Getting Here & Getting Around

VISA REQUIREMENTS || TRANSPORTATION || AIR TRAVEL || DRIVING TIPS

 

 It’s difficult to find all of this information in one place online, so below is a few details on getting here and traveling around. Here are a few helpful points to get you started. For more detailed information, be sure to pick up a copy of our latest book Escape to the Bahamas, A Guide to Relocating to and Living in the Bahamas. 

 

Visa Requirements

Visas are not required for American and Canadian passport holders.  If you are traveling here for another purpose than tourism (moving here for work), you must make sure you have your documents in order with the Department of Immigration prior to your visit.

Certain countries in Africa and the Middle East require a visa. You will typically be stamped for your length of stay, up to 30 days, upon entry. The Department of Immigration is very strict so make sure you don’t overstay the length stamped in your passport, or by making sure your work documents are in order. Working is prohibited without a valid work permit. Visit www.bahamas.gov.bs for more information on visa requirements

Upon arriving in The Bahamas, non-residents must fill out and sign a pink and white colored Immigration form. After clearing immigration, a portion of the card is given to the visitor, and should be returned to the airline agent upon departing. Visitors will have to pass through customs and declare items such as cigarettes, alcohol and gifts.

When leaving visitors over 6 years of age must pay a Departure Tax of $20. It’s usually included in the price of your ticket if you flew on a commercial flight.

There are no vaccination requirements when traveling from the US or Canada; however, if you are traveling from or have visited a country with a risk of Yellow Fever, you will need to present a vaccination certificate. This includes a laundry list of countries in Africa, and in South America. Check with the Department of Immigration or at www.bahamas.gov.bs for an updated list if you are unsure.

Departures to the US in Nassau will go through US Customs and Immigration pre-clearance. This is a time-saving convenience, especially if you are making a connection on the US side.

Transportation

Domestic travel is very laid back and relatively painless. Flights are typically 20-30 minutes and residents take advantage of the many islands just a short distance away.

Several islands have the option of using the Bahamas Ferry Service which departs from Potter’s Cay in Nassau and services Marsh Harbour in the Abacos, Fresh Creek in Andros,  Freeport in Grand Bahama, George Town in Exuma, Simms in Long Island, and Spanish Wells, Harbour Island, Governor’s Harbour and two stops in North Eleuthera. Visit their website for schedules. For a cultural experience, you can look into traveling inter-island by Mailboat.

Air Travel

Most people arriving to The Bahamas enter through Lynden Pindling International Airport (NAS) in Nassau. The name was given to the airport in 2006 in honor of Sir Lynden Pindling, the first prime minister of the independent Bahamas. The airport underwent major expansion to keep up with growing traffic starting in 2011. There is now a new international terminal servicing only US flights, and a domestic/international terminal, which services flights to the Out Islands and flights from Canada, England and other parts of the Caribbean. At the airport you’ll be able to purchase duty free and souvenir items, as well as pick up a bite to eat.

 

New Providence (Nassau)

Arrive into Lynden Pindling International Airport (NAS)

American Airlines from Miami, Charlotte, Dallas, or Philadelphia

Delta from Atlanta, or New York City

JetBlue from Boston, Fort Lauderdale, New York City or Orlando

United Airlines from Chicago, Houston or New York City

Southwest from Ft Lauderdale or Washington DC

British Airways from Grand Cayman or London, England

Air Canada from Toronto

West Jet from Toronto

Caribbean Airlines from Kingston, Jamaica

COPA from Panama City, Panama

Bahamasair from Havana, Miami and Orlando

Also in Nassau are two fixed base operator (FBO) airports utilizing the same runway as the International Airport. Odyssey Aviation and Jet Aviation, servicing private planes and jets, and charter flights from the US and to the Out Islands.

 

Grand Bahama (Freeport)

Grand Bahama International Airport (FPO)

Bahamasair from Miami and Nassau

American Airlines from Miami, Delta from Atlanta

Silver Airlines from Ft. Lauderdale

Sky Bahamas from Nassau

Western Air from Nassau

 

The Abacos

Marsh Harbour International Airport (MHH)

Bahamasair from Nassau and Miami

Sky Bahamas from Nassau

Silver Airways from Fort Lauderdale

American Airlines from Miami

Delta from Atlanta

Exclusive Aviation has weekly flights to Marsh Harbour from Odyssey Aviation FBO in Nassau on a small Piper Navajo which seats up to 8 people.

 

Eleuthera, Harbour Island & Spanish Wells

On Eleuthera there are three airports; North Eleuthera International Airport (ELH) for Harbour Island and Spanish Wells, Governor’s Harbour International Airport (GHB), which is centrally located on the island, and Rock Sound International Airport (RSD) on the south end of the island.

Bahamsaair from Nassau to North Eleuthera (for Harbour Island and Spanish Wells), Governor’s Harbour and Rock Sound

Pineapple Air from Nassau to North Eleuthera and Governor’s Harbour

Southern Air from Nassau to North Eleuthera and Governor’s Harbour

Bahama Hoppers offers five passenger charter flights from Odyssey Aviation in Nassau to White Crown Aviation in North Eleuthera (next door to the main airport terminal).

Silver Airways from Ft. Lauderdale to North Eleuthera and Governor’s Harbour

American Airlines from Miami to North Eleuthera

Delta from Atlanta to North Eleuthera in season

Aztec Airways offers flights on Mon., Fri. & Sat from Ft. Lauderdale Executive Airport into North Eleuthera and Governor’s Harbour.

