For families visiting Bermuda, the multi-day transportation pass is usually the most sensible option. A 3-day adult pass costs $44 and covers unlimited bus and ferry rides across all zones, with children’s passes at $22. But the best choice depends on your stay length, where you’re based, and how often you plan to move around the island. The Bermuda government’s published fare structure gives you several ways to pay, and each suits a different travel style.
How the Pass System Works
The government sells transportation passes for 1, 2, 3, 4, or 7 days, plus monthly and 3-month options for longer stays. These passes work on both buses and ferries, covering all 14 transport zones with no additional charges. You buy the pass, activate it on your first use day, and ride as much as you want until it expires.
Passes are available at Visitor Services Centres in Dockyard, Hamilton, and St. George’s, at the main bus terminal in Hamilton, and at select hotels and sub-post offices. You can also purchase them digitally through the Shorelink app, which stores everything on your phone and eliminates the need for paper cards or metal tokens.
One thing to note: passes activate on the first day you use them and run for consecutive days. You cannot skip days, so a 3-day pass used Monday through Wednesday covers exactly those three days even if you don’t ride on Tuesday. For cruise passengers whose ships typically dock for three days, a 2-day pass often makes more sense, leaving the third day for exploring within walking distance of Dockyard.
| Pass Duration | Adult Price | Child Price (5–15) | Cost Per Day (Adult) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 day | $19.00 | $9.50 | $19.00 |
| 2 days | $31.50 | $16.00 | $15.75 |
| 3 days | $44.00 | $22.00 | $14.67 |
| 4 days | $48.50 | $24.50 | $12.13 |
| 7 days | $62.00 | $31.00 | $8.86 |
Prices are as listed on the government’s fare page. Children under 5 ride free on both buses and ferries. No monthly or 3-month passes are available for children.
When a Pass Saves You Money
The pass pays for itself if you make four or more bus or ferry journeys per day. A single round trip from Dockyard to Hamilton by ferry costs $10 per adult ($5 each way), so a 1-day pass at $19 covers that plus additional trips at no extra cost. For a family combining a ferry crossing with bus trips to the beach or to Crystal Caves, the pass quickly becomes the cheaper option.
If you’re only making one or two trips per day, paying cash or using tokens may work out cheaper. Cash fares for adults run $3.50 for short (3-zone) bus trips and $5.00 for longer (14-zone) trips, with ferry fares at $5.00 for most routes. Children aged 5–15 pay $2.75 per ride regardless of distance. Tokens reduce each fare by $0.50 to $0.75 per ride and can be purchased at Visitor Services Centres.
For families staying a week or more who plan frequent but not daily journeys, a book of 15 tickets offers another middle ground. A 14-zone ticket book costs $37.50 for adults and $9.50 for children, working out to $2.50 per adult ride compared to $5.00 cash. Tickets must be purchased at the Hamilton bus terminal office, which may not be convenient if you’re based at Dockyard.
How Buses and Ferries Actually Work
Bermuda’s bus network has 11 routes, all originating at the Central Bus Terminal in Hamilton. The island is divided into 14 transport zones, each roughly two miles long. Most tourist destinations require a 14-zone fare, though a 3-zone fare covers shorter distances like from Dockyard to West Whale Bay or from Hamilton to Gibbs Hill Lighthouse. The zone and transfer guide explains which zones cover which areas.
Bus stops are marked with color-coded poles: pink poles mean the bus is heading toward Hamilton, blue poles mean it’s heading away from Hamilton. This is a simple system once you know it, and it helps you confirm you’re waiting on the correct side of the road.
Route 7 is the most useful for visitors based at Dockyard. It runs along the South Shore past Horseshoe Bay, Warwick Long Bay, and Jobson’s Cove, then continues to Hamilton. The ride from Dockyard to Horseshoe Bay takes about 25 to 30 minutes. Route 8 follows a similar path via Middle Road and reaches some of the same beaches. The official route and schedule page lists stops and frequencies for all 11 routes.
For the eastern end of the island, including St. George’s and Crystal Caves, you have two options from Dockyard: take the seasonal Orange Route ferry directly to St. George’s (about 45 minutes), or take the Blue Route ferry to Hamilton (about 20 minutes) and transfer to a bus heading east.
