To get to Bermuda, most visitors fly into L.F. Wade International Airport, while others arrive on cruise ships or well-prepared private boats.
When you ask “how do you get to bermuda?”, you are choosing between three routes: flying, cruising, or sailing yourself. The island sits alone in the Atlantic, hundreds of miles off the U.S. East Coast, so every trip starts and ends with time over open water. Picking the right route turns that ocean stretch from a hassle into part of the fun.
The options differ in cost, timing, and how much freedom you have once you land. Below you will see how flights, cruises, and private boats work in practice, which starting points they suit, and what paperwork you need so that your first view of Bermuda is smooth instead of stressful.
Quick Overview: How Do You Get To Bermuda?
Most visitors reach Bermuda by air. Commercial flights land at L.F. Wade International Airport (code BDA) on St. David’s Island. Routes serve East Coast cities in the United States and Canada, plus London in the United Kingdom. A smaller group reaches Bermuda on large cruise ships or on private yachts during ocean passages.
| Departure City | Typical Nonstop Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| New York City (JFK/LGA) | 1.5–2 hours | Frequent flights in spring, summer, and early autumn. |
| Boston (BOS) | About 2 hours | Mix of year-round and seasonal service. |
| Atlanta (ATL) | 2–2.5 hours | Good for connections from the U.S. South and Midwest. |
| Orlando (MCO) | Under 3 hours | Often paired with family trips to central Florida. |
| Toronto (YYZ) | 2.5–3 hours | Popular route for Canadian visitors in warmer months. |
| Montreal (YUL) | Under 3 hours | Seasonal or limited year-round flights depending on demand. |
| London (LHR/LGW) | About 7 hours | Flag-carrier service tying Bermuda to the U.K. and Europe. |
Schedules change with the season, so check current options on the official tourism page about getting to Bermuda by air and sea before you commit to dates.
Getting To Bermuda From The U.S. And Canada
If you live in North America, flying is usually the fastest, simplest answer to how do you get to bermuda. Airlines group their Bermuda flights around East Coast hubs so that planes spend less time in the air and can run several cycles per day in busy months.
Nonstop Flights From East Coast Hubs
New York, Boston, Atlanta, and Toronto tend to have the strongest links to Bermuda, with extra routes added from other cities when demand rises. Nonstop flights keep the travel day easy: one security check, one takeoff, then you step off the plane into warm air and ocean views two or three hours later. If you can reach one of these hubs by a short hop or train ride, that route often wins.
Connecting From The Rest Of North America
Travelers from the Midwest, West Coast, or smaller Canadian cities usually reach Bermuda with one connection. The common pattern is a domestic leg to an East Coast hub, then a single flight onward to BDA. When you have a choice, pick an itinerary with a comfortable layover instead of the tightest possible change. Atlantic weather can delay departures, and a buffer keeps a holiday from turning into a sprint through the terminal.
Some North American airports and Bermuda itself provide U.S. pre-clearance. When you depart Bermuda on a U.S.-bound flight, you clear immigration and customs before takeoff, so you arrive as a domestic passenger. That can shorten your line at the connection point and reduce stress on the way home.
When Flying From Canada Works Well
Canadian visitors often fly from Toronto or Montreal, with a few seasonal routes from other cities. These flights are short enough to make long weekends realistic, especially when holidays line up with lower fares. If you live near the border, compare prices from your closest Canadian airport and the nearest U.S. airport; once you add fuel, parking, and time, the cheaper ticket is not always the one that looks lowest on the screen.
Getting To Bermuda From The U.K. And Europe
For travelers based in the U.K. or elsewhere in Europe, London is the main gateway. Direct flights from London to L.F. Wade International Airport run several times per week, with extra frequencies in summer. The trip takes around seven hours, which suits a week-long stay or a longer itinerary that pairs Bermuda with time in London.
From other European cities you can either connect through London or fly to a U.S. hub, then continue to Bermuda from there. The better option depends on fares, airline loyalty, and whether you want to add a city break. When comparing routes, look at door-to-door timing rather than only the flight segments; sometimes a slightly longer connection with simple airport transfers feels easier than a tight link with extra queues.
Arriving In Bermuda By Cruise Ship
Cruise lines give another answer to the question “how do you get to bermuda?”, especially if you enjoy sea days and shipboard entertainment. Large ships sail from ports such as New York and Boston on itineraries that include two or three days docked at the island and several days at sea.
Typical Cruise Itineraries
Most Bermuda cruises last five to seven nights. You sail from a mainland port, spend a day or two at sea, arrive and dock for a multi-night stay, then sail back to your starting point. While the ship is in port, it functions like a floating hotel, with restaurants, cabins, and shows ready when you return from the beach or from a stroll through St. George’s.
Picking The Right Departure Port
When you shop for cruises, pay attention to both the cruise line and the port. Leaving from New York or nearby New Jersey keeps sailing time shorter, while departures from ports farther south usually add extra sea days. If you live near a cruise terminal, driving to the ship can cut costs by removing one or more flights from the budget.
