Nassau Jitney Buses and Transportation in Nassau, Bahamas
In Nassau (i.e. in New Providence Island) the available local modes of transportation include buses (which are minibuses and locally known as Jitney), taxis, rental cars and scooters. The Jitney bus service although is the cheapest transport, is not available in Paradise Island. You will mostly have to depend on car/scooter rental and taxi service in Paradise island.
Which option should you use?
Jitney Bus for cheap daytime travel on the main routes and Cable Beach.
Taxi for Paradise Island, night travel, and groups with luggage.
Water Taxi for the Nassau-to-Paradise Island hop.
Nassau Jitney Bus: Routes, Fares and How to Ride
Jitney bus, a public minibus service, is the most popular mode of transport in Nassau. While there are designated bus stops, you can also flag down a bus anywhere along the way. The driver won't mind picking you up or dropping you wherever you want.
But note that Jitney drivers usually don't like waiting, so hop in as quickly as you can and when you reach your destination, hop off quickly.
Jitney at a bus stop in Nassau
The bus stops are usually marked by a pole which has a metal board saying 'Bus Stop'. Usually, there is also a small kiosk with a bench at the bus stop where you can sit and wait for a bus. The kiosk is a yellow and white wooden structure (as you can see in the picture above).
You can recognize a Jitney by it's green number plate the route number which is written on the body prominently. The buses sometimes put on music (often quite loudly).
Since the buses run quite frequently, there is often a competition between two buses trying to reach their customers first because the drivers' earnings depend on the total fares collected.
You should pay the fare when you get off, but you are required to pay the exact fare in change. However I have seen exceptions to this when passengers offering bills of higher denominations saying they don't have change and the driver helping with the change.
There fare is the same irrespective of the distance you travel. Jitney bus fare between any pair of bus stops is $1.50.
The Jitney buses run from 6am in the morning until around 7pm. If you are planning to get around in Nassau in the evenings after 7pm or so, then you will need to depend on taxis.
Jitney service frequency depends on the location, day of the week and time of the day. The wait at the bus stop can be a few minutes to 30 minutes or even more at times.
There are many Jitney bus routes that reach out to various places in Nassau. Most routes start from the downtown area like the George Street (off Bay street), East Hill Street etc.
Out of all the routes, the most popular to tourists is the Route #10 which caters to Cable Beach. The route starts from East Hill Street Depot and gets to George Street and then goes through Duke Street, Cumberland Street, West Bay Street, Cable Beach, Delaporte, Orange Hill, Compass Point, and then returns via Bay Street to George Street.
The Two Bridges
There are two bridges that connect Nassau and Paradise Island. These are one-way bridges... the Western Bridge (Sir Sidney Poitier Bridge) is used to go from Nassau to Paradise Island, the Eastern Bridge is used to return to Nassau. While taxis and cars are allowed on the bridges, Jitneys are not.
Photo: BID Ciudades Sostenibles, flickr, cc by 2.0
There are sidewalks on both the bridges and you can also walk if you want... the eastern bridge is 1,560 feet long and the western bridge is 1,930 feet long. Both the bridges rise to a good height (70-feet at their highest point). So in day time heat, that steep walk could be quite exhausting... but the views of Nassau Harbor and surrounding areas are excellent.
There is a bridge toll for vehicular traffic. Toll booths exist only on Sir Sidney Poitier Bridge. The toll for most vehicle types including taxi cabs, private vehicles and motor cycles is $2. There is no toll for pedestrians and bicycles.
Taxis in Nassau and Paradise Island, Bahamas
Taxis are the most flexible way to get around New Providence, and unlike the jitney they serve Paradise Island and run at night. You will find them in plenty at the airport, the cruise port at Prince George Wharf, the major hotels, and at taxi stands (locally called taxi ranks) across the island. Your hotel can call one for you, and you can flag a passing empty taxi on the street.
Photo: Philip Nelson, flickr, cc by-sa 2.0
There is no single taxi color or style. Any vehicle can be a taxi, from a small car to a large van, and the rate is the same regardless of vehicle size. Identify a licensed taxi by its yellow number plate, and a "Taxi" sign if one is fitted. Use only yellow-plate licensed taxis.
Most taxis in Nassau work on government-regulated point-to-point fares rather than a meter, though some do have meters and you can ask for the metered fare if the vehicle has one. The Road Traffic Department sets a fare chart between common destinations.
