Getting Around

By Taxi

The government sets the taxi rates, and the cabs are metered (or should be). Metered rates are $3 (£1.60) for the first .3km (quarter-mile) and 40¢ each additional 1.6km (1 mile). Additional passengers over the age of 2 are $3 each. If there's no meter, agree on the price with the driver in advance. You can call for a taxi, although most taxis wait at the major hotels or the cruise-ship dock to pick up passengers. One major taxi company is Freeport Taxi Company, Logwood Road (tel. 242/352-6666), open 24 hours. Another is Grand Bahama Taxi Union, at the Freeport International Airport, Old Airport Road (tel. 242/352-7101), also open 24 hours. Note: Typical taxi rates are as follows. From the Cruise Ship Harbour to: Xanadu Beach Hotel, $17 (£9); Port Lucaya Marketplace, $24 (£13); Flamingo Beach Resort/The Ritz, $24 (£13); Viva Fortuna Beach, $29 (£15). From the airport to: anywhere in Port Lucaya or Our Lucaya, $19 (£10); Viva Fortuna, $20 (£11); Royal Oasis, $11 (£5.85); Xanadu $14 (£7.40).

By Bus

Public bus service runs from the International Bazaar and downtown Freeport to the Lucaya area. The typical fare is $1 (55p) for adults, 50¢ (25p) for children. Check with the tourist office for bus schedules. There is no number to call for information.

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 branch out and explore the rest of the island (perhaps finding a more secluded beach), a rental car is the way to go. Terrain throughout Grand Bahama Island is universally flat, a fact that's appreciated by drivers trying to conserve gasoline. Try Avis (tel. 800/331-1212 or 242/332-4062; www.avis.com) or Hertz (tel. 800/654-3131 or 242/352-9250; www.hertz.com). Both of these companies maintain offices in small bungalows near the Freeport International Airport. From inside the terminal, an employee of either company will contact a colleague, who will direct you to the curb outside the luggage pickup point. There someone from the rental car company will arrive in a car or van to drive you to their pickup location.

One of the best companies is Dollar Rent-a-Car, Old Airport Road (tel. 242/352-9325; www.dollar.com), which rents everything from a new-style Kia Sportage to a VW Jetta. Rates range from $60 (£32) per day manual or from $49 (£26) for an automatic, with unlimited mileage, plus another $12 (£6.35) per day for a CDW (Collision Damage Waiver; $500/£265 deductible). Gas costs around $6.50 (£3.45) per gallon. Remember to drive on the left as British rules apply.

By Scooter

A scooter is a fun way to get around, as most of Grand Bahamas is flat with well-paved roads. Scooters can be rented at most hotels or, for cruise-ship passengers, in the Freeport Harbour area. Helmets are required and provided by the outfitter. You can find dozens of stands along the road in Freeport and Lucaya, and also in the major parking lots, charging rates ranging from $40 to $55 (£21-£29) per day.

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.