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Bermuda Train and Trolley Tours: The Complete Guide
Updated: September 2026
If you are researching transportation for your upcoming trip, you have likely seen mentions of a Bermuda train. Let me clear up a very common misconception right away: Bermuda does not have a functioning railway system.
The island did have a real train back in the 1930s, but the tracks were dismantled decades ago. Today, that old route is the
Bermuda's Railway Trail, a fantastic path for walking and cycling.
When you see tickets sold for a "Bermuda Train," you are actually booking a ride on a motorized, open-air road trolley. These trolleys are designed to look like vintage locomotives and drive directly on the public roads.
At a Glance: Bermuda Trolley Tours
| Feature |
Details |
| Best For |
Cruise visitors, families with kids, quick sightseeing |
| Average Cost |
typically $15 - $75 USD per adult (varies by route and booking method) |
| Duration |
45 - 60 minutes |
| Primary Hubs |
St. George's, Royal Naval Dockyard, City of Hamilton |
| Accessibility |
Requires stepping up into the carriage; wheelchairs must fold |
Who Should or Should Not Take a Trolley Tour?
These open-air tours offer a fantastic, low-effort way to get the lay of the land. They are ideal for families with young children who might not tolerate a long walking tour. They are also great for cruise visitors who want a quick, guided overview of a specific parish before heading to the beach.
However, you should skip the trolley if you want deep, immersive historical facts. The audio commentary provides a good surface-level introduction, but it cannot replace a dedicated local guide.
You should also pass if you suffer from severe motion sickness or back pain. Bermuda's historic roads are narrow, and the cobblestones in the older towns will make the wooden benches rattle and bounce.
The St. George's Olde Towne Railway Tour
This is the most popular trolley route on the island, and for good reason. The historic town of St. George's is a UNESCO World Heritage site packed with narrow alleys and colonial architecture. The trolley departs right from Ordnance Island, just steps from the town square.
Photo: Olde Towne Railway
The route takes you past major landmarks like the Unfinished Church, Fort St. Catherine, and Tobacco Bay. You will smell the salt air as the trolley climbs the coastal hills, offering excellent vantage points for photos.
The tour is currently operated by a local family who took over in recent years and have kept the operation running smoothly. For a deeper dive into the area after your ride, check out my
Guide to St. George.
Pro-Tip: Sit on the right side of the trolley for the best coastal views as you head toward Fort St. Catherine.
The Dockyard Trolley Tours: Paid vs. Free
If you are arriving on a large cruise ship, you will dock at the Royal Naval Dockyard. This creates massive confusion for first-time visitors because there are two completely different "trains" operating here.
The first is the paid sightseeing tour operated by the Bermuda Train Company. This 60-minute narrative tour actually leaves the cruise port and takes you into Sandys Parish.
You will rumble past local spots like Lagoon Park before crossing
Watford Bridge. The train turns around at a layby next to a small military burial ground, which your guide will call the 'Yellow Fever Cemetery'.
However, as a savvy visitor, it is worth knowing that Bermuda actually has several burial sites from the 19th-century epidemics. The much larger
Royal Naval Cemetery, where many of the naval victims were laid to rest, is located back north on Ireland Island South.
Road Map of the Trolley
Dockyard Map Key
Map Design by Raj.B
The second option is the free government-run shuttle tram. This shuttle does not offer a guided tour and it never leaves the fortress walls. It runs on a continuous loop strictly inside the Dockyard complex to help visitors get from the ship terminal to the Clocktower Mall or the ferry dock. Read my
Dockyard Cruise Port Guide to map out your port day.
The Hamilton City Trolley Tour
The capital city of Hamilton also has a trolley route, but its schedule is highly unpredictable. This route is heavily dependent on the cruise ship schedule, specifically when smaller luxury ships dock right on Front Street.
When operating, the Hamilton trolley weaves through the bustling downtown traffic including Front Street, Queen Street (Passing Bermuda National Library) and Church Street (passing City Hall, Most Holy Trinity Church, etc).
