How Much Does it Cost to go to Bermuda?
How much does it cost to go to Bermuda? It’s likely the first question you’ll ask if you’re thinking of visiting. Located east of South Carolina in the Atlantic Ocean, Bermuda isn’t part of the Caribbean, but it’s an island paradise nonetheless. With pink sand beaches and deep history, a Bermuda vacation is worth considering if you’re looking for a short break.
There’s no denying that Bermuda can be more expensive than other destinations, but you don’t come here just to sit on the beach for a week. This country is meant to be explored, and you won’t be disappointed. The question is, how much does it cost to go to Bermuda? Keep reading and find out.
Bermuda trip cost
| Estimated cost | |
|---|---|
| Airfare | $450 |
| Accommodations | $880 |
| Local transportation | $100 |
| Attractions | $100 |
| Food and drink | $280 |
| Random spending | $100 |
| Total | US $1,910 |
The above estimates are in US dollars and are meant for a single traveller. Use XE.com to see the exchange of your home currency. Since this is just an estimate, there can be some variations in cost depending on what type of traveller you are. Bermuda does have its own currency called the Bermuda dollar, which is on par with the USD. You can use either currency as they’re both accepted everywhere.
I recommend four nights here which will give you enough time to get a feel for the country and to relax. Adding a night is great if you don’t want to rush things. You could also get away with just three nights, but your schedule would likely be packed.
Keep in mind this is an independent itinerary, not a Bermuda vacation package. Vacation packages are not widely available.
Airfare
Bermuda has minimal direct flights. Major cities on the east coast of North America have direct access, and so do a few Caribbean islands. Generally speaking, you’ll want to budget about $450 for a roundtrip flight. If you’re coming from Europe, your flight will likely cost you at least $250 more.
If you’re Canadian, you may want to consider applying for one of the best travel credit cards in Canada to help offset your costs by collecting points. For example, the American Express Platinum Card gives you a generous welcome bonus that’s often worth more than $900 (potentially more if you transfer your points to Aeroplan or Marriott Bonvoy). There’s also the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite card that has no foreign transaction fees, and it comes with airport lounge access.
Accommodations
When it comes to accommodations, Bermuda has plenty of stunning properties to choose from. That said, there are a limited amount of hotels available. There’s more than enough to service the tourism industry, but sometimes people are surprised that few major hotel chains are found here. Consider this a good thing as the hotels are mostly run by locals, which is more authentic and great for the economy. You can still go with a 5-star luxury resort with a spa, but there are plenty of properties with free wifi, helpful staff, a patio and an outdoor pool.
What also surprises many people is that all-inclusive packages aren’t a thing in Bermuda. One or two hotels may offer it, but you’d likely still be better off just paying as you go for your food and drink. Plus, plenty of public beaches are available, so don’t worry about staying at a hotel with a private beach.
Where you stay in the country doesn’t matter too much as you’re going to have to take transit to get to the attractions. That said, some people prefer staying in Southampton since it puts you close to the beautiful beaches. The capital city of Hamilton is also a good choice if you’re looking for more action. Budget about $220 a night for your stay. Here are some hotel recommendations:
If you do want to splurge on a resort or fancy hotel, try one of the following:
If you want to stay longer, you may be interested in also considering vacation rentals or holiday apartments rather than hotels to save money. Just make sure you get a place with air conditioning. It gets hot!
If you have the right credit card, you can save a fair amount of money on hotels. Americans should strongly consider the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card since you can earn up to 95,000 Marriott Bonvoy points and $300 back at U.S. restaurants as a welcome bonus.
Canadians should consider the Marriott Bonvoy American Express, which gives you up to 75,000 Marriott Bonvoy points. That’s enough points for a few free nights at some hotels, which could easily have a value of over $500.
Local transportation
Bermuda’s public transportation system is excellent, so you don’t need to rely on a car rental, which is great because free parking can be tricky. You basically have the option to take the bus or ferry. There are only 11 bus routes in Bermuda, so you’ll be able to get anywhere. All the buses eventually end up at the Hamilton Central bus terminal, so getting lost is impossible.