To see what is running in the next season or two, scan the tourism authority’s page on cruises to Bermuda. Routes and home ports change from year to year as cruise lines shift their fleets.
Reaching Bermuda By Yacht Or Private Boat
Sailors sometimes reach Bermuda on private yachts as part of longer Atlantic passages. Classic routes such as the Newport to Bermuda race show how the island sits in the middle of common ocean tracks. For skippers and crews, the reward is several days of blue water sailing followed by safe harbors and good repair facilities.
Ocean sailing to Bermuda is only realistic for well-prepared boats with offshore experience on board. Distances are long, weather can shift quickly, and there are no emergency marinas between your starting port and the island. Skippers must handle customs, health, and immigration checks for everyone on board on arrival, along with any pre-arrival forms that are required.
Entry Rules, Visas, And Arrival Cards
No matter which route you use, you need to be sure you can enter Bermuda. Many visitors from North America and Europe do not need a visa for short stays, but a valid passport is required. As a general rule, your passport should stay valid for the length of your trip, and keeping at least six months of validity left gives you a safety margin if travel plans change.
Bermuda replaced its temporary pandemic travel authorization with a simple digital Arrival Card for air visitors, while cruise passengers do not need to complete a form. Airlines usually remind passengers to complete the Arrival Card before landing, and the online form takes a couple of minutes. Entry rules can change, so it is wise to review current guidance shortly before your trip.
If you are unsure about visa rules, check the Bermuda government website or speak with the airline before you book. Airlines must follow carrier liability rules and can deny boarding if your documents do not meet entry standards, even when you plan only a short visit.
Choosing Between Flying And Cruising To Bermuda
Both flying and cruising will get you to Bermuda, but they deliver different styles of trip. One feels like a quick hop to an island base where you call the shots; the other feels like a full package holiday with Bermuda as a featured stop. To decide, think about budget, time off work, and how much structure you want in each day.
| Option | Best For | Main Details |
|---|---|---|
| Direct Flight | Maximizing time on the island | Fastest route; you pay for flights, then pick any hotel or rental. |
| Flight With One Connection | Travelers far from East Coast hubs | One extra leg, but still a same-day trip on most itineraries. |
| Cruise Only | Travelers who love sea days | Ship works as your hotel; fewer nights are spent ashore. |
| Cruise Plus Extra Nights | First-timers who want ship and shore | Combine a cruise with hotel nights before or after docking. |
| Private Yacht | Experienced offshore sailors | Requires ocean skills, safety gear, and careful weather planning. |
Flying gives you more control over where you stay, what you eat, and how you spend each day. Once you land, you can choose a resort, guesthouse, or vacation rental that fits your plans and budget instead of sticking to the ship’s schedule.
Cruising simplifies planning and can work well for groups or multigenerational trips. Your cabin, meals, and most entertainment are bundled into a single fare, and you only need to plan shore time for the days when the ship is in port. That alone makes planning far easier.
Local Transport Once You Arrive In Bermuda
No matter which answer you pick to “how do you get to bermuda?”, you will need local transport after you arrive. Visitors cannot rent regular full-size cars, so you rely on a mix of buses, ferries, small electric vehicles, scooters, and taxis to reach beaches, towns, and viewpoints.
Using Ferries And Buses
Bermuda’s SeaExpress ferries link hubs such as Hamilton, the Royal Naval Dockyard, and St. George’s. Routes follow color-coded lines with different timetables, and many visitors treat a ferry ride as both transport and sightseeing because the harbor views are hard to beat. The island’s bus network fills in the gaps, with routes along main roads that reach popular beaches and neighborhoods.
In busier months the most popular ferries and buses can feel crowded, especially during commute hours. Give yourself extra time to reach the terminal or bus stop, and think about buying a transport pass that includes buses and ferries so that you can hop on and off without hunting for change.
Scooters, Small Cars, And Taxis
Visitors can rent tiny electric cars or scooters instead of full-size vehicles. These compact rentals suit the island’s narrow roads and short distances, and they make it easier to reach coves or viewpoints that sit beyond bus stops. Always follow local traffic rules, wear helmets on scooters, and slow down when roads are wet.
Taxis are widely available, particularly on arrival and departure days when you have luggage. Many drivers also offer informal tour services by the hour, which gives you a local voice and flexible route without the stress of driving yourself.
Final Tips For A Smooth Trip To Bermuda
To bring everything together, start by choosing whether you prefer a fast, independent stay on shore or a cruise that wraps transport and lodging into one package. From there, work out which airports or cruise ports you can reach easily, then look for routes with simple connections and enough buffer time that a small delay will not ruin your plans.
Stay alert to seasonal changes in flight and cruise schedules, and try to line up flights with check-in and check-out times at your hotel or cabin so that you are not stuck waiting around with bags. Once you have settled on your answer to “how do you get to bermuda?”, you can just shift your energy to choosing beaches, reef trips, and long lunches by the water instead of worrying about logistics.