Arriving at Bermuda Airport 2026: Immigration, Baggage & Airport Transfers Guide

Arriving at Bermuda Airport: Your Complete 2026 Walkthrough

The landing is the easy part. What comes next: clearing immigration, collecting bags, passing customs, and getting to your hotel, catches more visitors off-guard than it should.

This guide walks you through every stage in the order you'll actually experience it, with current 2026 taxi fares, the full directory of shuttle operators, and the things nobody tells you about the public bus from the airport.

Photo: rmburnes, cc by 2.0

What to Expect When You Land

L.F. Wade International Airport sits at the eastern tip of Bermuda, at Kindley Field on St. David's Island in St. George's Parish. The approach is one of the most photographed landings in the world: the plane descends over open Atlantic until a thin green strip appears, and at the last moment the turquoise water gives way to the runway. If you can get a window seat on the left side flying in from the US/Canada, take it.

After touchdown, you'll disembark through a jet bridge into the modern terminal that opened in December 2020. Signs guide you through an airy, well-lit arrivals hall toward immigration. On a normal day the walk from plane to the immigration desk takes about five minutes.

Step 1 - Immigration

The Arrivals Hall has two queue lines: Residents and Visitors. Mixed parties can use either. For each arriving passenger, you'll need:

Your passport (for non-US/UK/Canadian citizens, valid for 45 days beyond your departure date from Bermuda)

Your Bermuda Arrival Card confirmation - ideally the email confirmation you received after filling the card at bermudaarrivalcard.com before your flight

Proof of a return or onward ticket - airlines usually check this at boarding, but immigration may ask

If you didn't fill in the Arrival Card in advance, paper "Pink Forms" are available on your flight or in the Arrivals Hall, but it'll slow your queue meaningfully. The digital version takes two minutes and is free. Any website charging for it is fraudulent.

The immigration officer will stamp your passport, note your length of stay (up to 180 days in any 12-month period is permitted for US/UK/Canada nationals visa-free), and hand you a colored Customs card.

Step 2 - Duty-Free Shopping on Arrival (Optional)

One of Bermuda's best-kept secrets: between immigration and baggage claim there's a Somers Isle Trading Company duty-free store selling wine, spirits, tobacco and a small selection of gifts at duty-free prices. Since 2012 Bermuda has joined more than 50 countries worldwide (including the UK) that allow arrivals duty-free shopping, and it's a real convenience.

Source: Bermuda L.F. Wade International Airport

The $50 per-person visitor allowance applies; anything beyond it attracts duty at 25%. The allowance for alcohol is 1 litre of spirits and 1 litre of wine, and for tobacco 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars or 0.5 kg of loose tobacco per person aged 18 or over.

Step 3 - Baggage Claim and Customs

Collect your bags from the belts. Once through, you'll hand over the colored Customs card you received at immigration, and choose between two channels:

Green channel - for passengers with nothing to declare, travelling within their duty-free allowance, with no prohibited goods and with no more than $10,000 in cash or equivalents.

Red channel - for passengers exceeding the allowance, bringing commercial goods, carrying more than $10,000 in cash, or bringing restricted items. A Customs Traveller Declaration Form (Form 98) is required here.

A Customs officer may examine your bags at random even on the green channel. If items are above allowance, duty is typically 25% of declared value and is payable on the spot by card or cash.

Items to be aware of: Marijuana is prohibited, even with a foreign prescription. Methadone is not allowed, even for those on programs. CBD products are only permitted if they contain less than 1% THC. Firearms, ammunition, fireworks and controlled drugs are entirely prohibited.

Step 4 - Getting to Your Hotel: Three Options

Bermuda doesn't have rental cars for tourists, so your three real options are taxi, shuttle, or public bus. Here's how to choose:

Travelling with suitcases, going anywhere west of Hamilton? A shared shuttle is almost always cheapest, a private shuttle gives you space and speed, and a taxi is fine for smaller groups going shorter distances.

Travelling with light luggage (laptop bag / small backpack only) on a tight budget? The public bus works.

Premium budget, non-standard hour, or wheelchair accessibility needed? Pre-book a private transfer.

