Travel Tips for Arriving in Bermuda | A First Timers Guide 

So you booked your trip to Bermuda, and now you’re wondering what to expect when you arrive. Don’t stress out! You’ve just landed on the perfect article because we’ve got all the need–to–know info and travel tips for arriving in Bermuda for the first time.

You’ll learn things like what currency to use, what to eat at the airport, and how to get around. These helpful insider tips for visiting Bermuda will leave you feeling excited and worry-free.

My husband, Donte, actually lived in Bermuda off & on in his 20s while his band played at a bar called Rum Runners located off of Front Street in Hamilton, and he’s been dying to go back ever since.

We recently visited Bermuda in the summer and spent a week touring the island, scoping out all the best things to do on the island, and even made some lifelong friends with local Bermudian residents. It was the time of our lives visiting the “Bermudaful” island, and we’re so excited to share our experiences and suggestions with you! 

Key Takeaways 

Flying to Bermuda: L.F. Wade International Airport

The island of Bermuda has just one airport, the L.F. Wade International Airport, which is brand-new and was officially completed in December 2020 after a $400 million renovation project. The design is an open concept, clean, and modern vibe with high ceilings.

It’s one of the prettiest airports we’ve been to. And, with windows that overlook the famous turquoise water, you really can’t beat the view either! What’s even better is that the food is actually GOOD. I mean, when can you ever say that about airport food?! Trust me, you won’t mind getting slightly delayed for a few hours in this airport. 

When planning your trip to Bermuda, try to find a flight that lands in the morning or early afternoon so that you don’t waste an entire day of vacation. If you land early enough, you’ll have plenty of time to unpack at the hotel, change into your swimsuit, and hit up a nearby beach before the sun goes down. 

One of my favorite memories of our trip was getting to Horseshoe Bay Cove by 5:30 pm and pretty much having it all to ourselves! By that time, all of the day excursion cruisers had gone, so it was fairly quiet. We traveled in the summer, which made for long days and plenty of time to soak up the sun as soon as we arrived in Bermuda. 

Luckily, several major airlines operate flights into and out of Bermuda so it’s fairly easy to get to. These airlines connect Bermuda with various destinations in North America and Europe, making it relatively easy to find a convenient flight for your trip.

American Airlines- Offers flights to and from major U.S. cities such as Charlotte, Miami, New York (JFK), and Philadelphia.

Delta Air Lines- Operates flights to and from cities like Atlanta and New York (JFK).

JetBlue Airways- Provides service from Boston and New York (JFK).

United Airlines- Flies to and from Newark.

Air Canada- Offers flights to and from Toronto.

British Airways- Provides direct flights to and from London Heathrow.

WestJet- Flies to and from Toronto seasonally.

BermudAir- A relatively new airline that launched operations in 2023. It is a boutique airline based in Bermuda that offers direct flights between Bermuda and several destinations in the United States. It focuses on providing a premium travel experience with enhanced comfort and service, aiming to attract both business and leisure travelers. As of now, BermudAir operates direct flights between Bermuda and the following destinations in the United States:

• Boston, Massachusetts (BOS)
• Fort Lauderdale, Florida (FLL)
• New York City, New York (Westchester County Airport – HPN)

What Timezone is Bermuda?

Bermuda is in the Atlantic Standard Time (AST) zone, which is UTC-4. Bermuda does not observe Daylight Saving Time, so the time remains the same throughout the year. It’s basically one hour ahead of the Eastern Standard Time Zone (EST) in the United States, so for US-based travelers, this means you won’t have to fight jet lag too much. 

Paperwork Needed to Enter Bermuda

Traveling to Bermuda is easy, but you’ll need to ensure you have the necessary paperwork before you go. To enter Bermuda, you need a passport, a Bermuda Arrival Card, and a roundtrip ticket.

1. Passport

• All visitors must have a valid passport to enter Bermuda. Ensure your passport is signed and valid for the duration of your stay.

2. Bermuda Arrival Card

• Once you book your roundtrip ticket, the airline will prompt you to complete a form called the Bermuda Arrival Card. This form basically requires all of the information about your trip like the address of the hotel or Airbnb that you’re staying at, your address, flight, and contact information. It’s pretty straightforward. You’ll definitely want to complete the digital form ahead of time so that you don’t have to hassle with filling it out on the plane or being stuck in line at the airport trying to fill it out. 
• After completing the form online, you will receive a copy via email. We highly recommend printing out the email confirmation for all people traveling with you (each person needs to complete the form) and bringing a copy of each one with you. Before exiting the airport, you’ll need to hand that form to the border agent along with your passport. 