Ferries run on four color-coded routes. The Blue Route connects Dockyard and Hamilton year-round, with frequent service throughout the day. The Orange Route connects Dockyard and St. George’s but operates only in summer, with limited sailings. The Pink and Green routes serve commuter stops and are less relevant for most visitors.
Transfers between bus routes are free if you ask the driver for a transfer slip when boarding. The slip is valid for a continuous trip within a 15-minute window at connecting points. Pass holders don’t need transfer slips since their pass already covers unlimited rides.
Family Logistics
Children under 5 ride free on both buses and ferries, which simplifies things for families with toddlers. Children aged 5 to 15 pay reduced fares across all payment methods. Strollers and wheelchairs are allowed on ferries, and crew members assist with boarding. Bus accessibility varies across the fleet, so if you’re traveling with a wheelchair, checking the specific route and bus type in advance is worthwhile.
The ferry from Dockyard to Hamilton is a 20-minute ride and generally the smoothest way to reach the capital. From there, it’s a short walk to the bus terminal where you can connect to routes heading east or south. For beach days, Route 7 from Dockyard drops you near Horseshoe Bay and several other South Shore beaches. Tell the driver which beach you want, and they’ll announce the stop.
Buses can get crowded when cruise ships are in port, especially mid-morning and mid-afternoon. If you’re heading to the beach, an early start helps you avoid the rush and gives you more time before the return queues build. Ferry service can be suspended during inclement weather, and the Causeway (the only road to the airport) can close during high winds. Checking the Shorelink app or asking at your hotel for current conditions is a good habit, especially if you have a flight to catch.
Buses only accept exact change in coins for cash fares. Drivers cannot make change and do not accept paper currency. If you’re paying cash, carry a mix of Bermudian and US coins (accepted at par). Passes are transferable, meaning anyone in your group can use them, but because they’re consecutive-day passes, you cannot use a 3-day pass for Monday, Wednesday, and Friday with gaps in between.
Choosing the Right Pass for Your Trip
For a 3-day cruise stop at Dockyard, a 2-day pass at $31.50 per adult covers your first two days of active exploration. On day three, you can stay near Dockyard and visit the National Museum of Bermuda, the Clocktower Mall, and Snorkel Park Beach without needing transport. A 3-day Bermuda itinerary can help you plan which days to use the pass.
For a week-long land stay with a rental cottage, a 7-day pass at $62 per adult gives you the freedom to explore the full island without thinking about fares. The convenience alone is worth the premium over buying tickets. For a long weekend of four days, a 4-day pass at $48.50 per adult covers your entire stay and works out to about $12 per day per adult—less than a single round trip to the beach.
For families who prefer not to commit to a pass, tokens offer a small saving over cash without requiring a pass. They’re available at Visitor Services Centres and work on both buses and ferries. A 14-zone token costs $4.50 versus $5.00 cash. The Shorelink app adds another layer of convenience: it lets you buy passes, tokens, or tickets on your phone, so you don’t need to find a Visitor Services Centre before your first ride. The app requires cell service on the island, which means either a local SIM or an international roaming plan.
Reader Questions
Can I use a transportation pass for just a few days with gaps in between?
No. Passes activate on your first use day and run for consecutive days. A 3-day pass covers three straight days, not three separate days spread across a week. If your plans have gaps, tokens or a ticket book may work better.
Is it cheaper to pay cash or buy a pass for a family of four?
It depends on how many trips you make. For a family of two adults and two children (ages 5–15) making four or more journeys per day, a pass saves money. For one or two trips per day, cash or tokens are cheaper. The break-even point is roughly three to four rides per person per day.
What happens if the ferry is cancelled due to weather?
Ferry service can be suspended during high winds or storms. If that happens, you can take a bus instead (your pass still works on buses). For the Dockyard-to-Hamilton route, buses run overland via Route 7 or 8. Checking the Shorelink app or asking at your hotel for current conditions before heading out is a good idea.
References
Public Transportation Fares. Government of Bermuda.
Bus Routes and Schedule. Government of Bermuda.
Bus Zones and Transfers. Government of Bermuda.
Shorelink App. Government of Bermuda.
