Travelling around Bermuda by bus is convenient and cost-effective, offering visitors an excellent way to explore the island’s beauty without breaking the bank. This guide provides detailed information on the island’s bus fares and transportation passes and tips on how to choose the best option for your travel needs.
Bus and ferry fares are cheap. As of 2024, the last price increase was in April 2015. Although the 2015 price increases were significant, public transport fares in Bermuda have only been increased a handful of times in recent years. The previous raise was in 2013, and the increase before that was in 2005. In most countries worldwide, bus and public transport fares are raised annually.
Bus fares can be paid in cash to the driver. Savings can be made by purchasing tokens, transportation passes or books of tickets.
Passes, tokens and tickets cannot be purchased on the bus. They are available from the Central Terminal, Hamilton Ferry Terminal, Visitor Information Centres, sub-post offices, and many hotels.
Children aged less than five enjoy free travel on both buses and ferries. Kids aged five to 16 enjoy substantial discounts. Seniors from overseas pay the full adult fare (only Bermudian senior citizens travel for free).
We frequently receive questions from readers asking whether paying with cash or buying tokens, ticket books, or passes is cheaper. There is no definitive answer. It depends on where you are staying, how long you are on the island, how much travelling you intend to do, where, etc. You need to sit down and do the maths.
As a general rule of thumb, though:
- If you’re staying for a few days and plan to take three or fewer bus trips daily, pay in cash or buy tokens.
- If you are here for a week or longer and are planning many journeys (but travelling infrequently), buy a book of bus tickets.
- If you plan on taking four or more bus journeys every day you are on the island (and/or also plan to travel by ferry), purchase a transportation pass valid for the length of your stay.
The cost of bus travel should also be put into context. Everybody likes to save money, but if saving a couple of dollars on bus fares is a significant issue, you should consider whether the island suits you. Bermuda is one of the most expensive countries in the world. Prices for most things are significantly higher than in the US, Canada, and Europe. The cost of air tickets, groceries, drinks, meals, hotels, etc., will have a far more significant impact on your budget than bus fares.
Bus Fares – Cash & Tokens
If paying with cash, you must have the exact change in coins to put in the fare box. Paper currency of any denomination is not accepted.
Adults can save 50 cents on each journey by purchasing tokens.
| Fare Type | # Zones | Cash Fare | Token Fare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular fare | 3 zones | $3.50 | $2.75 |
| Regular fare | 14 zone | $5.00 | $4.50 |
| Children 5 – 16 | All zones | $2.75 | – |
| Children under 5 | All zones | Free | – |
Fares are classified as either 3-zone or 14-zone. Bermuda is divided into 14 bus zones, each roughly two miles long. 3-zone fares allow you to travel through three zones or approximately six miles, while 14-zone fares allow you to travel any distance.
The zones are marked on the bus timetables.
As a quick guide:
- If you are on a cruise ship docking at Royal Naval Dockyard (Kings Wharf/Heritage Wharf), a 3-zone fare will get you as far as West Whale Bay. If you’re travelling further, you’ll need to pay the 14-zone fare.
- If you are starting your journey at the Central Terminal in Hamilton, a 3-zone fare will allow you to travel west until the Gibbs Hill Lighthouse/Fairmont Southampton. Travelling east, a 3-zone fare would take you as far as the The Loren (on south shore routes) or Shelly Bay (on north shore routes).
Public Transportation Passes
Transportation passes provide unlimited travel on buses and ferries. If you’re planning on travelling extensively every day throughout your vacation (four or more journeys), you should buy a transportation pass.
| Fare Type | 1 Day Pass | 2 Day Pass | 3 Day Pass | 4 Day Pass | 7 Day Pass | 1 Month Pass | 3 Month Pass |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adult | $19.00 | $31.50 | $44.00 | $48.50 | $62.00 | $69.00 | $169.00 |
| Child | $9.50 | $16.00 | $22.00 | $24.50 | $31.00 | – | – |
Passes can be purchased that are valid for periods ranging from 1 day to 3 months. The pass is simply a piece of card with a calendar printed on it. The days that the pass is valid are marked on the card. Days must run consecutively. You can’t, for example, purchase a 3-day pass and activate it for Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
1 to 7-day passes are activated on the first day of use (not the day of purchase).
Monthly passes are excellent value. They are valid for a complete calendar month (from the first day to the last), and not 30 days from purchase. They are the best option if you stay for a week or longer and your entire trip falls within one month.
Passes have no personally identifiable information, so you can transfer them if you wish.
If you’ve rented a scooter, you can take it on specific ferry routes for free if you have a pass. If you’re paying with cash or tokens, you need to pay an extra $4.50 to take the scooter on the ferry.
Most cruise ships visiting Bermuda now dock at the Royal Naval Dockyard and spend three days in port. In most cases, the boat arrives in Bermuda early in the morning and departs two days later in the afternoon. If you’re a passenger on such a ship, the two-day pass will be your best option.
We’d advise spending day one and day two of your in-port time using the pass to explore the numerous attractions the island has to offer. On your final day, it’s a good idea to stay at or close to Dockyard (there are plenty of things to see and do). Bermuda has a great public transport system, but things can go wrong (buses sometimes break down, get full, etc.). Make no mistake; the cruise ship will leave on time.
Bus Tickets
Books of 15 individual bus tickets are also available. You tear one out when you need one. They’re a good option if you’re planning to travel a lot, but your trips aren’t going to be concentrated in a short period.
| Book of 15 Tickets | 3 Zones | 14 Zones |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | $25.00 | $37.50 |
| Child | $9.50 | $9.50 |
The adult fare for a 14-zone trip is $2.50, considerably less than the $5.00 it would cost if paid by cash.
Payment Methods
Tokens, transportation passes, and books of tickets can be purchased using cash or credit/debit cards.
Cash fares on buses can be paid using coins only. Drivers cannot give change and notes are not accepted.
Shorelink
Tickets, tokens, and transportation passes can also be purchased online on the Shorelink app.
Transfers
When travelling in Bermuda, you can transfer from one bus route to another at no extra cost, as long as the transfer is made to the next scheduled trip on the connecting route.
Alternatives to Buses
While Bermuda’s public bus system is a reliable means of transportation, visitors have several other transportation options.
Taxis are widely available and offer a more private and direct way to travel, especially if you’re in a group or need to get somewhere quickly. However, they are significantly more expensive than other modes of transport.
For the more adventurous, renting a scooter or electric bicycle allows you to explore the island at your own pace and reach areas that buses might not cover.
Ferries are another great option. They offer scenic routes across the island’s waterways and connect key locations like the city of Hamilton, Dockyard, and St George.