Source: Bermuda L.F. Wade International Airport

Taxi from the Airport - 2026 Rates

All Bermuda taxis are metered at government-set rates (last revised April 2024). Current rates:

1 to 4 passengers: $9.15 for the first mile, $3.20 for each additional mile

5 to 7 passengers: $11.55 for the first mile, $4.25 for each additional mile

Surcharges: 25% higher between 10 pm and 6 am, and all day on Sundays and public holidays (50% higher for 5–7 passenger vehicles during these times)

Luggage: $1 per large piece in the trunk

Tipping: 15% is customary

Approximate one-way fares from the airport (regular daytime hours, small taxi):

St. George's Town: $17

Grotto Bay / Hamilton Parish: $17

Smiths and Devonshire Parishes: $32–$40

Hamilton City: $45–$50

Paget: $44–$48

Warwick: $49–$55

Southampton (Fairmont, Pompano, Reefs): $55–$65

Dockyard and Sandys (far west): $70–$75

Most taxis accept cash only. Some use the Journi or Hitch app-booked taxis which also accept cards. US dollars are accepted 1:1 with Bermuda dollars, but change often comes back in BMD.

Journey times run about 10–15 minutes to the eastern end, 25–40 minutes to Hamilton and central parishes, and 45 minutes to an hour to the western parishes depending on traffic.

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Airport Shuttle Operators

Shuttles are the sweet spot for value, they typically run on a per-person basis, offer both private and shared options, and are pre-bookable with flight-tracking so your driver adjusts if your flight is delayed. An approximate two-way group shuttle transfer to Hamilton runs around $30 per person; fixed-price private transfers run higher but split well across a family.

Here are the main operators currently serving L.F. Wade International:

CEO Transport Ltd.: Founded in 1998, one of the largest operators. Services most major hotels including Fairmont Southampton, Rosewood, Reefs, Pompano Beach Club, Elbow Beach, Coco Reef, Hamilton Princess, Newstead Belmont Hills and Cambridge Beaches. Per-person shared rates; clean vehicles, usually up to 10 passengers. US toll-free: +1 (855) 859-6454 | Bermuda: +1 (441) 234-4366 | limobermuda.com

Beeline Transport (Bermuda) Ltd.: One of the oldest operators on the island, offers private and shared shuttles plus island tours. Flight-tracked pickup. Tel: +1 (441) 543-2297 | beelinetransportltd.com

Bermuda Triangle Tours: Toyota minibuses up to 15 passengers. Offers private and group transfers plus sightseeing, dine-around and shopping tours. Airport office on site.

BTA Dispatching Ltd. / Journi: The Bermuda Taxi Owners and Operators Association runs a dispatching service and the Journi app (a local equivalent of Uber-style booking using regular metered taxis). Journi is the easiest way to call a taxi without phoning if you don't know the numbers. Tel: +1 (441) 296-2121 | btoa.bm | journi.com

Sunset Transport Ltd.: A newer operator with strong online booking, WhatsApp communication and flight tracking. Airport transfers, private tours, and group transport. sunsettransportbermuda.com

Exclusive Transportation Services Ltd.: Private transfers, luxury options, wedding and group transport. exclusivetransportationservice.com

Access Bermuda (Keith Simmons): Wheelchair-accessible purpose-built van with side-entry ramp, suitable for passengers with disabilities, ventilators or electric wheelchairs. 1 Loyal Hill, Devonshire. Tel: +1 (441) 295-9106.

A+ Transport Services (Valdon "Val" Caesar): Wheelchair-accessible van, up to 12–13 passengers depending on configuration. Tel: +1 (441) 232-1948.

Bermuda Island Tours & More: 15- and 30-passenger coaches; indicative rates around $40 per person to Hamilton, $55 to Southampton. Tel: +1 (441) 704-8477.

For peak season and weekend arrivals, pre-booking a shuttle 24 hours in advance is strongly recommended.

Public Bus from the Airport

Bermuda's bus system was rebranded to Shorelink in 2024 with a new digital ticketing app. Routes 1, 3, 10 and 11 all stop at the airport and operate between Hamilton and St. George's.

The big caveat: luggage is not allowed on Bermuda buses. Only bags that fit on your lap (small backpacks, laptop bags, handbags) are accepted. Drivers refuse suitcases and rollaboards, and this is strictly enforced. If you're a light packer with carry-on-sized soft luggage, the bus can work; otherwise, it can't.

Fare structure:

Cash: $3.50 for up to 3 zones, $5 for up to 14 zones (airport to Hamilton is 14 zones)

Exact change required if paying cash, bus drivers do not give change. $5 bills are accepted for 14-zone fares at the airport; otherwise coins.

Tokens and multi-day passes are cheaper but cannot be bought at the airport. Buy them in Hamilton at the Central Terminal or Visitor Service Centres in Hamilton, St. George's or Dockyard.

The Shorelink app now lets you buy tickets and passes on your phone and tracks buses in real time, if you've got a data connection when you land, this is the easiest route. You can also buy tickets and passes in advance through this app.

