When we flew into Nassau, we weren’t quite prepared for the best way to get from the airport to Baha Mar. Learn from our mistakes! Breeze through Lynden Pindling International Airport (NAS) and get your Baha Mar vacation started with no stress!
We figured it’d be simple. Walk out of the airport, hop in a taxi, and be on our way. But instead, Zuzu & I ran into confusing signs, drivers quoting totally different prices, and no clear direction on what was actually legit.
Fortunately, it’s easy to avoid the confusion if you know what to expect. Here’s exactly how to get from Nassau Airport to Baha Mar, what it should cost, and why we ended up skipping the taxi line for a better option.
Transportation Options from NAS Airport
Once you exit the Nassau airport, there are four main ways to get to Baha Mar:
- Taxi (best option for most people)
- Private car or limo (best for stops or comfort)
- Pre-arranged shuttle (limited, mostly for groups or certain hotels)
- Rental car (only if you plan to explore the island alot)
While there’s a fifth option for Nassau transportation (the local Jitney buses), they don’t serve the airport. Jitneys are a great option to explore Nassau, but you’ll need a different method to get to and from the airport.
Oh, and there’s no ride share services like Uber in Nassau.
Before you arrive, make sure to read our complete review of the Nassau Airport!
Get a Taxi at the Nassau Airport
Even though we did something different, I think most people should get a taxi.
After you pass through customs and exit the terminal, the taxi line is just across the small pickup area.
But here’s a few things that can mess you up:
- No clear signage on where to line up for a taxi.
- No taxi dispatcher booth.
- No uniform or hat on the “official” person pairing tourists with taxis.
- She only stood out because she was yelling the loudest, lol.
- Official taxi rates sign is wrong.
Compared to the chaos of the Cancun airport, Nassau’s taxi scene is mild. But clearer signage and up-to-date taxi rates would make things a lot easier, especially if it’s your first time visiting the Bahamas.
How to Get a Taxi at Nassau Airport
Once you identify the “official” taxi person, tell them if you have special needs like a taxi with a baby car seat, extra space for a large group, or if you need to pay for a taxi with a credit card. In our case, I asked about a grocery store stop.
She paired us with a taxi & I asked the driver about stopping at a grocery store on the way to the resort. We wanted to load up with with snacks & drinks to save money at the Baha Mar resort. On top of the standard $30 taxi fare, I was quoted $1.25-1.50 per minute to wait!
Since I didn’t know how long would it take me to shop, I found that a private car for hire was a better option.
Nassau Taxis: Size, Condition & Comfort
Taxis in Nassau are a mixed bag. Some are relatively new minivans or SUVs. Others are tiny, worn down, and honestly a little gross. We saw both extremes in the airport line.
It seemed like the vast majority of taxis in Nassau are minivans.
When we took a taxi from Baha Mar back to the airport at the end of our trip, the car was old but fine. A little beat up, but it got the job done… and it had a bonus ashtray from 1996!
Do Taxis in Nassau Take Credit Cards?
Most don’t. If you’re leaving the airport, you can tell the dispatcher that you need a taxi that accepts credit cards. But it’s not a guarantee so doublecheck before you get in the cab.
We found it easier to just assume we’d need cash for taxis so you should factor this in when you decide how much cash to take to Baha Mar.
Taxi Fare from Grand Hyatt Baha Mar to Nassau Airport
At the end of our trip, we took a standard taxi from the Grand Hyatt to NAS. We confirmed the rate in advance and paid $30 total for the ride.
Just for reference, here are the posted taxi fares from Baha Mar to the airport and other major areas near Baha Mar (note: some drivers say these are outdated):
- Lynden Pindling Airport – $29
- Lyford Cay – $40
- Downtown – $24
- Paradise Island – $30
- Coral Harbor – $33
- Marathon – $42
- South Beach / Pinewood – $24
- Mt. Pleasant – $35
- Montague Shores – $32
- South Ocean – $50
These are per vehicle, not per person. Always confirm the total cost before you get in the cab. And if you want to make a stop, make sure to ask what the wait fee will be.