3. Roundtrip Ticket  

• You must have proof of a return or onward ticket to show that you plan to leave Bermuda at the end of your visit.

4. Visa Requirements  

• U.S. and Canadian Citizens: Typically, U.S. and Canadian citizens do not need a visa for short stays in Bermuda (up to 90 days).
• UK and EU Citizens: Citizens of the United Kingdom and European Union countries also do not need a visa for short stays.
• Other Nationals: Travelers from other countries should check Bermuda’s specific visa requirements. Some nationalities may require a visa to enter.

5. Customs Declaration  

• Upon arrival, you’ll need to complete a customs declaration form. This form asks about items you are bringing into the country, including any gifts, personal goods, or commercial items.

6. Health Insurance

• It is highly recommended to have travel health insurance that covers any medical expenses while you are in Bermuda. Some travel authorization forms may ask for proof of insurance.

What Type of Currency is Used in Bermuda?

Bermuda’s official currency is the Bermudian dollar (BMD), but the US Dollar (USD) is exchanged at a 1:1 ratio, meaning you can use US currency interchangeably throughout Bermuda. All major credit cards are widely accepted; just be sure to alert your credit card company that you’re traveling out of the country so that they don’t block your charging abilities, thinking that it’s fraud. 

Transportation from the Airport

There are no rental car agencies at the airport, so you’ll have to take a taxi to your hotel or vacation rental. In fact, rental cars are not allowed on the island, and even Bermuda residents are only allowed one car per household. This is all to keep pollution at bay and to maintain the integrity of the small 21-mile-long island.

Taxis are plentiful and readily available outside of the airport ground transportation area, which is located near the baggage claim. Remember, taxi drivers only accept CASH as payment. 

We were able to jump in a taxi pretty quickly. The cost of the taxi from the airport to South Hampton (near The Reefs Resort) was $70 total one-way (including the tip).

Also, we asked the driver to stop at Elbow Beach Scooter Rentals (which was on the way to our Airbnb) so that my husband could pick up the scooter and follow us back to the Airbnb since, of course, the luggage we had wouldn’t fit on the scooter. 

If your flight lands late at night, don’t rely on taxis to transport you from the airport. Most drivers don’t like to work late, so make sure you reserve a driver in advance. 

That said, don’t be afraid to talk with your drivers. Ask them questions about their history and life on the island. They are very personable, and you’ll learn a lot of interesting facts! Also, don’t forget to greet them with salutations like “good morning, good afternoon, or good evening.” It’ll go a long way, trust us!

Getting Around the Island

Navigating Bermuda is easy, thanks to its compact size and variety of transportation options. There are pretty much three main roads that follow the length of the island (21 miles long): North Shore Rd., Middle Rd., and South Rd. All other roads cut across the island (1.75 miles wide).

Depending on your preference and travel style, you can choose from taking the bus, ferry, or taxi to renting a scooter, electric car, or bicycle for traveling around Bermuda 

Hotel Check-In and Sunset Dinner in Bermuda

Once you finally arrive at your hotel or vacation rental home, you can now finally relax, unpack your suitcase if you’d like, and get your vacation started off right with Bermuda’s National Cocktail, the Dark ‘n’ Stormy, or a delicious Rum Swizzle drink. It’s 5 o’clock somewhere, right?!

We stayed at the most amazing vacation rental apartment in Southhampton, and our host even offered us a selection of welcome cocktails! How sweet is that?!

We were able to choose from beer, wine, Dark ‘n’ Stormies, or any non-alcoholic beverage. Even though we don’t drink alcohol that much, we just had to choose the famous Dark ‘n’ Stormy, at least to say we tried it out. Boy, was it yummy!

When traveling, we always suggest making dinner plans ahead of time and knowing exactly where you want to eat and at what time. In this case, a sunset dinner in Bermuda is the best choice for your first night on the island.

Making reservations in advance is helpful when traveling as a couple to Bermuda or with family, so there’s somewhat of a structure to the evening plans on the first night. It also gives you a chance to look at the menu in advance, so you’ll already know exactly what you want to eat and how much money to budget for dinner and cocktails.

It also makes a huge difference in relieving the stress of having to think or make plans for dinner after a long day of travel. Most importantly, you’ll be taking preventive measures to avoid becoming HANGRY.

Wrap-Up: Travel Tips for Arriving in Bermuda as a First Timer

Arriving in Bermuda for the first time is simply magical. By preparing in advance with the right information and these insider tips, you’re guaranteed to have a stress-free trip from the moment you land on this incredible island. 

If you haven’t started booking your romantic trip to Bermuda yet, check out our article about How to Plan a Trip to Bermuda where we explain everything from the beginning, like when to visit Bermuda and how to budget for your trip.