Indicative pass prices: 1-day unlimited $19, 3-day $44, 7-day $62, useful if you're staying a full week and plan to move around.

Pre-Booking a Transfer Online

If you'd rather have everything locked in before you fly, Viator aggregates several Bermuda shuttle operators and handles the booking in one step with free cancellation on most products. Book Bermuda airport transfers and tours at Viator, it's the easiest single-source option for first-time visitors.

Check Transfers & Book

Rates by Viator

Accessibility and Special-Needs Transfers

Both Access Bermuda and A+ Transport offer wheelchair-accessible vans with side-entry ramps and additional features for passengers with medical or mobility needs. Bermuda buses are not wheelchair accessible.

Some taxi fleets include accessible vehicles on request, and the Journi app lets you filter for them. Email or phone ahead if you need guaranteed accessibility.

What Not to Do at Arrivals

A quick list of mistakes to avoid:

Don't assume you can rent a car, you can't, and it's not a thing in Bermuda.

Don't walk up to a bus stop with a suitcase expecting to board. You will be turned away.

Don't skip the Arrival Card thinking you'll fill it on the plane, it slows down the queue for everyone.

Don't pay a third-party website for the "Bermuda Arrival Card." It is always free at bermudaarrivalcard.com.

Don't assume your taxi will take a credit card. Most don't. Have US or BMD cash available.

Next: When It's Time to Leave

A smooth arrival sets up the whole trip, but the departure is its own challenge, particularly on Sunday afternoons when six or more flights leave within a few hours of each other. For the full playbook on check-in timing, US pre-clearance, duty-free shopping, lounges and the best airport bars and restaurants, see: Departing Bermuda by Air: Check-in, Customs & Airport Lounges.

Welcome to Bermuda. The hardest part is over.

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

1) Air Travel to Bermuda

Visitors' Reviews and Comments

Sandy (May 2021)

My husband and I will arrive by air in Bermuda. We need to get to the Cruise ship port. What is the best transportation and cost? We have luggage with us.

Raj (bermuda-attractions.com) May 2021

In the current Covid situation, you need to take a taxi or a private shuttle from the airport. In low traffic conditions, the small taxi fare would be around $75 (on a weekday between 6am to midnight) + $1 for each piece of luggage + 15% tips. The fare on Sundays and public holidays will be 25% higher. The distance from the airport to Royal Naval Dockyard (main cruise port at the west end) is 25 miles and will take little over an hour.

Manoj Gupta (February 2020)

Hi, we are a family of 5 and would need transfer from the airport to Southampton Fairmont on Feb 15, returning on Feb 20th. What would be the cost and how do we book?

Raj (bermuda-attractions.com) February 2020

You can take a larger taxi that can take up to 6 passengers. The approximate one-way cost from Bermuda airport to Fairmont Southampton would be $70 (+15% tips). You can also book a private van transfer (from an operator like CEO Transport) that has a capacity of 6 passengers and can hold ample luggage. It costs $100 one-way to Fairmont Southampton. You can go to their website and book online. Shared shuttle transfers are also available, but they would cost the same for five of you.

Amanda (June 2019)

I will be on a cruise to Bermuda the first week of July but when my cruise leaves on Friday I am going to be catching a flight home. I know I can take the ferry from the port to St George. What is the easiest/safest/ most reliable way to get from the ferry in St George to the airport?

Raj (bermuda-attractions.com) June 2019

You should take a taxi from St. George to the Airport. There are buses too, but they won't let you board with luggage.

Cindy (April 2019)

Thanks for the response. By luggage, do you mean a backpack? We are only there for 3 1/2 days so we were taking backpacks each and maybe one small bag for cosmetics (no bigger then a purse).

Raj (bermuda-attractions.com) April 2019

Backpack is okay as long as it can sit on your lap without obstructing others.... that's the rule. But bus drivers do make discretion.... usually in favor of tourists.

Cindy (April 2019)

I read on your website that exact change is necessary to ride the bus, however, when I followed the link for airport buses, it says you can pay in exact fare (i.e.$5.00 bill). So I come into the airport and grab the bus to Hamilton, can I pay in a $5.00 US bill? Or do I need to get $5 worth of quarters to pay? Can I buy the pass or the 15 tickets at the bus station in Hamilton? Thank you

Raj (bermuda-attractions.com) April 2019

Yes... bus drivers these days usually take $5 bills (notes) although officially it's still the coins. But before grabbing the bus at the airport or wherever, ensure that you have no 'luggage'... then neither bills or coins would work. Once you are in Hamilton, you can get both passes or book of tickets at Hamilton bus or ferry terminals.

