By Taxi
The government sets the taxi rates, and the cabs are metered (or should be). Metered rates are $3 for the first .3km ( 1/4 mile) and 40¢ for each additional 1.6km (1 mile). Extra passengers over the age of 2 pay $3 each. If there's no meter, agree on a price with the driver in advance. Typical taxi rates from the cruise dock are as follows: Xanadu Beach Hotel, $23; Port Lucaya Marketplace, $28; Flamingo Beach Resort, $27; and Viva Fortuna Beach, $34. Rates from the airport are as follows: Port Lucaya or Our Lucaya, $23; Viva Fortuna, $25; Royal Oasis, $22; and Xanadu $18.
You can call for a taxi, though most cabs wait at the big hotels or the cruise dock to pick up passengers. One major dispatcher is Freeport Taxi Company, Logwood Road (tel. 242/352-6666), open 24 hours. Another is Grand Bahama Taxi Union, at Grand Bahama International Airport, Old Airport Road (tel. 242/352-7101), also open 24 hours.
By Car
If you plan to confine your exploration to the center of Freeport, with its International Bazaar, and Lucaya, with its beaches, you can rely on public transportation. However, if you'd like to explore the rest of the island (perhaps to find a more secluded beach), a rental car is the way to go. Terrain here is universally flat, a fact that's appreciated by drivers trying to conserve gasoline. Try Avis (tel. 800/331-1212 or 242/332-7666; www.avis.com) or Hertz (tel. 800/654-3131 or 242/352-9250; www.hertz.com), which both maintain offices in small bungalows near Grand Bahama International Airport. From inside the terminal, an employee of either company will contact a colleague, who will direct you to the curb outside the baggage pickup point. Then someone will arrive in a company car or van to drive you to the car pickup location.
One of the best companies is Dollar Rent-a-Car, Old Airport Road (tel. 800/800-3665 or 242/352-9325; www.dollar.com), which rents everything from a new Kia Sportage to a VW Jetta. Rates start at $60 per day for a car with a manual transmission, or $75 for an automatic. Mileage is unlimited, but the collision damage waiver (CDW) costs another $17 per day ($350 deductible). Remember to drive on the left, as British rules apply.
By Bus
Public bus service runs from the International Bazaar and downtown Freeport to Lucaya. The typical fare is $1.50 for adults, 50¢ for children. Check with the Grand Bahama Tourism Board for bus schedules; there is no number to call for information.
By Scooter
A scooter is a fun way to get around, as most of Grand Bahama is flat with well-paved roads. Scooters can be rented at most hotels or, for cruise-ship passengers, in the Freeport Harbour area. You can also find dozens of stands along the roads in Freeport and Lucaya, as well as in major parking lots, charging from $40 to $65 per day. Helmets are required and provided by the outfitter.
On Foot
You can explore the center of Freeport or Lucaya on foot, but if you want to venture into the East End or West End, you'll need to rent a car, hire a taxi, or try Grand Bahama's erratic public transportation.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
