We earn a commission from third-party booking links, at no extra cost to you
Bermuda Bus Routes and Maps: The Passenger Guide
Updated: September 2026
I have spent years riding Bermuda's pink and blue buses, learning exactly which routes save time and which ones offer the best coastal views. The island's public transit network is extensive, safe, and highly affordable. However, it operates with a few quirky local rules that can easily trip up a first-time visitor.
If you want to explore the island beyond the cruise port or your hotel grounds, mastering the bus system is essential. This guide covers everything you need to know, from downloading the route map to understanding the color-coded bus poles.
At a Glance
| Feature |
Details |
| Best For |
Budget travelers, solo explorers, beach-hoppers |
| Skip If |
Carrying large luggage, on a tight cruise schedule, mobility issues |
| Cost Estimate |
$3.5 - $5 per ride (exact change, token, ticket, or pass required) |
| Primary Hub |
Central Terminal on Washington Street, Hamilton |
| Tracking |
Shorelink App (Live Map feature) |
Before mapping out your journey below, make sure you are up to speed on the island's strict luggage policies and how to pay. Read our complete guide to the
Bermuda Bus Service, Schedules, and App here.
Download the Bermuda Bus Map (PDF)
Having a map saved to your phone is the smartest thing you can do before leaving your hotel wifi. Cell service can be spotty on the remote stretches of the island.
If you prefer a digital, zoomable version, I recommend using the interactive map below created by a reader and patron of this website. It allows you to see exactly where Route 7 diverges from Route 8.
Popular Tourist Routes (Which Bus Do I Take?)
When you are standing in the hot sun, you just want to know which number to look for. Here is a quick cheat sheet for the most common journeys visitors make.
| Starting Point |
Destination |
Take Route |
| Dockyard (Cruise Port) |
Horseshoe Bay Beach |
7 |
| Hamilton |
Crystal Caves |
1, 3, 10, or 11 |
| Hamilton |
Aquarium, Museum & Zoo |
10, or 11 |
| Hamilton |
Swizzle Inn |
1, 3, 10, or 11 |
Hamilton |
Dockyard |
7 or 8 |
| Hamilton |
St. George's |
10, 11 (Fastest), also 1, 3 |
| St. George's |
Clearwater Beach |
6 |
Western and Central Routes (Hamilton to Dockyard)
All buses in Bermuda either start or end at the Central Terminal in Hamilton. If you are heading west toward Somerset and the Royal Naval Dockyard, you will be looking at Routes 7 and 8.
Route 7 is the most famous bus on the island. It travels along the South Shore Road, dropping you directly at the entrances to Horseshoe Bay, Warwick Long Bay, and Church Bay. The ride from Dockyard to Horseshoe Bay takes about 35 minutes. Expect a very crowded cabin on cruise ship days.
Bermuda Bus on a Scenic Road. Digital Render by Raj.B
Route 8 also goes to Dockyard, but it takes Middle Road. This is a more residential, inland route. It is faster if you are trying to get straight to Hamilton from the west end, but you will miss the famous ocean views.
Routes 2, 4, 5, and 9 are shorter commuter routes serving the central parishes like Pembroke and Paget.
Eastern Routes (Hamilton to St. George's)
If you are heading east from Hamilton toward the airport, Crystal Caves, or the historic town of St. George's, you need Routes 1, 3, 10, or 11.
Routes 10 and 11 are your best options for getting to St. George's quickly. Route 11 travels along the North Shore, offering great views of the turquoise water. Route 10 takes a slightly more inland path. Both pass by the Aquarium and take about 50 - 60 minutes to travel from Hamilton to the town square in St. George's.
Routes 1 and 3 are much slower. They wind through the eastern parishes, passing the Crystal Caves, famous Swizzle Inn and the Mid Ocean Club.
Route 6 is the outlier; it operates entirely within the eastern end, connecting St. George's to St. David's Island and the beautiful, quiet Clearwater Beach.
How to Read Bermuda Bus Stops (Pink vs. Blue Poles)
Bermuda does not use complex digital signs at most bus stops. Instead, you just need to look at the color of the pole holding the bus stop sign. This simple color-coding system tells you which direction the bus is heading.
A Pink Pole means the bus stopping there is heading into the City of Hamilton.
A Blue Pole means the bus is heading away from Hamilton.
If you are at Horseshoe Bay and want to go back to your cruise ship at Dockyard, you are heading away from Hamilton. Therefore, you need to stand on the side of the road with the blue pole. Look for the painted stone shelters or the simple colored metal poles planted next to the limestone walls.
A Bus Stop in Bermuda with a pink pole
Live Tracking with the Shorelink App
Bermuda recently modernized its transit system with the Shorelink app. This is a massive upgrade for visitors. You no longer have to guess if a bus is running late.