Scott (December 2018)

Raj, Thank you for providing this valuable information. My family is arriving for Christmas next week, and I am confused on the buses. We are avid backpackers and have travel packs that fit overhead in luggage bins on the plane and easily on our laps (like when we took the tube from Heathrow into London). But they are larger than a day pack. We can have exact change and our packs may sit on our laps - will we be allowed to board the bus or will they refuse us service? We're staying just outside Hamilton and can walk to our flat from the bus depot, but because there are 5 of us, it would be significantly less expensive to take the bus as compared to a taxi. My confusion in reading the forum is it states as long as the bag fits on your lap, you can take it (which they do), but that the bus drivers refuse you to bring luggage on. Thanks for any insight or help you can offer.

Raj (bermuda-attractions.com) December 2018

Hi Scott, there is no hard and fast norm when it comes to the size of a bag you can take in a bus. Laptop bags, briefcases or small backpacks are okay. The whole idea is that it should not eat into extra space and fellow passengers should not be discomforted. Eventually it depends on the discretion of the driver... one driver could be more liberal than the other. Since there are five of you with a bag each, there could be a chance of refusal. In that case you can try the next bus.

Herbert Prandl (August 2018)

Hello Raj, I saw a recent tourist review of Beeline Transport and it stated that Beeline Transport offered a $36 (per person) round trip from the airport to Watford Bridge. Beeline Transport's website does not really work and there is no contact (e-mail) option available. Is Beeline transport still operational and do they have a working website or e-mail address? Thanks again Raj and we are looking forward to hearing from you.

Raj (bermuda-attractions.com) August 2018

Hello Herbert, Beeline Transport is one of the oldest operators but not quite internet/email savvy. You can try to contact them over phone (441/293-0303). However for airport transfers a good option is CEO-Transport. They charge $25 one-way per person to Cambridge Beaches on shared vehicle (up to 10 persons).

Here is their website: www.limobermuda.com/ceo/

Linda French (March 2018)

My husband and I will have one backpack, one small suitcase that can easily fit on a lap, my small pocket book and my husband's camera case (about the size of a padded lunch bag) when we come on Mar 12th. I have read that bags have to fit on a lap and/or fit under the bus seat. Is that current and correct information?

Raj (bermuda-attractions.com) March 2018

Yes, that is correct.

Nadia Cheluk (November 2017)

We did board a bus from the airport and we did use a $10 bill for the both of us. When we got to Hamilton, we quickly got off to buy a week pass. We were told that you have to show the bill to the driver and then roll it up to deposit into box.

Nadia (November 2017)

Hi Raj, I require clarification on bus tickets as I am getting conflicting messages. We would like to take the bus from the airport to Hamilton. We do not have luggage only a knapsack. We do not have coins. Can we pay by bill, that is, can we give a $10 bill for the both of us to travel to Hamilton? Also, do the busses run regularly from the airport? Thanks for you help.

Raj (bermuda-attractions.com) November 2017

Hi, if your knapsack is small enough to sit on your lap while riding the bus, then you can certainly board the bus from the airport. There are several bus routes (#1, 3, 10, 11) that operate between Hamilton and St. George with a stop at the airport. So yes you can get regular buses from airport to Hamilton during the day time.

Officially only coins are accepted when you pay by cash. This is because the machines can only recognize coins. However it is also known that many bus drivers also accept dollar bills if it matches the exact fare. So if you have only dollar bills, ask the driver before boarding... in all likelihood he would let you board.

George (June 2016)

Flying into Bermuda- while I see typical fares and what to expect, do they generally accept US dollars and/or credit cards? Or will we need to use an airport ATM to obtain Bermuda dollars?

Raj (bermuda-attractions.com) June 2016

Taxi drivers will accept US dollars. But they will likely return the change in Bermuda dollars. Credit card facility is not available with most taxis.

Tony R. (February 2016)

Hi Raj, arriving in late March, staying Monday thru Friday, know the bus schedules well but wondering if the bus driver will take us if we have backpacks that may be bulky. Also would you know the price between the airport and Hamilton terminal. If we buy a three day pass Monday afternoon would the pass be good till Thursday? Thank you for your help. Wonderful site.

Raj (bermuda-attractions.com) February 2016

Quite unlikely that bus drivers will allow bulky backpacks. 14-zone bus fare is applicable between Airport and Hamilton (small taxi fare will be around $43). Your 3-day pass will expire on Wednesday midnight if you start using it from Monday... a day here is not counted as 24 hours.

