Bermuda for First-Time Visitors: A Practical Guide (Entry, Money, Getting Around, Data)

Last checked 12 October 2026

This guide is general information, not legal, immigration or tax advice. Some links may be affiliate links. See our disclosure.

Bermuda isn’t in the Caribbean. It’s in the North Atlantic, and it has its own rules on entry, money and getting around. This is the practical guide we’d want before a first trip.

Entry rules

For British citizens, according to the FCDO (gov.uk):

• no visa needed for visits of up to 180 days in any 12 months,
• your passport must be valid for the whole stay,
• carry a return or onward ticket, and possibly proof of accommodation,
• complete the Bermuda arrival card online and download it, or fill in a paper copy on arrival (not needed if you arrive by cruise ship),
• declare cash over BMD 10,000,
• carry medication in its prescribed packaging, with the prescription.

Other nationalities should check their own government’s advice.

Getting there

• From the UK: BA flies direct from London Heathrow (flightsfrom.com).
• From the US: the tourism board says Bermuda is about 90 minutes from New York and two to three hours from cities such as Boston, Atlanta, Miami and Philadelphia (gotobermuda.com).
• Compare fares and routings on Aviasales (affiliate link). Connecting through the US can sometimes be cheaper than flying direct.

Money

• The Bermuda dollar is pegged 1:1 to the US dollar, and US dollars are widely used. Check with your bank about foreign transaction fees.
• When a card terminal asks whether to pay in GBP or USD, choose USD to avoid poor conversion rates.
• It’s expensive. Numbeo contributors put a meal at an inexpensive restaurant at about $50, a pint at about $7.50 and a cappuccino at about $6.20 (numbeo.com).

Getting around

• No rental cars. Non-residents can’t rent or drive ordinary four-wheeled vehicles (US Consulate).
• Minicars: small two-seater minicars can be rented from licensed operators, so check their age and licence requirements when you book.
• Scooters are widely rented, but the US Consulate calls them the island’s “greatest road peril” (US Consulate).
• Ferries leave from Front Street in Hamilton, and a transportation pass gives unlimited rides for one to seven days (National Geographic).
• Speed limits are 35 km/h on most roads and 25 km/h in St George’s, Dockyard and at the airport. Driving is on the left.

More: cars, bikes and mopeds.

Staying connected

• OneComm Tourist eSIM: $5 for 1 day/1GB up to $50 for 30 days/25GB, with a local number (onecomm.bm).
• International eSIMs such as Airalo (affiliate link) (from $6.50 for 1GB) can be set up before you fly (airalo.com).
• Full comparison: best eSIM for Bermuda.

Travel insurance

The NHS won’t pay for treatment in Bermuda. Get travel insurance with medical and evacuation cover, and check it covers activities such as riding a scooter. EKTA (affiliate link) is one travel insurer worth comparing. This is holiday travel cover, not health insurance for living in Bermuda. If you’re moving, see health insurance for residents.

What to see (a starting list)

• City of Hamilton: Front Street, restaurants, shops and museums (National Geographic).
• Town of St George’s: a UNESCO World Heritage Site and with historic churches and streets.
• Royal Naval Dockyard: the West End’s maritime hub, with shopping and dining.
• The beaches: Bermuda’s pink-sand beaches are its best-known sight (National Geographic).

The official tourism site, gotobermuda.com, has current events and opening times.

Practical tips

• Plugs: Bermuda uses US-style sockets, so bring a UK-to-US adaptor and check your chargers are dual-voltage.
• Customs: read the traveller declaration rules on gov.bm before bringing in food, plants, alcohol or tobacco.

Thinking of moving?

Use your trip as a recce. Our visiting before you move guide has a five-day plan, and moving to Bermuda from the UK covers everything else.

Sources checked 12 October 2026.