Cheap flights to The Bahamas from $64

Bahamas Travel Guide

Pink sand beaches, coral reefs, 2,500 cays, and more than 700 islands comprise the Bahamas. The Bahamas sits close to Florida and Cuba but after 325 years of British rule and the Queen as head of state, the country still retains a distinct British feel. Nowhere is this more prevalent than in the capital, Nassau. Once the playground of pirates, today Nassau’s colonial homes and British forts draw visitors from all over the world. There’s even a “royal climb” up the Queen’s staircase to Fort Fincastle. And while most travelers choose to stay in Nassau when booking their flight to The Bahamas, the less developed Grand Bahama Island is also a great choice and has gone through a revival with new hotels being built along the Lucayan strip.

Eco-travelers who shun the casinos and mega-hotels that line Bahamas’ beaches will be happy to know that recently eco-tourism has been growing in the country. Travelers booking flights to The Bahamas can expect to visit the preserved coral reef of the Andros Barrier Reef and Great Inagua Island, home to the world’s largest flock of pink West Indian flamingos, which were nearly extinct a few years ago.

The Bahamas truly is an island paradise. Visitors can do everything from parasailing to gaming, and snorkeling to sunbathing. When going to the Bahamas, tourists should keep one thing in mind: hurricane season. Sure, there are plenty of cheap flights to the Bahamas, but unless you want to be boarded up inside your resort accommodations, it’s best to book flights during peak travel times or towards the end of the off-season.

Whether you’re looking for bright blue skies, clear blue waters, white sandy beaches, fun attractions, luxury resorts or just a few lazy days in the sun, flights to the Bahamas are your ticket to typical island living.

Contrary to popular belief, when you book a flight to Bahamas, you won’t arrive in the Caribbean. It is actually a chain-like archipelago of around 700 islands (about 30 of which are inhabited) and a couple of thousand little cays that stretch out into the Atlantic Ocean for about 75 miles east of Palm Beach, on the USA mainland. Direct flights to the Bahamas are usually found from major ports including Miami, New York, and Boston. Travelers who fly from more remote cities should plan on transferring planes in one of the larger airports such as Miami, Houston or Memphis, before arriving in the Bahamas.

One reason people book flights to the Bahamas is the natural underwater cave system in the Lucayan National Park. Visitors to the Bahamas can take in just about any water sport available, so grab your goggles and head to the Bahamas for a great getaway in the sun.

Getting to and around Bahamas

Getting between islands is relatively easy, with a choice of flights from charter airlines. You will normally have to travel to or from Nassau, however, so if you’re planning on island-hopping, you may end up visiting the city often. Bahamas Air provides the most routes.

There are some ferries that transport travelers between islands. The Fast Ferry service covers several routes originating at Nassau, though round trips are available, taking in three or four destinations. Local ferries, or water taxis are also available.

If you’ve got a lot of time to spare, take a mailboat. This is the cheapest way of traveling around, though certainly the slowest and you have no control over the destination.

Once on an island, hiring a car is the easiest and often only practical way of getting around. Driving is on the left and you have to be over 21 to hire a car.

Tips for your stay in Bahamas

• Nassauis the capital of the Bahamas and is located on New Providence Island. It’s the arrival point for most vacationers, as it holds the airport and a large port. Lots of cruise ships stop here.
• For pirate lovers, a trip to the Pirates of Nassau Museum is a must. The “interactive” museum has a replica of the pirate ship Revenge. The museum is open from 9am-6pm Monday to Saturday and 9am-midday on Sunday.
• The beguilingly named Paradise Islandis close to New Providence Island. It’s home to the Atlantis Hotel, one of the most impressive places to stay in the Caribbean. Even if you don’t spend a night here, visit to take a look around. The huge hotel boasts a marina “to rival Monte Carlo,” an aqua park, and a marine habitat, with a replica of the sunken streets of Atlantis.
• The Abacoislands are made up of two islands and a number of cays. Popular especially with families, this is the place to enjoy the beaches and not do much else.
• Relax, you’re on Bahamas time now. Everything is a little more laid-back and, well, slower than you might be used to back home. Drinks may take a while to arrive in restaurants and bars (30 minutes isn’t unusual) and meals even longer. The concept of rushing is almost unheard of. Don’t get frustrated, sit back and enjoy your holiday.
• As with lots of popular beach destinations, you’ll often encounter hawkers and beggars on the beaches and round the towns. This is most noticeable in Nassau and the biggest resorts. You’ll be offered everything from t-shirts and jewelry to hair braiding. If you’re determined not to purchase souvenirs, you do need to be alert: shaking hands with someone can often result in a bracelet being snapped on your wrist, which you are, of course, then expected to pay for.
• Getting off the beaten track: there are more than 700 islands making up the Bahamas, so, despite its immense popularity with tourists, it is possible to get away from it all. To explore some of the outer islands, hire a powerboat and just head out to sea.

Finding Flights from Bahamas

From Key West, you can book flights to make short hops to Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Charlotte and Tampa, with direct flights to Chicago and Newark available during the high season.

Several taxi and limo services are available to get you to the airport, or check out buses and shuttles that run throughout the Lower Keys and even all the way to Miami. Most of the major hotels also run courtesy shuttles to the airport, as do several scooter rental shops, if you plan to use a scooter for your island explorations.