Are you looking to get around Barbados?
Barbados offers many different methods to get around Barbados for the type of transportation to suit your vacation needs.
It’s a small island – just 21 miles (34 kilometers) long by 14 miles (23 kilometers) wide, and the terrain is relatively flat, so nowhere takes too long to get to, and there’s a wide choice of transport options, to suit both your lifestyle and budget.
Car Rentals
The world is your oyster regarding renting a car and choosing the type of vehicle. From luxury vehicles with air conditioning to four-wheel drive jeeps to the smaller, open-top mini mokes, you’ll find one that will help you get around Barbados during your vacation experience.
Remember to bring your driver’s license from home, as the car rental company requires this to get you insured and issue you with a local driving permit.
Hint: In Barbados, people drive on the left-hand side of the road. Make sure you are comfortable with this before booking a car rental.
If having the freedom to drive around the island sounds appealing, why not check out the local car rental companies for more information?
Taxi
There are many taxis on the island to choose from when you wish to get around Barbados. Taxi drivers are happy to drop you from point A to B or even take you on a full island tour once you’ve settled and are in full vacation mode.
Tip: Taxis in Barbados are not metered, so make sure you agree on a fixed fee with the driver before setting off to your destination.
Licensed taxis have number plates starting with ‘Z, ‘ and the larger minibus taxis have ‘ZM’ number plates.
Note: If you get into a ZM taxi, you will be charged a taxi fare, not the price of a ZR van.
Get more information about Barbados taxi rentals.
Limousines
Finding a reputable limousine company to get around the island is not too complicated. If you want a luxurious start to your holiday, a limo might be the way to go!
Get contact details from our recommended Barbados Limousines.
Bus
These government-owned buses frequently run on a schedule and can be caught at any bus stop and terminal. They have painted the national colors blue with a horizontal yellow stripe.
The island’s bus stops are marked ‘To City’ (towards Bridgetown) and ‘Out of City’ so you can gauge which direction you are heading in.
Since April 16th, 2019, the standard bus fare has been BBD 3.50, which applies to any single/one-way trip on these buses and on the privately-owned ZR vans and minibusses detailed below.
Tip: The bus drivers do not carry money, so you must pay your fare with the correct change.
Need to know more? See our Government-owned Barbados Transport Board page for all the details.
There are two other types of buses to choose from in Barbados:
Mini-Vans
These privately-owned mini-vans are smaller than the big blue Transport Board buses, and other coaches are privately-owned. Mini-vans are painted bright yellow with a blue strip and have a “B” at the beginning of their license plates.
You can also catch these buses from any bus stops all over the island and the island bus terminals.
Fares on all buses are fixed at BBD 3.50 per trip, regardless of how far you go.
ZR Vans (pronounced Zed-R’s)
These are white privately-owned minibusses or vans that work specific routes and do not operate according to a schedule.
You’ll recognize them from the ZR letters on their license plates.
You may find these are more frequent and get you into the local way of life – there’s generally music playing, and you may even see yourself squeezed in tight between two total strangers.
This mode of transport is said to be a genuinely Bajan experience!
Sound like your kind of thing? For more information about this infamous form of island transport, see our ZR Vans page.
Airport Transport
When you arrive in Barbados, several transportation options get you to your next destination.
Again, depending on your budget and taste, you can choose from transport such as a hire car, local bus, taxi, tour coach, and even a Rolls Royce Bentley!
Note: Some accommodations offer complimentary airport transfers, so you may wish to check this out before committing yourself to any of the options above.
Cruise Terminal Transport
Cruise passengers arriving in Barbados also have some transportation options for leaving the cruise terminal.
Get Around on Island Tours
Some great tour companies operate in Barbados, each with various island tours.
May you like to try one of the more adventurous tours in an off-road 4×4 vehicle? Or, maybe you’d prefer a quieter and gentler experience on an air-conditioned coach?
Either way, the possibilities for touring the island are endless!
Find tour operator and sightseeing contact details here.
Happy traveling!
Whether you plan to use public transport buses, taxis, or rent a car while visiting Barbados, you will find the various transportation options for getting around Barbados very convenient.
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