Should You Tip Taxi Drivers in Nassau?
Tipping isn’t required, but we usually tip $5–$10 if the driver is helpful or friendly. For our limo ride, we tipped Theodore $20 because he was awesome.
If your driver helps with luggage or makes an extra stop for you, I think you should definitely hand them a tip.
Check out our complete guide to tipping at resorts!
We Hired a Private Car/Limo
While I think a taxi is (for most people) the best way to get from the Nassau airport to Baha Mar, it didn’t work for us. Here’s why.
If you’re reading this, you probably know that Baha Mar is CRAZY expensive.
Stopping at a grocery store is one of our top tips on How to Save Money at Baha Mar so we knew that would be important.
We originally planned to take a taxi for the ~$35 ride from the airport to Baha Mar, but we started asking if a grocery store stop was included in the rate.
Uh, no.
Taxis in Nassau usually charge an extra $1.25 to $1.50 per minute if you ask them to wait.
So instead of gambling on how long we’d be inside the store, and risking an expensive surprise, we took a private black car.
The driver, Theodore, quoted us $50 for the whole trip, including a stop at the full-sized SuperValue grocery store. It ended up being a great choice: he was friendly, the car was clean and comfortable, and he even poured Zuzu a complimentary glass of wine while I was shopping.
Theodore said this SuperValue grocery wasn’t a tourist trap. It’s where he and other locals shop. Prices were higher than back in the US but waaay cheaper than at Baha Mar.
Pro Tip: At the airport, taxi drivers say they must charge the posted rate (or higher), but private car services can negotiate. That’s why our limo from the Nassau airport to Baha Mar ended up being a better deal.
Next time we visit Bahamas, we’ll probably grab a taxi cab from the airport and use a grocery delivery service instead of stopping at a store.
Should You Rent a Car in Nassau?
For most people staying at Baha Mar, we don’t think a rental car is a good idea.
Taxis are pretty easy to get, especially to and from the airport or the downtown area. And if you’re feeling adventurous, the local Jitney buses are a surprisingly fun and cheap way to explore Nassau. They’re just $1.25 per ride. The only downside is that Jitney service stops around 5 PM.
If you’re planning to stay on property most of the time, or only venture out once or twice, a rental car is probably more hassle than it’s worth.
You’ll spend time parking, have to navigate unfamiliar roads, and deal with locals that might not respect the rules of the road. And for some, driving on the left-hand side of the road will be the biggest issue. That’s not a dealbreaker for us. We’ve done it before in places like Saint Martin and Turks and Caicos. Zuzu has a lot of practice saying “Left, Left, Left” when we make a turn or come to a roundabout.
If you do decide to rent a car, the process is easy. The rental car desks (Hertz, Avis, Budget, Dollar/Thrifty) are located just past the taxi line outside the terminal at Nassau Airport.
Parking a Rental Car at Baha Mar
During our visit, self-parking was free at the Grand Hyatt, but check ahead in case they’ve started charging. Valet is also available if you prefer that.
Unless you’re planning to explore multiple parts of the island or want total flexibility, don’t get a rental car. Between taxis, jitneys, and the walkability of the Baha Mar property, most people can skip the rental and still get everywhere they need to go.
Is There Uber in Nassau?
Nope. Ride share services like Uber and Lyft don’t operate in the Bahamas. Your only options to catch a ride are taxis, private cars, pre-arranged shuttles and the Jitney buses.
Getting to Baha Mar Doesn’t Have to Be Complicated
There’s no Uber. The posted taxi fares might be out of date. And the official taxi line at the airport is a little confusing.
But if you’re prepared and ask questions up front, getting to Baha Mar is actually pretty easy.
- Confirm the rate before getting in
- Ask about extra fees (waiting, luggage, etc.)
- Bring cash (most taxis don’t take cards)
More Nassau & Resort Posts:
Want to learn more about our fantastic (and cheap) trip to Nassau? Check out these blog posts and have an even better time in Nassau than we did!
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