Those published fares are the maximum a driver may charge, and in practice they are negotiable. Always confirm the fare for your destination before you get in. This single habit prevents almost every taxi dispute visitors report.
How the fare structure works, which is stable even when the exact dollar figures change:
The quoted fare is for two passengers. Each additional passenger is charged extra (currently in the region of 5 per person, confirm at the time). Children under 3 travel free. There is a one-way bridge toll of 2 per taxi when crossing to Paradise Island, and no toll on the return.
Two bags per person (one suitcase and one carry-on) travel free; additional or oversized pieces, golf bags and boxes carry a small per-bag surcharge. A tip of about 15 percent is customary if you are happy with the service. If you ask the driver to stop on the way, for groceries or an ATM, agree the waiting charge before you set off.
Taxis here often operate on a shared basis, so a driver may pick up other passengers going the same way. If you want the taxi to yourself, say so before boarding and most drivers will agree to a private ride.
Taxis by the hour and guided taxi tours
You can hire a taxi by the hour rather than per trip, which suits families and small groups who want to tour, shop, or do an evening out. The whole taxi is yours for the time you book, regardless of vehicle size, at a government-set hourly rate (historically around $60 per hour, negotiable for longer hires, confirm the current rate). Tell the driver the duration in advance.
For a proper guided tour rather than just point-to-point transport, look for the BahamaHost insignia (a blue circle, usually on the windscreen). These drivers are certified by the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism and carry real knowledge of the island's history, attractions, and culture, so the drive becomes a commentary.
Dedicated taxi tour operators will design a half-day (3 to 4 hour) or full-day (around 8 hour) itinerary around your interests, often including lunch and beverages, typically on a per-person basis. Outside the cruise terminal at Prince George Wharf (Festival Place), certified guided taxi tours are advertised on a fixed per-person basis covering the main Nassau and Paradise Island sights over roughly two and a half hours.
Nassau Airport Transfers and Shuttle Services
If you are arriving by air, you will land at Lynden Pindling International Airport at the western end of New Providence, roughly 15 km and about 16 to 20 minutes by road from downtown Nassau, longer to Paradise Island in traffic. There is no Uber or ride-sharing in Nassau, so your realistic choices from the airport are a licensed taxi from the rank, or a pre-booked shuttle or private transfer.
The taxi rank (simplest option)
Walk out of baggage claim and the taxi rank is right there, with a dispatcher who assigns the next available vehicle and can find a larger van if you are a group. For most arrivals this is the fastest and simplest route to your hotel, and there is no real need to pre-book a private transfer just to have a car waiting.
Confirm the fare, or at least confirm the driver follows the regulated chart, before you load the bags. Refuse any extra "tip" added into the fare itself, which is not legitimate; tip separately if the service was good.
Pre-booked shuttles and private transfers
Privately run shuttles (usually vans or minibuses) operate on a per-person basis and work out cheaper than a private taxi, with the trade-off that you may wait for the vehicle to fill and may be dropped after other passengers depending on hotel order.
Private car transfers cost more but give you a dedicated vehicle, useful for families, groups, late arrivals, or if you want a fixed price agreed in advance. Some Nassau and Paradise Island hotels include a free airport shuttle, so check at the time of booking your room.
A pre-booked transfer is worth it mainly when you have a large party, small children needing car seats, an awkward arrival time, or you simply want a named driver waiting. For two travellers with normal luggage in daylight, the taxi rank is usually quicker and cheaper than a meet-and-greet service that adds handling fees.
Nassau Water Taxi (Ferry Boats)
This is a water transportation between downtown Nassau and Paradise Island. These are mostly traditional Bahamian style native boats (all motorized but not air conditioned). Many of these boats would have been originally handmade and passed down for generations.
Water taxis at Nassau Dock
The ferry boats leave from Woodes Rodgers Wharf at Downtown Nassau near the cruise terminal and behind the famous Straw Market. At Paradise Island, the ferry boats leave from the Paradise Island Dock below the new bridge.
One way ride takes about 12 minutes and the fare is around $7 each way. Although ferry boats are scheduled every 30 minutes, in reality the ferry will wait until it gets enough people on board. So there might be some waiting time involved (additional 15 minutes is quite usual).
