Bermuda

Bermuda

Bermuda is a British overseas territory in the North Atlantic Ocean. Located off the east coast of the United States, its nearest landmass is Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, about to the west-northwest. It is about south of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, and northeast of Miami, Florida...

 has 150 miles (241.4 km) of private paved roads; 130 miles (209.2 km) of public paved roads; 25 miles (40.2 km) of historic, mostly unpaved railroad trail, used in parts as a scenic trail; two marine ports (Hamilton

Hamilton, Bermuda

Hamilton is the capital of the British Overseas Territory of Bermuda. It is the territory's financial centre and a major port and tourist destination.-Geography:...

 and St. George's

St. George's, Bermuda

St. George's , located on the island and within the parish of the same names, was the first permanent settlement on the islands of Bermuda, and is often described as the third successful English settlement in the Americas, after St. John's, Newfoundland, and Jamestown, Virginia. However, St...

), and one airport, the L.F. Wade International Airport, located at the former U.S. Naval Air Station. A causeway

The Causeway, Bermuda

The Causeway is a narrow strip of reclaimed land and bridges in the north of Bermuda linking Hamilton Parish on the mainland in the southwest and Bermuda International Airport on St. David's Island in St. George's Parish in the northeast, which are otherwise divided by Castle Harbour.The need for...

 links Hamilton Parish, Bermuda

Hamilton Parish, Bermuda

Hamilton Parish is one of the nine parishes of Bermuda. It was renamed for Scottish aristocrat James Hamilton, 2nd Marquess of Hamilton when he purchased the shares originally held in the Virginia Company by Lucy, Countess of Bedford.It is located in the northwest of the island chain, and is...

 to St. George's and the airport.

As in the United Kingdom

United Kingdom

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...

, traffic drives on the left, meaning that visitors from countries with right-hand traffic must take special care on Bermuda's roads.

Public transport

The Ministry of Tourism and Transport of Bermuda manages the public ferry service, "SeaExpress", and the public bus system.

Bus service

Bermuda is serviced by a bus system. From the main terminal in Hamilton eleven bus lines spread out in all directions of the island. As the island is relatively narrow and in most sections has a northern and southern route that are serviced, access to the system is usually within a short distance. The MAN busses display a pink and blue livery and stop at pink or blue markers. Visitors can obtain multiday passes that allow usage of bus and ferries.

Ferry service

SeaExpress operates four routes for ferries and boats that originate from the ferry terminal in Hamilton

Hamilton, Bermuda

Hamilton is the capital of the British Overseas Territory of Bermuda. It is the territory's financial centre and a major port and tourist destination.-Geography:...

. The "Blue Route" services the West End and the Dockyard of Sandys

Sandys Parish, Bermuda

Sandys Parish is one of the nine parishes of Bermuda. It is named for English aristocrat Sir Edwin Sandys , and hence there is no apostrophe in the name, which is pronounced "Sands"....

, the "Orange Route" links to the Dockyard and St. George's

St. George's, Bermuda

St. George's , located on the island and within the parish of the same names, was the first permanent settlement on the islands of Bermuda, and is often described as the third successful English settlement in the Americas, after St. John's, Newfoundland, and Jamestown, Virginia. However, St...

, the "Green Route" travels to Rockaway of Southampton

Southampton Parish, Bermuda

Southampton Parish is one of the nine parishes of Bermuda. It is named for Henry Wriothesley, 3rd Earl of Southampton .It is located in the southwest of the island chain, occupying all of the western part of the main island, except for the westernmost tip...

, and the "Pink Route" brings passengers to points in Paget

Paget Parish, Bermuda

Paget Parish is one of the nine parishes of Bermuda. It is named for William Paget, 4th Baron Paget de Beaudesert .The parish is located in the central south of the island chain, immediately south of Hamilton Harbor on the main island. It is joined to Warwick Parish in the southwest, and Devonshire...

 and Warwick

Warwick Parish, Bermuda

Warwick Parish is one of the nine parishes of Bermuda. It is named for Robert Rich, 2nd Earl of Warwick .It is located in the central south of the island chain, occupying part of the main island to the southeast of the Great Sound, the large expanse of water which dominates the geography of western...