Download the app before your trip to buy digital tickets and passes. The most valuable feature for tourists is the 'Live Map' function. It allows you to track the exact GPS location of your bus in real-time, saving you from standing in the humidity any longer than necessary.
Complete Route Directory: Destinations & Running Times
For meticulous planners, here is the complete breakdown of destinations and average travel times for every bus route on the island. Click on any route below to expand the details and map out your exact itinerary.
Route 7: Hamilton to Dockyard via South Shore
Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute (Hamilton),
Botanical Gardens / King Edward VII Hospital,
Coco Reef Resort,
Elbow Beach / Elbow Beach Hotel,
Coral Beach Club,
Warwick Long Bay Beach,
Horseshoe Bay Beach,
Fairmont Southampton Hotel,
Gibbs Hill Lighthouse,
The Reefs Resort,
Church Bay Beach,
Barnes Corner,
Bermuda Golf Academy,
Pompano Beach Club,
Hog Bay Park,
Port Royal Golf Club,
Rockaway ferry,
Somerset Bridge / Fort Scaur,
Cambridge Beaches / Somerset Long Bay,
Somerset Village,
Royal Naval Dockyard
Average Running Time:
Hamilton to Elbow Beach: 14 minutes
Hamilton to Warwick Long Bay: 22 minutes
Hamilton to Horseshoe Bay Beach: 25 minutes
Hamilton to Gibbs Hill Lighthouse: 29 minutes
Hamilton to Somerset: 53 minutes
Hamilton to Dockyard: 62 minutes
Note: Some services of Route 7 does not serve the dockyard and instead terminate at Barne's Corner and return. A display in front of the bus indicates the final destination.
Route 8: Hamilton to Dockyard via Middle Road
Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute (Hamilton),
Belmont Hills Golf Course,
Paget Marsh,
Warwick Pond,
Riddel's Bay Golf Course,
Barnes Corner,
Bermuda Golf Academy,
Pompano Beach Club,
Hog Bay Park,
Port Royal Golf Club,
Rockaway ferry,
Somerset Bridge / Fort Scaur,
Cambridge Beaches / Somerset Long Bay,
Somerset Village,
Royal Naval Dockyard
Average Running Time:
Hamilton to Cobbs Hill: 15 minutes
Hamilton to Cedar Hill: 23 minutes
Hamilton to Barnes Corner: 34 minutes
Hamilton to Somerset: 53 minutes
Hamilton to Dockyard: 62 minutes
Note: Some services of Route 8 does not serve the dockyard and instead terminate at Barne's Corner and return. A display in front of the bus indicates the final destination.
Routes 2, 4, 5, and 9 (Serving Central Parishes)
Route 2: Hamilton to Ord Road, Paget
Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute (Hamilton),
Botanical Gardens / King Edward VII Hospital,
Coco Reef Resort,
Elbow Beach / Elbow Beach Hotel,
Ord Road
Route 4: Hamilton to Spanish Point
The short route #4 originates at Hamilton Central Bus Terminal, goes up to Spanish Point in Pembroke and returns. Some services of this route take the North Shore Road, while the rest go via St John's Road.
Route 5: Hamilton to Pond Road
This is the shortest of all routes. It goes from Hamilton to Pond Hill in Pembroke via Glebe Road (10 minutes one-way). This route is used mostly by local residents.
Route 9: Circular Roue in Hamilton
This is a curricular route in Hamilton/Pembroke area and covers Bermuda National Stadium, Cedar Park, Palmetto Road etc. The average circular run time of this route is 10 minutes in either direction.
Route 1: Hamilton to St. George
BUEI (Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute, Hamilton),
King Edward VII Hospital,
Botanical Garden,
Spittal Pond,
John Smith's Bay Beach,
Pink Beach Club / The Loren at Pink Beach Hotel,
Mid Ocean Golf Club,
Tucker's Point Golf Club,
Crystal and Fantasy Caves,
Swizzle Inn / Blue Hole Park / Grotto Bay Beach Hotel,
Bermuda International Airport,
St. George's Town.
Average Running Time:
Hamilton to Hospital / Botanical Gardens: 7 minutes
Hamilton to Collector's Hill: 16 minutes
Hamilton to John Smith's Bay: 25 minutes
Hamilton to Mid Ocean Club: 32 minutes
Hamilton to Tucker's Point Club: 37 minutes
Hamilton to Crystal Caves: 39 minutes
Hamilton to Swizzle Inn / Grotto Bay: 42 minutes
Hamilton to Airport: 47 minutes
Hamilton to St. George: 65 minutes
Route 3: Hamilton to St. George
Arboretum,
Flatts Village,
Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo,
Crystal and Fantasy Caves,
Swizzle Inn / Blue Hole Park / Grotto Bay Beach Hotel,
Bermuda International Airport,
St. George's Town.
