Grand Bahama Island Flights

There are 6 different airlines that operate their daily services to Grand Bahama International Airport from the continental US, including American Airlines from Miami; AirTran Airways from Atlanta and Baltimore; Continental Airlines from Ft. Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, and Newark; Delta Airlines from Atlanta; Vintage Props and Jets from Orlando, Daytona Beach, and Melbourne FL; and US Airways from La Guardia, Charlotte, and Philadelphia.

If you like little planes, you can fly over there from Florida on little 19 seater planes like we did. I thought it was pretty neat, but the kids said they don't want to ever fly on a plane that small again. THere was a 50 seater plane from Florida, too, but it cost a little more. There are also a few larger planes that come in from other areas. Another option is a cruise ship.
While there, you can rent a car, or take a shuttle offered by the snorkelling outfits, or take the public bus system. But don't expect the busses to be as efficient as in London! Each one looked different and their schedule was to wait until they had enough people to make it worth their while to go. They also didn't use air conditioning, but the fare was cheap---$.75 , as I recall.

Shown in the picture are the busses lined up waiting for passengers at the Lucayan stop.

There are jitney buses that run between Freeport and Lucaya on a semi-regular basis. A trip costs $1.00 which is quite a bit cheaper than a cab, and if you are not rushing around (as you shouldn't be if you are on island time) the lack of a schedule shouldn't be a problem. The buses go to a terminal (with a dispatcher) near the Winn Dixie in Freeport, and they will detour to drop you off outside their regular routes if you ask. I find this a good way to have contact with Bahamian people outside of the tourist industry.

At the end of the 20th century, getting around on Grand Bahama was best done on a moped. They were relatively cheap, the roads in-town good, and very light traffic. No more.

Renting a car is the best way to get around, especially if you want to do things on your own schedule. Although most hotels and resorts offer courtesy shuttles, you'll only be able to go to the grocery/beach/casino when they say you can. Taxi's are expensive here, bikes and mopeds are at the mercy of traffic, and most places are too far to walk (unless you stay in the tourist enclave of Lucaya).

You'll find Avis, Hertz, Budget and the usual suspects at the airport. But call your resort before you go and ask them to recommend a rental agency. You might save yourself up to 50% off the majors. Try to secure a car with right-hand drive. Though it feels strange at first, you'll get used to it quickly, and it's much safer for you than the standard American steering wheel on the left.

Once I rented from a small company in Freeport. The first night, I had a flat downtown, not a good thing. I called the number I'd been given and found myself talking to the agency's owner at his home. He drove over personally, helped me transfer my groceries to his personal car, and handed me his keys. He and his son set about repairing my rental while he told me to just bring HIS car back at the end of the week. Wow!

The traffic on GBI can best be desribed as "freewheeling", particularly in Freeport and Lucaya. (The so -called "highways" to West End and East End have fallen into disrepair and can be lonely for the nervous traveler.) In the heart of the island, main roads are generally 4-lane and divided. There are numerous "circuses" (traffic circles/rotaries): remember to BEAR LEFT! Also remember, when you stop at an intersection, cross-traffic will not be in the lanes you expect it to be, so look right before you look left!

Look for pink, white and sea green shelters and navy blue/white bus stop signs along the roads. The public "bus" are usually independent minibus vans that run very frequently until about 8 pm for about $1-1.50 Bahamian. Hop on, tell the driver your destination and pay as you get off. It's a very convenient, inexpensive way to get around.

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I hired the same Taxi driver for the entire week. He was great. We agreed on one price and what times we needed him. Very convenient. As I recall, his name was Victor.

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We met a wonderful Bus driver his name was Joe. He played educational games with the children and even gave away a prize an (underwater camera) and told them all about the history of Freeport while he drove us to the Fortune Beach. Fortune Beach is a quiet beach, five miles from Port Lucaya Marketplace.

If your hotel does not provide a shuttle service from the airport you can hop on a taxi in front of the airport. There is no bus service from the airport to the hotels. Taxi ride to most of the hotels in Grand Bahama Island should take around 10 minutes and cost around $15-20.

The government sets the taxi rates and all cabs are metered.