Left-hand driving if renting a car; fuel costs higher than mainland U.S.
- E-bikes and scooters available but roads lack infrastructure; guided tours recommended over solo cycling.
- Water taxis offer scenic 10-minute transfers to Paradise Island for $7 USD.
Taxis
- Payment
- Cash preferred; some accept credit cards
- Availability
- Readily available at airport, hotels, and street hails
- Fare Structure
- Government-regulated; fares are fixed by zone, not metered
- Tip Expectation
- 15% customary
- Important Notes
- No meters; fares must be negotiated before departure. Only use licensed taxis with official markings.
Base Rates
- First Quarter Mile
- $3.00
- Each Additional Quarter Mile
- $0.40
Additional Charges
- Excess Baggage
- $2.00
- Per Extra Passenger Over Two
- $4.00
Zone Fares Examples
Downtown Nassau to Paradise Island
- Downtown Nassau To Paradise Island
- $6.00
Nassau Airport to Downtown
- Nassau Airport To Downtown
- $36
Nassau Airport to Cable Beach
- Nassau Airport To Cable Beach
- $30
Daily Rate Range USD
International Brands
- Max
- 120
- Min
- 80
Budget Local Companies
- Max
- 80
- Min
- 60
Daily Rate Range Local
International Brands
- Max
- 120
- Min
- 80
- Currency Local
- USD
Budget Local Companies
- Max
- 80
- Min
- 60
- Currency Local
- USD
Notes
Parking limited in downtown Nassau; left-hand driving adjustment period recommended for North American visitors
Insurance
Recommended; confirm coverage before booking
Fuel Costs
Higher than U.S. mainland; budget accordingly
Driving Side
Left side of road
Requirements
Valid driver's license (U.S. or international), minimum age 25 (some local companies accept 21+ with surcharge), credit card for deposit
Companies Available
Avis, Hertz, Budget, Dollar/Thrifty at airport; multiple local operators
Walkability
- Recommendation
- Walking is viable within the downtown core and cruise port vicinity for specific attractions, but transportation is advisable for exploring beyond this zone.
- Getting Around Tier
- low
- Getting Around Tier Rationale
- Downtown Nassau is walkable for short distances but there is no reliable public transit or rideshare system, making a car or taxi necessary for most trips beyond the core.
- Description
- Downtown Nassau and key attractions near the cruise port are generally walkable for short distances. Highlights like Parliament Square, Queen's Staircase, and Junkanoo Beach can be reached on foot within 10-20 minutes from downtown. However, Nassau has traffic congestion in some areas and is not comprehensively walkable for longer journeys.
Water Taxis
Nassau To Paradise Island
- Fare
- $7.00
- Duration
- Approximately 10 minutes
- Departure Point
- Prince George Wharf downtown
Bike Rentals
- Options
- E-bikes, comfort bikes, mountain bikes available
- Providers
- Cloud of Goods, Marvelous Tours, Cycles Bahamas
- Availability
- Multiple providers offer delivery to hotels and cruise ports
- Delivery Zones
- Downtown Nassau, Cable Beach, Paradise Island
- Notes
- E-bikes available with free delivery. Roads lack dedicated bike lanes; sidewalks not always well-maintained for cycling.
Public Transit
- Fare
- BSD 1.25
- Type
- Jitney buses (minibuses)
- Routes
- 15 routes covering downtown Nassau, Cable Beach, and Paradise Island
- Payment
- Exact cash only, paid upon exiting bus
- Operating Hours
- 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM daily
- Notes
- Buses are frequent and budget-friendly. No meters; routes are informal with stops made along roadsides. Generally reliable for downtown routes.
Scooter Rentals
- Starting Rate
- €5.00
Starting from approximately €5/day
- License
- Valid driver's license required
- Includes
- Helmet, map, insurance, taxes, complimentary hotel/cruise port pickup and drop-off
- Operators
- Bowcar Rentals, A R Rentals, Fathia Scooter & ATV Rentals, others
- Availability
- Multiple operators at Cable Beach, Paradise Island, and downtown
- Rental Periods
- 4-hour, 8-hour, and 24-hour options available
- Age Requirement
- 18 years and older
- Notes
- Popular for cruise port visitors. No dedicated bike lanes; roads can be congested. Parking restrictions exist; confirm with authorities before parking.
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this walkability & transport research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
More About Nassau
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.