Your experience will depend on which boat you get... they are all different and run by different owners. However, along the way the crew of each boat will give narration of the sights you see as you cross the Nassau Harbor.
Some of the sights along the way includes Prince Albert Dock, the British Colonial Hilton Hotel that was built during the colonial days and can be seen on the shore at a distance, Haitian fishing boats, Paradise Island Estates, and of course as you approach the Paradise Island you can see the towering Atlantis Resort.
At Paradise Island Dock you can see gift and souvenir items being sold. You can find Queen Conch shells, stone jewelry, wood carved statues etc on sale. Try out a glass of local island drink 'Bahama Mama' which is a blend of rum, fruit juices like pineapple, orange etc and crushed ice... tastes great.
While there are many local car rental companies in Nassau, I would suggest that you rent a car from an international rental company like Avis, Budget, Dollar, Hertz etc. There are two reasons for that. First the cars from the local rental companies are often poorly maintained. Second, if any dispute arises, then it is much easier to settle such matter with an international company than a local company.
Note that in Bahamas you need to drive on the left side of the road. In order to rent a car, you need to have a valid driving license from your country (which can be used for up to 3 months in Bahamas after which you must apply for International Driving License). Your age should be minimum 21. Some rental companies have minimum age requirement of 25.
Here are contact numbers of international car rental companies in Nassau:
Avis
Prince George Dock (Cruise Terminal): (242) 326-6380
Paradise Island (4 Cumberland Street): (242) 326-6380
Downtown Nassau (Opposite British Hilton): (242) 326-6380
Nassau Airport: (242) 377-7121
Budget
Paradise Island: (242) 363-3095
Nassau Airport: (242) 377-9000; (242) 377-7405
Dollar
Downtown Nassau: (242) 325-3716
Nassau Airport: (242) 377-0326; (242) 377-7301
Hertz
Nassau Airport: (242) 377-8684
Scooter Rentals in Nassau, Bahamas
Minimum age of scooter rider should be 21 and you need a valid license to rent a scooter. Most operators in Nassau offer hourly rate (some also give you day packages). Rates usually include full tank fuel, helmet, short instruction and an island map.
Visit
Scooter Rentals for full info about renting scooters, rates and rental companies in Nassau.
Horse Carriage Rides in Nassau
Just outside the cruise terminal at Prince George Wharf in downtown Nassau, you can see the horse carriages lined up from the morning. You can take a carriage ride to take a tour of the downtown. The tour takes about 20 minutes and returns to the starting point.
Horse Carriage Ride in Nassau
Photo: Jon Worth, flickr, cc by-sa 2.0
Atlantis Shuttle
Guests of Atlantis hotels in Paradise Island can avail a free shuttle run by Atlantis every 30 minutes starting 7am until midnight. The bus service covers The Reef Atlantis, The Cove Atlantis, Royal Towers, Harborside Resort, Coral Towers, Beach Towers, Ocean Club and the Ocean Club Golf Course.
Common mistakes and things to know
The transport itself in Nassau is easy. Most problems visitors run into are avoidable and almost always about money or timing. These are the ones that come up again and again.
Not confirming the taxi fare before you get in. This is the single most common and most expensive mistake. Nassau taxis mostly run on government-regulated point-to-point fares, not meters, and those published fares are the maximum a driver may charge, not a fixed price. Always agree the fare for your destination before you load your bags. If you know the going rate, you can hold the driver to it. The visitors who get overcharged are almost always the ones who did not ask first.
Letting the driver add the bridge toll on the return trip. The Paradise Island bridge toll is one-way only, charged when you cross from Nassau to Paradise Island, not on the way back. Some drivers add it in both directions hoping you will not notice. On the return leg to Nassau or the airport, there is no toll, so do not pay one.
Paying an illegal "tip" built into the fare. A tip is yours to give for good service, separate from the fare and at your discretion, usually around 15 percent. Some drivers quietly fold an extra charge described as a tip into the fare itself, which is not legitimate. Keep the fare and the tip separate, and refuse any "tip" presented as part of the mandatory fare.
Assuming a private ride when taxis here run shared. Many Nassau taxis operate on a shared basis, so the driver may pick up other passengers heading the same way. That is normal and does not change your fare. If you want the taxi to yourself, say so before boarding and agree it with the driver, otherwise expect company.
