Do we need a rental car in Nassau/Paradise Island?
 

Hi,<BR><BR>We're going to the Bahamas for the first time and wanted to find out if we need a rental car? We don't want to be limited to what we can do, are buses and taxis ready and available at anytime? Please advise. Thanks.

You wont' need a car for your stay. There are plenty of taxis, ferries, jitneys etc available for you. If you want to explore the island for a day, you can rent a scooter, or a car for 1 day. Driving in the bahamas is not easy. They drive on the left, and like maniacs. Have a great trip!

I agree there are taxi's and buses all over the place. Alot of things are in walking distance from each other.

Lots of transportation, I wouldn't bother renting a car and try driving while there! <BR><BR>Taxi fare adds up quick in the bahamas, 5 minute ride downtown nassau will run you about 15.00$ each way. Take the public bus for all day trips its $1 each way per person. They stop in front of the resorts/hotels and run thru downtown until 6pm. Water taxi's to paradise island are behind the straw market when you enter the downtown area, we were there 2 weeks last may and I want to say 5$ each way. You will love it, have fun!

I agree with other posters, no rental needed. Plus, from what we experienced in our taxi rides around the island (especially through the downtown several times) I wouldn't want to drive with those people! As one of our taxi drivers put it, &quot;I been all over de world mon, driven a taxi in big cities - different countries, dese people are de worst drivers in the world&quot;!

Thanks for all the replies. How long does the water taxi ride take to go from Nassau to Paradise Island? Can we also take a regular cab or bus? We are moving from one hotel in Nassau to another in Paradise Island and I wanted to know how to get there. <BR><BR>Tabbyday, since you were there last May, how was the weather that time of year? We're going in mid-May of this year.<BR><BR>Thanks all.

Oh another question, do taxis run 24 hours a day? Just curious because what if we decide to stay out late one night, since the buses stop operation at around 6pm, the only other means of transportation would be the cab. Are they ready and availalbe like in NY or do you have to call to reserve them? Thanks.

The water taxi's run until 8 or 9 pm I believe, it about a 15 minute ride, there is also a bridge you can take across. May is a great month to go, about 85-88 degrees everyday, and 65-70 at night. The cabs are everywhere til about 9-10pm, cant say we saw too many after that, but they do not stop, they just arent as easy to catch, you may just have the hotel call and have one waiting outside. <BR><BR>If you have any other questions one, you can email me at [email protected]<BR>

How about well into the night, let's say after 1am... Is there a number we can call to get a taxi back to our hotel or can we just get them on the streets?