Getting Around, Freeport Travel, Transport and Car Rental

(Freeport, Grand Bahama, Bahamas)

Grand Bahama's international airport is just minutes from Freeport and has plenty of transportation into the city. To travel around the island, it is best to rent a car or scooter. Bear in mind that the eastern side of Grand Bahama is often referred to as the 'East End', and logically the western side as the 'West End'.

The roads are mostly flat and easy to navigate. Scooters are particularly fun to drive and easily rented at most hotels or transport stands along the roads in Freeport and Lucaya. You can always travel short distances by taxi, or if you are really adventurous, try the public bus system.

Grand Bahama International Airport (FPO) / Arriving by Air

Address: Freeport, Grand Bahama, Bahamas, BS
Tel: +1 242 352 6020
The Grand Bahama International Airport is just 4 km / 2.5 miles north of downtown Freeport and handles flights from many major North American carriers such as American Eagle, Delta and US Airways. Regular flights arrive from US cities including Atlanta, Charlotte, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, New York and Philadelphia. Visitors from other parts of the world often fly into Nassau and catch a 30-minute Bahamasair flight to Freeport. Car hire is available at the airport, and some hotels offer shuttle transport. Otherwise, you will need to hire a taxi.

Car Rental

If you don't plan to leave the Freeport, Lucaya, International Bazaar triangle then you can simply get around using taxis. However, if you want to check out the rest of Grand Bahama you will need to rent a car. Avis and Hertz have offices at the airport, or you can rent a car in town. You don't need an international driving license in the Bahamas, which makes it very convenient to rent a car.

Book your Freeport Car Rental here.

Buses and Coaches

The public bus system comprises a number of minibuses and is both slow and a little unwieldy, arriving and departing from the parking lot at the Central Market. However, buses can be useful if you are travelling on a direct route, such as downtown Freeport to the International Bazaar. Bus transport also runs farther afield, to destinations such as McLean's Town (east) and West End (west), but unless you have lots of time, it is not the best way to travel around the island. Fares around Freeport are very cheap, and you can get a bus map and schedule at the Tourism Board in Port Lucaya. It is worth noting that many hotels now provide complimentary buses to the main beaches.

Taxis

Every taxi on Grand Bahama should use a meter. The government sets the rates, which are pretty high by most standards. It is easy to find a taxi waiting at all the major hotels or around the cruise ship dock. You can also call the Freeport Taxi Company or Grand Bahama Taxi Union for a pick up 24 hours a day. If you are particularly happy with your taxi driver, you may like to request their card for future journeys.

Boats and Ferries

Discovery Cruise Line runs a daily ship between Fort Lauderdale and Grand Bahama. The 90-km / 56-mile trip takes about five hours and is reasonably priced.

Although the ships aren't the newest in the fleet, they are certainly up to the task and have all the basic cruise ship amenities.