New Providence Getting there & around

Getting around

Boat

Ferry boats and water taxis run between Woodes Rogers Walk and the Paradise Island Ferry Terminal for about US$6 round trip.

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Car & motorcycle

Car & scooter

You don’t need a car to explore downtown Nassau or to get to the beaches. If you intend to explore New Providence, it’s worth saving taxi fare to and from Nassau by hiring a car at the airport. Collision damage waiver insurance costs about US$15 a day.

The following companies have car-rental booths at the airport (Dollar is the cheapest, costing from around US$55 per 24 hours for economy) :

Avis Cable Beach – Cumberland St (242-322-2889); Nassau International Airport (242-377-7121)

Budget Nassau International Airport (242-377-7405); Downtown Nassau (242-322-3321)

Dollar/Thrifty Nassau International Airport (242-377-8300); Cable Beach (242-677-6000; Sheraton); Nassau (242-325-3716; British Colonial Hilton Nassau);

Hertz (242-377-8684; Nassau International Airport)

Local companies may rent more cheaply. Ask your hotel to recommend a company or try Orange Creek Rentals (242-323-4967, 800-891-7655; West Bay St, Nassau).

Scooters are widely available and can be found outside most major hotels or the Prince George Wharf. Knowles Scooter Rentals (242-322-3415; Festival Pl, Nassau) rents scooters for US$50/day plus $15 for gas and insurance with a $20 returnable deposit.

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Bus & tram

Bus

Nassau and New Providence are well served by minibuses, called jitneys, which run from 6am to 8pm, although there are no fixed schedules. Buses depart downtown from Frederick St at Bay St and designated bus stops. No buses run to Paradise Island, only to the bridges. Destinations are clearly marked on the buses, which can be waved down. To request a stop anywhere when you’re onboard, simply ask the driver. The standard bus fare is US$1 (children US$0.50) paid to the driver.

There are numerous buses and routes, but no central listing. Check with the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism Welcome Centre for specifics, look at the destinations marked on the front of the jitney, or try one these common routes:

Buses 10 & 10A Cable Beach, Sandy Point & Lyford Cay

Buses 1, 7 & 7A Paradise Island Bridges

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