. Fare for travelling by ferry is inexpensive, and allow travel for frequent travel at most hours. In 2003, high-speed catamaran

Catamaran

A catamaran is a type of multihulled boat or ship consisting of two hulls, or vakas, joined by some structure, the most basic being a frame, formed of akas...

 ferry service was introduced.

Private cars and taxis

Cars were not allowed in Bermuda until 1946. Today Bermuda has a large number of private cars, almost one for every two inhabitants; however, only residents are allowed to drive them. This is largely because, with close to 300,000 visitors a year, allowing car rental

Car rental

A car rental or car hire agency is a company that rents automobiles for short periods of time for a fee...

 on one of the world's most densely populated islands would quickly bring traffic to a standstill, as well as bankrupt the island's taxi industry. Car prices are much higher than in the United States, Canada, and Europe, due to heavy import duties, and residents are also limited to one car per household. The size of cars is also restricted (due to the narrow and winding roads on Bermuda), meaning that many models popular in the United States, Canada, and Europe are not available in Bermuda. Only the Governor

Governor

A governor is a governing official, usually the executive of a non-sovereign level of government, ranking under the head of state...

 and Premier

Premier

Premier is a title for the head of government in some countries and states.-Examples by country:In many nations, "premier" is used interchangeably with "prime minister"...

 are exempt from these restrictions.

There is no car hire (car rental); visitors may only rent low-power motor scooters; they may also use the extensive public bus system, or take taxis. The highest speed limit anywhere on the island is 35 km/h (approximately 20 mph), and it is lower in built-up and other congested areas.

For groups visiting Bermuda, minibuses capable of carrying 15 or more, offer private transportation and tours. This service offers families and other groups, of over 6 people, the opportunity to remain together as they enjoy Bermuda, one such company is: http://www.winsometransport.com

Railways

The Bermuda Railway

Bermuda Railway

The Bermuda Railway was a common carrier line that operated in Bermuda for a brief period . In its 17 years of existence, the railway provided frequent passenger and freight service over its length spanning most of the archipelago from St...

 provided rail passenger and freight service from St. George's to Somerset in Sandys Parish

Sandys Parish, Bermuda

Sandys Parish is one of the nine parishes of Bermuda. It is named for English aristocrat Sir Edwin Sandys , and hence there is no apostrophe in the name, which is pronounced "Sands"....

, via Hamilton, beginning in 1931, but it was replaced by bus service and dismantled in 1948. Much of the old railway right-of-way has been converted to the "Bermuda Railway Trail" for hiking and biking.

Roadways

total:
447 km

paved:
447 km

note:
public roads - 225 km; private roads - 222 km (2007)

Ports and harbours

Hamilton, Saint George, and Dockyard (in Sandys Parish

Sandys Parish, Bermuda

Sandys Parish is one of the nine parishes of Bermuda. It is named for English aristocrat Sir Edwin Sandys , and hence there is no apostrophe in the name, which is pronounced "Sands"....

). Large cruise ships dock at the Dockyard at the northwestern end of the island.

Merchant marine

Bermuda is a flag of convenience

Flag of convenience

The term flag of convenience describes the business practice of registering a merchant ship in a sovereign state different from that of the ship's owners, and flying that state's civil ensign on the ship. Ships are registered under flags of convenience to reduce operating costs or avoid the...

 registry.

Airports

Airports - with paved runways:

Bermuda International Airport

Bermuda International Airport

L.F. Wade International Airport , formerly named Bermuda International Airport, is the sole airport serving Bermuda, a British overseas territory in the North Atlantic Ocean. It is located in the parish of St. George's and is northeast of Bermuda's capital city of Hamilton. In 2006, L.F. Wade...

total:

1
length:
3,047 m (10,000 ft)

The airport is served by the public bus service.

External links

• Travel: Transport on Bermuda - Discover Bermuda, Official Site of the Bermuda Department of Tourism