It also typically passes the Botanical Gardens and the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute (BUEI). Because this tour navigates active city traffic rather than quiet coastal roads, expect a lot of starting and stopping.
Train Trolley on Front Street, Hamilton
Photo: Darryl Brooks, Shutterstock
Practical Details and Logistics
Booking your trolley tour depends entirely on where you are. The St. George's trolley is very friendly to walk-up customers. You can usually buy a ticket directly from the driver using cash (USD or Bermudian dollars are accepted interchangeably).
The Dockyard and Hamilton tours are a different story. These are often chartered directly by major cruise lines like Norwegian and Royal Caribbean. If you want to guarantee a seat on the paid Dockyard tour, you will likely need to book it through your ship's excursion desk before you arrive.
Pro-Tip: Always carry small bills. Even today, card machines on mobile tours can lose signal, making cash the most reliable way to pay for walk-up tickets.
Common Mistakes and Surprises
The biggest surprise for visitors is the noise level. The trolley engines are loud, and when combined with the wind and the rattling over brick streets, the audio narration can sometimes be hard to hear. Do not expect a quiet, whisper-soft ride.
Another major mistake is assuming the trolleys are fully wheelchair accessible. They are not. You must be able to climb two or three steps to board the carriage. While the driver can usually store a folding wheelchair or walker near the front, motorized scooters cannot be accommodated on board.
Alternatives to the Trolley Tours
If the trolley does not sound like your style, you have plenty of other ways to explore. For scenic views without the bumpy roads, take the Sea Express Ferry. The Blue Route from Dockyard to Hamilton offers incredible views of the harbor for just a few dollars.
For independent exploration, consider renting a two-seater electric microcar from local vendors like Oleander Cycles, or a Renault Twizy from Current Vehicles. These micro-cars let you explore at your own pace safely.
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.
Learn more about Raj Bhattacharya
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Visitors' Reviews and Comments
Rasbary (August 2019)
Thanks for this information. Just to clarify, can people pick up tickets at the Dockyard Train Office for this company? The reason I ask is that I have excursions planned and if I have time, some of my group might want to get on the train. We just need to know if their is an office at the dock and whether they will allow walk-ins if the train has availability. Thanks in advance.
Raj (bermuda-attractions.com) August 2019
You can book the train tour through Island Tour Center (a tour booking agency) located at dockyard (close to the cruise pier).
Rasbary (August 2019)
Can people pick up this train without a cruise excursion? I may want to do this train if I have time. I just need to know if I can buy a ticket when I get to Bermuda. If so, how much. The train most likely leave from Royal Navy Dockyard. Your help is most appreciated.
Raj (bermuda-attractions.com) August 2019
Hi, the operator (Bermuda Train Company) runs two trains... one starts at dockyard and the other at Hamilton. They usually take their bookings through the cruise lines, but you can also make a booking request through their website or by emailing them.
There is another train trolley shuttle which goes around the dockyard and stopping at important landmarks within the dockyard... it's free, no booking is required and anybody can avail that. This shuttle is run by a unit of Bermuda's government.
Dyishcha Hale (July 2019)
Hello, I wanted to know if you have to make reservations for the train?? And does the train leave from the dockyard or in Hamilton?
Raj (bermuda-attractions.com) July 2019
Hi, there is a shuttle train trolley in dockyard which is free and makes a loop around the dockyard stopping at several points. You don't need to do any booking for this. However there are separate tours by train trolley in both dockyard and Hamilton which are run privately by Bermuda Train Company and you need to book a ride through their website.
Roy and Mary Lydon (August 2017)
We took this tour on Monday, July 31 and we found the tour driver Charlie and the spokesman Marian to be very cross and irritable to all the riders... they obviously have been at this too long... their narration was stale and Marian's voice was very whiney and annoying... they fussed so much about a handicapped customer and could not or would not accommodate the wheelchair for them, so they got off.
They also told people that they would be back at the BUIE in an hour for the 2nd part of the tour... they came back at 45 minutes and rushed everyone out... this is definitely not for kids... BORING and not entertaining for them.. Get rid of these elderly folks and freshen up what could be a great time.
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