Not agreeing a waiting charge before asking the taxi to stop. If you want to stop on the way for groceries, an ATM, or anything else, the driver can charge for the wait. Settle that charge before you set off, not after, or it becomes a dispute at the end of the trip.
Overpaying for a private airport transfer you did not need. The taxi rank at Lynden Pindling International Airport is efficient, with a dispatcher assigning the next vehicle and finding larger vans for groups. For two travelers with normal luggage arriving in daylight, the rank is usually faster and cheaper than a pre-booked meet-and-greet service that adds handling and waiting fees. Pre-booking is worth it mainly for groups, late arrivals, car seats, or when you specifically want a named driver waiting.
Expecting Uber or ride-sharing. There is no Uber or ride-sharing in Nassau. If your travel habits assume you can summon a car from an app, plan differently. Your options are licensed taxis, pre-booked shuttles and transfers, the jitney during the day, and the water taxi to Paradise Island.
Building your day around the jitney for the evening or for Paradise Island. The jitney is excellent value during the day, but it stops in the early evening and does not serve Paradise Island or the airport. The mistake is planning an evening out, a late return, or a Paradise Island trip on the assumption the bus will be there. For anything after the jitney stops running, or any trip across the bridge, budget for a taxi.
Not carrying small bills for the bridge, tips, and the water taxi. Cash in small denominations solves most friction in Nassau. The jitney needs exact change, porters and drivers expect cash tips, and the water taxi is paid in cash. Arriving with only large bills or expecting card payment everywhere creates problems the locals never have.
Nassau Jitney: Common Questions
How much is the jitney fare in Nassau?
The adult fare is 1.50 per ride, the same regardless of how far you travel between stops. You pay in cash, in exact change. Drivers do not reliably make change for larger bills, so carry dollar bills and quarters before you board. There are no cards, apps, or day passes on the jitney.
Which jitney goes to Cable Beach?
Route 10 is the one most visitors want. It runs from the downtown area along West Bay Street out to Cable Beach and the western end of the island, passing many of the beachfront hotels along the way. It is the most useful single route for tourists staying on or visiting Cable Beach. For all the other routes, see
Nassau Jitney Bus Routes.
Does the jitney run at night?
No. Jitneys operate from about 6am until early evening, roughly 7pm. After that there is no jitney service, and you will need a taxi to get around in the evening. Plan your return before the service stops if you are relying on the bus.
Does the jitney go to Paradise Island?
No. Jitneys are not permitted on the bridges connecting Nassau and Paradise Island, so there is no jitney service to or on Paradise Island. To reach Paradise Island you take a taxi (which pays a one-way bridge toll) or the water taxi from downtown Nassau.
Does the jitney go to the airport?
Not in any practical sense. Lynden Pindling International Airport is not served by a useful jitney route, and arriving with luggage and looking for a local bus is not realistic. From the airport, take a licensed taxi from the rank or a pre-booked transfer. Use the jitney once you are settled at your hotel and want to get around cheaply during the day.
Where do I catch a jitney, and how do I pay?
Most routes start in the downtown area, around George Street and East Hill Street. There are marked bus stops (a pole with a "Bus Stop" board, often with a small yellow and white kiosk and bench), but you can also flag a jitney down anywhere along its route, and ask the driver to let you off where you want. You normally pay when you get off, in exact change. Hop on and off quickly, since drivers do not like to wait.
How do I know which jitney to take?
Each jitney shows its route number prominently on the body of the bus and carries a green number plate. If you are unsure, tell the driver where you want to go before boarding and they will tell you whether their route serves it. Drivers and locals are generally helpful with directions.
Is the jitney safe and worth using?
For daytime travel on the main routes, yes. It is by far the cheapest way to get around Nassau and a normal part of local life. The ride can be lively and sometimes loud with music, and waits range from a few minutes to half an hour depending on the route, day, and time. For most visitors the value is excellent, with the main limitations being no night service and no Paradise Island access.
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About the Author
By Raj Bhattacharya
Raj has been writing about Bermuda since 2008, when he launched bermuda-attractions.com, one of the longest-standing independent guides to the island. A Certified Bermuda Specialist (Bermuda Tourism Authority), his work draws on personal visits, local contacts in Bermuda, and questions and trip reports from thousands of readers over the years.
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