Important Things To Do Upon Your Arrival in Bermuda
Before your Bermuda vacation begins, there are a few things to take care of. Don't worry, it's all easy. Here's a guide to your first hour in Bermuda.
- Travel Tips
So your plane has landed in Bermuda – and the ultimate island getaway is just steps away!
But hold on just a minute: there are a few key things to know about getting from the L.F. Wade International Airport to your accommodations in a smooth fashion. Have no fear, it’s all very easy. You’ll be sinking your toes into our legendary pink sand beaches, Rum Swizzle in hand, in no time.
The Proper Papers
There are a couple of forms necessary for your arrival in Bermuda.
Of course, you’ll need your passport and a round-trip ticket! This applies to adults as well as children/infants travelling alone or with their parents.
All travellers, within 48 hours of their arrival, must complete the Bermuda travel authorisation process online.
Every traveller arriving in Bermuda must complete a Customs Traveller Declaration (CTD) Form – you should be given one while on your plane, but they are also available at the immigration desk in the airport. If you’re travelling with your family, only one declaration form is necessary – your three-year-old does not need to fill one out!
If you’re having too much fun (hey, it happens), and can’t stand to leave Bermuda when you planned, you’ll need to fill out a Visitors Extension Application.
Note: As of 2014, Bermuda entry visas and visa waivers will no longer be required for tourist and business visitors and work permit holders.
Island Time
Good to know when you land: OK, your flight was two hours … so what time is it in Bermuda? Bermuda runs on Greenwich Mean Time minus four hours. So when you get to Bermuda, you’ll be one hour ahead of the US east coast, two hours ahead of Chicago, four hours ahead of Los Angeles. Accordingly, you’ll be four hours behind London and five hours behind Munich. Don’t worry, you’ll be on “island time” in no time.
Baggage Exam
Once you’ve gone to baggage claim and collected your things, there are two lanes marked GO and STOP. GO/Green is for the people who don’t have to claim for customs clearance. Stop is for the folks who do. Be sure to pick the right lane. This is simply in order to avoid unwanted items from making their way onto our shores, and shouldn’t take too long.
Have questions about what you can and can’t bring to Bermuda? Check out our Customs Regulations info page.
Cash-In, Cash-Out
Good to remember before you leave the airport: Legal tender in Bermuda is the Bermuda dollar, which trades at the same rate as the US dollar and carries the same symbol ($). Bermuda and US currencies are accepted interchangeably, but change is almost always given in Bermudian currency.
Getting to Your Hotel
In other destinations, you might now head to a rental car desk. Not in Bermuda.
Because of its small size, and to keep pollution at a minimum, rental cars are not permitted in Bermuda. Fun fact: Bermudians are only allowed one car per household. But you can easily hire a taxi curbside outside the airport who can whisk you off to your destination. All you have to do is raise your hand and one will come right up.
Think of your taxi driver as the first of many friendly Bermudian guides who are eager to help you have the vacation of your dreams, telling you about island culture, must-see landmarks and the best places to eat. Get more info on taxis (and all other forms of Bermuda ground transportation) here.
There, that wasn’t too hard, was it? Now you’re ready to enjoy everything Bermuda has to offer. Book today or call 1-800-Bermuda for more information.