 

The Exumas

The Exumas have a variety of airstrips throughout the islands and cays. The main airport is Exuma International Airport (GGT), located just north of George Town in Great Exuma. Staniel Cay Airport (TYM) receives domestic and international flights, and Black Point Airport receives domestic flights. All other airstrips are privately owned and operated and pilots must call ahead for landing details.

Bahamsaair from Nassau into George Town

Sky Bahamas from Nassau into George Town.

Silver Airways from Ft. Lauderdale into George Town

American Airlines from Miami into George Town

Delta from Atlanta into George Town

Air Canada from Toronto into George Town

Watermakers Air has flights on Thurs.-Sun. from Ft. Lauderdale Executive into George Town and from Ft. Lauderdale Executive on Tues., Thurs.-Sat into Staniel Cay

Flamingo Air from Nassau into Staniel Cay

Bahama Hoppers offers five passenger charter flights from Odyssey Aviation in Nassau to Great Exuma and a variety of islands in the Exuma Cays with operating air strips

Trans Island Airways flies 9 passenger Cessna Caravans, regular and amphibian, for services on both land and water throughout the Exuma Cays

 

Bimini

South Bimini Airport (BIM)

Western Air from Nassau

Silver Airways from Ft Lauderdale

Elite Airways from NYC/Newark and Orlando on Thursdays and Sundays

Tropic Ocean Airways is a seaplane charter that flies from Ft. Lauderdale International into South Bimini Airport, or the North Bimini Seaplane Base at Resorts World Bimini, offering 2-3 flights per day in season.

Andros

In North Andros, San Andros Airport (SAQ) services Nicholl’s Town and North Andros. Andros Town Airport (ASQ) services Fresh Creek and Central Andros, Mangrove Cay (MAY) is an island in Middle Bight, not accessible from North Andros by road, only by plane or boat. South Andros has Congo Town Airport (TZN). There is a daily ferry service that connects Mangrove Cay to South Andros.

Western Air from Nassau to San Andros and Congo Town

Watermakers Air from Ft Lauderdale Executive airport to San Andros on Mon., Wed., Sat. & Sun and to Congo Town on Tue, Thurs., Fri.& Sat.

Leair from Nassau to Andros Town and Mangrove Cay

Tropic Ocean Airways is a seaplane charter that flies from Ft. Lauderdale International and will land in San Andros or Andros Town/Fresh Creek airport, or at your accommodations.

Flamingo Air from Nassau to Mangrove Cay

 

The Berry Islands

Great Harbour Cay Airport (GHC) and Chub Cay

Leair from Nassau

Watermakers Air has flights from Ft Lauderdale Executive Airport into Great Harbour Cay on Thurs., Fri., Sat. & Sun

Tropic Ocean Airways offers flights from Fort Lauderdale International Airport at Sheltair on Wed, Thurs, Fri & Sun and into Chub Cay on Mon., Wed., Fri. & Sat.

Bahamas Hoppers offers five passenger aircraft from Odyssey Aviation in Nassau into Great Harbour Cay or Chub Cay

Saga Boy offers nine passenger aircraft from Odyssey Aviation in Nassau into Great Harbour Cay or Chub Cay

 

Long Island

There are two airports in Long Island; Stella Maris Airport (SML) in the north and Deadman’s Cay Airport (LGI) central.

Stella Maris Air Service is a charter flight with per-seat pricing from Jet Aviation FBO in Nassau into Stella Maris

Southern Air from Nassau, making stops in both Stella Maris and Deadman’s Cay

Bahamasair from Nassau to Deadman’s Cay.

 

Cat Island

Arthur’s Town Airport (ATC) on the north end of the island, or New Bight Airport (CAT) at the center of the island

Sky Bahamas from Nassau flying into Arthur’s Town and New Bight. If you book on a day where they only fly into Arthur’s Town and had booked into New Bight (and visa versa) they will bus you to your final destination.

 

San Salvador

San Salvador Airport (ZSA) in Cockburn Town

Bahamasair from Nassau

American Airlines from Miami with direct flights on Saturdays

Charter flights fly from Montreal, Canada, and Paris France arrive weekly, in conjunction with Club Med. Contact Club Med directly if you plan to fly in from either of those destinations.

Great Inagua

Inagua Airport (IGA) has three flights per week on Bahamsaair into Matthew Town. Flights are Monday, Wednesday and Fridays, sometimes stopping in Mayaguana.

 

Acklins & Crooked Island

Colonel Hill Airport (CRI) on Crooked Island and Spring Point Airport (AXP) on Acklins.

Bahamasair services Acklins and Crooked Island twice per week from Nassau; one on Wednesday morning and one on Saturday mid-day. The flight stops at both islands, If you are looking for something outside of that timeframe, charter flights are available from Nassau and Miami/Ft. Lauderdale area.

Escape to the Bahamas: A Guide to Relocating to and Living in the Bahamas

Be sure to pick up a copy of our latest book Escape to the Bahamas: A Guide to Relocating to and Living in the Bahamas, where we go in-depth on topics such as

  • Which island is right for you
  • History, culture & landscape
  • Buying or bringing your vehicle & getting around
  • Renting
  • Buying property
  • Building in the Bahamas
  • Establishing residency
  • Supporting yourself financially
  • Health care
  • Crime and safety
  • And many more topics!

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