How much you pay depends on how many zones you’re travelling but the only options to pay are three zones or 14 zones. Generally speaking, you’ll likely always need to buy a 14 zone token/ticket. You can transfer from one bus to another, but it needs to be on the next scheduled bus.
Ferries have limited service, but they obviously have a better vantage point, so you can get views of Bermuda. You can’t transfer on ferries except for the Hamilton to St. George’s via the Dockyard route.
The cost of riding buses and ferries is the same. For reference, here’s the breakdown.
- $5 – Cash fare (coins only)
- $4.50 – Tokens (14 zones)
- $37.50 – 15 Tickets (14 zones)
- $48.50 – Four day pass
How often you use public transportation in Bermuda depends on where your hotel is located and how many attractions you plan on seeing. I think for four nights, the best value is to buy the 15 tickets. If you plan on doing a lot of travel, then get the four-day pass.
Tokens, tickets, and passes can be bought at the Central bus terminal, ferry terminal, and visitor information centres. Many hotels will also sell tokens at the front desk but they do run out.
Taxis aren’t too hard to find, but they can be expensive if you keep taking them. A trip to the airport from South Shore is about $35. All in, you should budget about $100 for local transportation.
Note that if you do choose to rent a car you might be able to get a discount through your credit card with the rental company.
Attractions
The great thing about Bermuda is that most of the attractions are free. On the eastern tip of Bermuda is the historic town of St. George, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Many historical buildings are found here, including the State House and Saint Peter’s Church. On the other side of the island is the Royal Naval Dockyard. As the name implies, it was once a naval dockyard, but now it’s a tourist area that has markets, art galleries, and restaurants. If you love swimming and beaches, try Mangrove Bay, Warwick Long Bay,
Throughout the islands, you’ll find other attractions such as:
- Horseshoe Bay Beach
- Gibb’s Hill Lighthouse
- National Museum of Bermuda
- Crystal and Fantasy Caves
- Bermuda Railway Trail
- Bermuda Society of Arts
- Flatts Village
- City of Hamilton (Hamilton Parish)
- The Zoo
- The Bermuda Aquarium
It’s easy to spend nothing on Bermuda attractions, but budget $100 if you want to do a tour or excursion.
Food and drink
Food and drink are expensive in Bermuda. Everything on the island is imported so the prices can be quite high. Go to the grocery store, and a loaf of bread could easily cost you $6-8. Get used to the sticker shock before you go because there really aren’t that many ways to save money on food. Generally speaking, you’ll want to budget the following for your meals:
- Breakfast – $15
- Lunch – $25
- Dinner – $30
That’s $70 a day, but since you’re only here for four nights, that’s $280 you need to budget. I assume you’re eating at your hotel and in restaurants. There are some quick-service restaurants available, but fast food isn’t that common. There’s no McDonald’s, and there’s only one KFC on the island.
The good news is that the food in Bermuda is excellent. You won’t be disappointed if you love seafood since everything is fresh. Definitely have a fish sandwich since it’s one of the most common dishes. Spiny lobster is also a local favourite. It tastes the same as regular lobsters, but spiny lobsters don’t have claws.
Random spending
Most people don’t come to Bermuda for the shopping, but there are a surprising amount of local things that will catch your eye when you’re there. Keep an eye out for the following:
- Rum cake
- Bermuda shorts
- Glassware
- Ceramics
- Perfume
Set aside $100 for random spending. This can be used for any shopping or if you decide to do an extra excursion at the last second.
Cost to go to Bermuda
So how much does it cost to go to Bermuda? I recommend budgeting US $1,910 for a 4-night trip. While more budget-friendly destinations are available, Bermuda has a different vibe compared to the countries located in the Caribbean. There’s no doubt in my mind that once you visit, you’ll fall in love with the culture. For more travel inspiration, check out my guides to Barbados, Orlando, Bali, the Maldives, Bangkok, and Hawaii.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best time to go to Bermuda?
May to October is the best season in Bermuda, so to get the best deals and soak up some sunshine, it’s recommended that you visit in March or April. Just note it might still be cold for snorkeling and swimming.
Which country is Bermuda?
Bermuda is a British overseas territory located in the North Atlantic Ocean.