Average Running Time:
Hamilton to Arboretum: 10 minutes
Hamilton to Aquarium: 20 minutes
Hamilton to Crystal Caves: 38 minutes
Hamilton to Swizzle Inn / Grotto Bay: 40 minutes
Hamilton to International Airport: 45 minutes
Hamilton to St. George: 65 minutes
Routes 10 and 11: Hamilton to St. George
WER Joell Tennis Stadium,
National Sports Center,
Ocean View Golf Course,
FlattsVillage,
Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo,
Shelly Bay Beach,
Swizzle Inn / Blue Hole Park / Grotto Bay Beach Hotel,
Bermuda International Airport,
St. George's Town.
Average Running Time (#10 and 11):
Hamilton to WER Joell Tennis Stadium: 5 minutes
Hamilton to National Sports Center: 10 minutes
Hamilton to Ocean View Golf Course: 15 minutes
Hamilton to Aquarium: 20 minutes
Hamilton to Shelly Bay Beach: 25 minutes
Hamilton to Swizzle Inn / Blue Hole Park / Grotto Bay: 30 minutes
Hamilton to International Airport: 35 minutes
Hamilton to St. George's: 50 minutes
Route 6: St. George to St. Davids
This route operates between St. George's Town and St. David's. It serves Carter House, St. Davids Light House etc. Some services also serve the Clear Water Beach. One way run time is about 25 minutes.
Practical Details (Fares, Zones and Schedules)
Bermuda's bus network is divided into a 3-zone and 14-zone pricing system. Fares depend on how far you are traveling, and cash payments require exact change in coins.
To understand how Bermuda's bus zone system works, see my guide on
Bermuda Bus Zones.
For a complete breakdown of current ticket prices, digital passes, and how the zone system works, visit my guide to
Bermuda Bus Fares.
Alternatives to the Bus
If the bus system sounds too restrictive, you have a few excellent alternatives. The Sea Express Ferry is a fantastic option. The
Blue Route ferry is significantly faster than the bus for traveling between Dockyard and Hamilton, taking only 20 minutes across the Great Sound.
For total freedom, consider
renting a micro-car. Two-seater electric vehicles like the Twizy have become incredibly popular. They allow you to explore hidden beaches and narrow lanes where buses cannot go.
Finally, if you are at the cruise terminal and just want to hit the beach, look for the private minibus shuttles. They cost a few dollars more than the public bus but offer direct, non-stop service to Horseshoe Bay.
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
Related Articles
|
Visitors' Reviews and Comments
Mari C (January 2016)
I want to buy a booklet of tickets but not sure if I need 3 zone or 14. zone. For instance, after taking the ferry, we will travel from St George or Hamilton to Tom Moore's jungle. How can we tell how many zones that is? Is there a place that tells us? Thank you for your help.
Raj (bermuda-attractions.com) January 2016
Usually if the travel is short and limited within about 2 miles, then it is a 3-zone travel, otherwise 14-zone. Better to ask at the counter while buying the ticket booklets, and the staff at the counter can help you with the appropriate ticket booklet depending on your travel plan.
That said, your travel plan will require 14-zone tickets (including in the ferry). If you plan to travel around the island, it's wise to buy book of tickets for 14-zones instead of restricting the travels with 3-zone booklets. Check out my guide on Bermuda Bus Zones.
V Stern (July 2014)
I'm bringing my 11 year old granddaughter to Bermuda next week. Arriving at Kings Wharf Dock. Day 1 planning to take ferry to St Georges, then St Peter's, Unfinished Cathedral, Caves and Aquarium. Can I get bus to get to all these sites and then take ferry back to boat from Hamilton at end of day? Which buses and how do I find them?
Day 2, hoping to take ferry to Hamilton and walk or take buses to Cathedral, Post Office, Government buildings and Underwater Exploration Center - as well as lunch at the pub and a visit to the English Shop. Where do I find buses, or can we walk to everything. This is a big trip for us and I want to be prepared to get around and not waste time looking for buses etc. Thank you so very much.
Raj (bermuda-attractions.com) July 2014
Within St. George, best is to walk. There is minibus service to few places though (available from Kings Square area). From St George take bus #1, 3, 10, or 11 to the caves. Then bus #10 or 11 to Aquarium, then continue on #10 or 11 to Hamilton city. Take the blue route ferry back to dockyard. Within Hamilton, you can walk around and visit the places.
Wilma Kamps (July 2014)
Hello, I was in Bermuda in 1986 and had strawberry shortcake every morning at the Fourways. Yummy! In October 2015 I will be in Bermuda for 3 days, sailing there on the Carnival Splendor, docked at King's Wharf. Can I take a bus from there to the Fourways? It's at #1 Middle Road. Thanks in advance for your help.
Raj (bermuda-attractions.com) July 2014
Hi, you can take bus #8 from the dockyard to Fourways Inn.
|
