Nassau Airport - How Bad Is It?
 

Have read several postings on the check-in/customs/security lines and how long they take to clear. How bad is it? Is it worth spending and extra $200 each to change our route to Eleuthra? Right now our Cont'l flight terminates at Nassau. Overnight. Fly out on Bahamas Air in the am. If the airport is that big of a pain, we may spend the $ to fly direct from Fort Lauderdale or Miami.

Is it worth it to avoid Nassau airport?

Thanks

I dont' know where you hear this stuff. I've traveled into this airport at least 40 times in the past couple of years, and have never had a delay (other than due to storms) When you arrive, you fill out a immigration form, get in line and 10 minutes later you head to the luggage carousel, maybe another 5 minute wait for your luggage and your outta there.
Flying out, quite the same. Get there when you are supposed to 1 hour for intrabahamas, 2 hours for international, and you will go thru with no more problem then any other airport. Check in, go thru customs, immigration and clear security. This whole process shouldn't take more thatn 1/2 hour. 10 minutes if you get there on time.
Inter-island is even less of a hassle, but you must arrive an hour in advance (just like in the states).


Nassau Airport is NO different than any other international airport. You have to go thru the same procedures.
I don't know what all the fuss is about.

Thanks Tamara.
My comments are based on postings on this forum by travelers who had problems or just long, long lines --- I don't know. They just made comments of avoiding Nassau airport when traveling to the other islands when possible. Its my first trip to the Bahamas so I am just reading everyone's comments.

Thanks for the imput. Sounds like you are a seasoned veteran in the Bahamas. Any suggestions for Harbour Island or Eleuthra?

Sheila

Never experienced long lines at all, never had to wait more than 15 min on aly line anywhere. They like to get you to the airport early so you buy gift store stuff, I think.

I have found the customs agents to be A-holes. One agent grilled me on my engagement ring. It was just the way he stated it- "that's one big sparkling ring you have there---" My husbannd had to tell him where he got it, when he got it... very sarcastic, and not very nice. I guess they will put anything in a uniform.

Turn your jewelery around.....

Annabel
How funny! We had the same problem years ago coming into Miami with jewelry! You would think with all the flash in Miami that wouldn't be a big deal. Ours was just an uptight agent. He was bored.

I guess the Nassau airport problem is just hit-and-miss, just like any other airport. That's good to know.

I think you will love Harbour Island or Eleuthera, depending on what kind of vacation you are looking for.

Lots to do on Harbour Island, and the island is so small you can walk everywhere, or if you want to explore the entire island you can rent a golf cart. The island is only 3 miles long by half a mile wide. Lots of good restaurants, (great food) and several nice places to stay.

I think I already mentioned Runaway Hill which is our favorite, but you might want to look at Ramora Bay, Pink Sands, The Rock House, Bahama House, Coral Sands to name a few.

Try the Harbour Island website www.briland.com (if you say Harbour Island 3 times fast, you get Bri -land) and that is what the locals call the island and they are Brilanders.

Eleuthera is very different, there are several nice places to stay like Coco De Mama, The Cove, Rainbow Inn, The Cigatoo Inn and there are alot of homes for rent on island. You HAVE to have a car, because the island is 110 miles long (cars are about $60-$75 a day), and everything is very spread out.


Eleuthera is more for simple relaxation, and not very built up for tourism, although that is changing a bit.

If you are heading to Harbour Island, you might look into the Bahamas Air late flight, which I think is at 4:30, so you don't have to stay overnight.

There is also a second sailing of the Bahamas Fast Ferry, around 1:30pm, so if you can fly out early am from home, you should be able to catch the ferry or the flight.

Hope this helps. Have a GREAT time.

Hi folks,
I appreciate your posts about the Nassau airport. I too, will be traveling to Eleuthera for the first time in late May and am flying thru Nassau with a connection to Bahamas Air.
I have heard of delays in customs, and was a bit worried. We have a one hour window for our connection. We plan on taking all carryon to avoid luggage delays. I suppose delays are all relative to timing and local issues. Thank you again for your comments.. it makes me feel less worried. I really don't want to overnight in Nassau - if I miss my connection.

I would take Nassau's airport over Miami ANY day. Been there 3 times and each time was stress free!

Thanks for all the replies. We had a flight change that allows us to fly into N. Eleuthra airport. So, looks like we miss Nassau this trip. Will catch it next time and spend a couple of days there.

Thanks again!
Sheila

We went through Nassau in early April and had long waits both coming and going. Arriving on a Thursday afternoon, we were in line more than 1 hour coming into Nassau from the US to get through the first customs line. Many folks missed flights, but we made it as our line was the the quickest of about 8 lines. Departing Nassau on a Friday afternoon, we were in line about 1 and 1/2 hours to get through the customs and Homeland Security lines. So it must be hit or miss.
On the other hand, coming in and leaving the Eleuthera airport took us 2 minutes tops - there was no line and the airline rep didn't even look at our IDs!.

......Eleuthra airport -- that's more my speed!

Thanks
Sheila

Eleuthera International Airport, has had alot of upgrades the last few years.

I remember my first trip down and landing at N. Eleuthera Airport, there were the remains of a few crashed planes that were pushed off the side of the runway, lol. They are all gone now and the airport is less like a shack and more like an airport. There is also a restaurant across the street and a couple of gift stores there as well.

When you land your luggage will be wisked off the plane and put into a cab and don't worry they do it every day and nothing gets lost, well....most of the time.

Have a great trip.