Cheap flights to Bermuda

Bermuda Travel Guide

Blue seas, pink-tinged sands and a balmy climate are what await tourists stepping off cheap flights to Bermuda. Add to that more golf courses per square mile than anywhere else in the world, historical parishes, fantastic diving and friendly people and Bermuda is heaven on earth.

The 20-square-mile island in the North Atlantic is composed of about 180 islands, connected by bridges and divided into nine parishes. It has a very British way of doing things. It is, after all, a British overseas territory, albeit one with a high degree of self-rule. Culturally, Bermuda is an exciting mix of colonial history and African heritage. The business end of Bermuda may be British, but its music and dance have African influences.

The history of Bermuda can be enjoyed at leisure. The Town of St. George is the oldest English-speaking colonial town still in existence and the former capital of Bermuda. A World Heritage site, it is famous for its town square and harbor and very British street names, like Petticoat Alley and Old Maid’s Lane. Hamilton is capital now, home to the government, courts and several international companies.

Prior to establishing official status as a North American country, Spanish and Portuguese ships used the islands of Bermuda as a replenishment spot for fresh meat and water. However, legends of spirits and devils, and a continual pattern of storms and devastating island conditions, kept sailors from settling in Bermuda. The island was dubbed the “Isle of Devils,” and it wasn’t until the mid-1600s that travelers finally settled here. But don’t let the stories fool you into not booking a flight to Bermuda. Today, travelers booking trips to Bermuda explore an underwater world full of sea wrecks and coral reefs. Swim with a school of fish and explore undersea caves in what some consider to be the best scuba diving in North America. For visitors not quite ready for an underground expedition, there is much to see near the top of the water so grab some snorkeling gear and start swimming. Once back on land, take advantage of Bermuda’s historic attractions including the Royal Navy Dockyard and Museum, the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute, the Botanical Gardens, numerous lighthouses and the Crystal Caves. Whatever your reason for booking Bermuda flights and activities, take time to explore the beauty of Bermuda. Book a flight to Bermuda for a perfect balance of class and relaxation.

Getting to and around Bermuda

Bermuda is a small island and public transportation is limited. There are no hire cars or trains, so bus, ferry, taxi or moped are the only options.

Ferries are certainly the most enjoyable and relaxing way to get around. Enjoy the views, enjoy life on the ocean wave, and, often, get to your destination quicker than you would by bus. There are three year-round ferry services linking Hamilton-Paget-Warwick, Hamilton-Rockaway and Hamilton-West End (Somerset)-Dockyard. There are also high-speed catamarans that ply the seas in summer.

The bus network is good, though the buses aren’t speedy. The cheapest way to use them is to get a bus pass, which you can buy in Hamilton or St George. The bus system consists of pink and blue air-conditioned buses. Tokens, tickets and passes are available from the PTB Central Terminal in Hamilton and at several hotels and guest houses and from the Visitors Service Bureau.

Though cars are not available to hire for foreigners, mopeds are. This is a popular way of getting around for many tourists, but do take care on the roads, which have sharp turns and are not always well covered.

In Hamilton and St George you can also take a horse-drawn carriage to your destination.

Tips for your stay in Bermuda

• The main town on Bermuda is Hamilton. Often referred to simply as “town” by the islanders, Hamilton has restaurants, museums and galleries. Most of the buildings along the seafront are painted pink, white or blue. There is plenty to see either for a day trip or a longer stay. The best way to find out about the town is just to take a stroll.
• For the pinkest sand in Bermuda, head to South Shore Park, 1.5 miles of public beaches with shining pink sand. Most famous of all the beaches there, and most photographed, is Horseshoe Bay. There is a Beach House with snacks and drinks and you can rent snorkeling equipment. The beach is staffed by lifeguards from May to October. The beach can become very crowded; head for the cove on the western side for a bit more tranquility.
• Bermuda used to have a railway, though it is not working today. For 17 years (1931-48) there was a train line that ran between Sandy’s Parish to St George’s Parish. Today, the lines of the old track have been designated as a national park and you can walk the trail. Take in the railway museum (entrance is free) along the way.
• The famous Bermuda shorts are taken seriously in the country of their origin. Not just for casual wear, the shorts are also worn by businessmen, along with a blazer, shirt and tie.
• Golf courses abound on the island. There are ten to choose from. The most popular is Port Royal, which has a backdrop of Whale Bay and the blue seas. It is regularly voted one of the top golf courses worldwide, so book in advance if you want to play a round. Others include the Mid-Ocean Club, Port Royal, Castle Harbor, St. George’s and Riddell Bay.
• Snorkeling and diving are both popular off the beaches in Bermuda. There are more than 400 wrecks around the island, a huge coral reef and plenty of underwater life to spy on. Look out for turtles. There a total of seven sea turtle species recognized in the world, and Bermuda’s seas hold five of them.
• The island’s most popular visitor attraction is the Royal Naval Dockyard. Built by the British, using slaves and convicts shipped from England, it was intended to be the “Gibraltar of the West”. The dockyard remained a major Atlantic outpost for the British until 1951. Today, it includes the Bermuda Maritime Museum and Dolphin Quest and a shopping center, the Clocktower Mall.
• Bermuda has a diverse arts scene. There are several galleries including the Bermuda National Gallery, which houses the national art collection, the Desmond Fountain Gallery, the Dockyard Glassworks and Picturesque, which showcases Roland Skinner’s portfolio.
• The greatest concentration of those pink-tinged beaches are in South Shore Park, the coastal park that runs from Warwick Long Bay to Horseshoe Bay. Notable spots include Jobson Cove and Chaplin Bay. Travelers booking cheap flights to Bermuda should remember that nude and semi-nude bathing is not permitted in Bermuda.
• Other attractions include the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo, Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute, the Botanical Gardens, lighthouses, and the Crystal Caves with its impressive stalactites and underground saltwater pools.

Finding Flights from Bermuda

From Bermuda, you can fly nonstop to New York, Boston, Miami, Toronto and Philadelphia, making connections in those cities to get anywhere else you want to go.

To get to the airport in Bermuda, you should plan on taking a taxi or an airport shuttle. Don’t count on using public transportation, which requires not just cash but coins (no bills accepted), and which won’t let you board with luggage larger than a backpack or handbag.