Glenn Batdorf (November 2015)

We will be arriving on Nov. 20 hopefully. We will be flying standby so cannot make hotel/b and b/guesthouse reservations in advance. What do you advise? Is there a desk at the airport where we can check availability? If we want to use the phone at the airport to call a hotel, how do we do that? Also, is there any way besides taxi to get from the airport to parts of the island?

Raj (bermuda-attractions.com) November 2015

Hi, there is no desk at the arrival hall or at the airport to check hotel availability. You need to use your mobile phone to make calls. It's a low season, and most hotels should have rooms. Other than taxis, you can make use of shuttle services. There are group shuttles available as well that operate on per person rate and are cheaper than private taxis. There are buses as well servicing the airport and operating between Hamilton and St. George, but you can not board with luggage.

Ken Highley (August 2015)

I will be flying a Corporate jet into visit Bermuda next week, and will be there for about 7 hours (1st time there, by the way.) From what I read, our only options for getting from the General Aviation area of the airport to any place to eat is via an expensive taxi, or on the bus system, correct? And that some taxi's MAY take credit cards, but to get any tokens or passes for the bus system will require cash, correct? I am just trying to figure out how much cash to bring for expenses. Thanks in advance! Looking forward to the visit.

Raj (bermuda-attractions.com) August 2015

Most taxis won't take credit cards. You won't get tokens or passes at the airport. You will need to pay bus fares in exact change. Bus fare in cash will depend on 3-zone ($3.50) or 14 zone ($5.0) travel one way. If you just want to visit Hamilton and return to the airport, you should get $10 in change. If you however want to get around the island and visit more places, buy a day pass or booklet of tickets at Hamilton bus terminal.

Karola Rondinella (June 2015)

Arriving 6 people Sunday July 12 2015 how much would a taxi charge from the airport to the Fairmont Southampton. I saw that there is a surcharge on Sundays. Also how much would CEO transport shared shuttle charge. Thank you for all the information.

Raj (bermuda-attractions.com) June 2015

Hi, normal fare for a 7 passenger taxi between airport and Fairmont Southampton would be about $58 plus 15% tips (add 50% surcharge for Sunday). One-way CEO shuttle fare to the hotel is $15 per person.

Andrea (February 2015)

Hi, I have really been enjoying all of the information on your website. We will be in Bermuda next Saturday. Do you have any idea approximately how much a taxi would charge for a ride from the airport to Sandy's Parish? I have been contacting airport shuttle services and the cheapest I have been quoted is $60. Would this be more or less than a taxi? Thanks

Raj (bermuda-attractions.com) February 2015

Hi, taxi fare will depend on your exact location in Sandys. For example, airport to Somerset or Cambridge Beaches Resort would be about $70 without tips, all the way up to the dockyard will be around $75 without tips.

Virginia McCormac (August 2014)

Hi, Thank you for the opportunity to get this information. My sisters and I will be arriving separately at the airport on Sept. 4 2014. They have a 3 hour wait before I arrive. The least expensive way for us to get to our Hotel is by cab reservations with the hotel directly from the airport for all four of us.

We are staying in Cambridge Beaches. In order for them to have something to do for 3 hours and be back at the airport to meet the cab what would you suggest they do on St David's island that would be an inexpensive cab ride. It is too expensive to go to St Georges town and back again to the airport. Is there a restaurant you can recommend or a tourist attraction. If you can give me about how much such a cab ride would cost, that would also be appreciated. Thank you very much.

Raj (bermuda-attractions.com) August 2014

Hi, if they arrive during the day time, they can take a cab and visit Clearwater Beach in St Davids. It's about 2.75kms (1.7 miles) from the airport. There is Gombey's Bar and Restaurant on the beach where they can relax. Entrance to Cooper's Island Nature Reserve is also located there. Taxi ride (in a 4-passenger cab) will cost around $11 one way plus tips. Alternatively they can go to Black Horse Tavern, a restaurant serving Bermudian cuisine and a locals favorite. It's on St David's Road and at a shorter distance.

Bob Wenz (May 2012)

It's very easy to understand why bus passes are no longer available at the airport. By doing so the tourist bureau has helped to support the more costly taxi service. This is no longer the tourist friendly island that I remember for the past 35 years.

Raj (bermuda-attractions.com) May 2012

Hello Bob, Understand your view. I too am surprised that such service has been withdrawn. The buses continue to operate to and from the airport though, and one can always avail a bus from the airport by paying the fare in cash, and later buy a pass from some other place. Probably the government is discouraging the tourists to take a bus on arrival at the airport because one can't carry luggage in the buses anyway. Passengers arriving by flight are likely to have suitcases and large bags, which are not allowed in the public buses.

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