Short answer: with 7 days, stay in one place on the south shore and use the buses and ferries to see the whole island: Horseshoe Bay and the South Shore Park coves, St. George’s and Tobacco Bay, the Royal Naval Dockyard, Hamilton, the Crystal Caves and a shipwreck snorkel. With 10 days, split your stay between the south shore and St. George’s and add sailing, Spittal Pond and Cooper’s Island. With 14 days, pair Bermuda with New York City or Boston, about two hours away by nonstop flight, or simply slow down for a full fortnight of beaches, diving and golf.
This guide turns the sample trips on our Bermuda travel guide into day-by-day plans, with ferry times, where to sleep and swaps for different interests. Choose your month with our best time to visit Bermuda guide, see the highlights in our top 10 places to visit in Bermuda, and for a plan built around your dates and interests, use our AI trip planner. Everything was checked as of October 2026.
The three routes at a glance
| Route | Days | Stops and nights | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| The whole island from one base | 7 | South shore (Southampton, Warwick or Paget) 6 | First trip, beaches, no packing and unpacking |
| South shore and the old town | 10 | South shore 6, St. George’s 3 | Beaches plus history, quieter evenings in the east |
| New York City and Bermuda | 14 | New York City 4, Bermuda south shore 6, St. George’s 3 | A city break and an island week in one trip |
Bermuda is small, and visitors can’t rent conventional cars, so the plans lean on the government’s pink-and-blue buses, the ferries and, if you are confident on narrow roads that drive on the left, an electric two-seat minicar for a day or two. A transportation pass for unlimited buses and ferries costs US$44 for 3 days or US$62 for 7 days (adults, as of October 2026); buy it in the Shorelink app or at the Hamilton terminals, not at the airport.
Travel times between the main stops
“Bermuda ferry service” marks times published by the government ferry service; the rest are approximate. In summer the ferries are the fastest and most pleasant way between Hamilton, Dockyard and St. George’s; the Dockyard–St. George’s route is seasonal.
| Leg | Way to travel | Time | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hamilton – Royal Naval Dockyard | Blue Route ferry, all year | about 20 min | Bermuda ferry service |
| Hamilton – Paget and Warwick | Pink Route ferry, all year | short hops; about 40 min for the full round trip | Bermuda ferry service |
| Hamilton – Rockaway (Southampton), via Cavello Bay and Watford Bridge | Green Route ferry, all year | about 1 h | Bermuda ferry service |
| Dockyard – St. George’s | Orange Route ferry, about late April to early November | about 45 min | Bermuda ferry service |
| Hamilton – St. George’s via Dockyard | Blue and Orange ferries | about 65 min, plus waiting time | Bermuda ferry service |
| Hamilton – St. George’s | Bus | about 1 h | Approximate |
| Hamilton – Dockyard | Bus (via the south shore beaches) | about 1 h | Approximate |
| Airport – St. George’s / Hamilton | Taxi | about 15–20 min / 25–30 min | Approximate |
| Bermuda – New York, Boston and other East Coast cities | Nonstop flight | about 2 h | Approximate |
Summer schedules usually start in late April and winter schedules in early November; the Green and Orange routes don’t run on Sundays. Buses need exact change if you don’t have a pass or tokens.
7 days: the whole island from one base
Base yourself on the south shore in Southampton, Warwick or Paget, close to the best beaches and on the main bus route, and buy a 7-day transportation pass.
- Day 1, arrival and the beach: Taxi from L.F. Wade International Airport, then a late-afternoon swim and sunset on the nearest beach. Sleep: south shore (6 nights).
- Day 2, Horseshoe Bay and South Shore Park: Swim at Horseshoe Bay early, before the crowds, then walk the coastal trail east past Chaplin Bay, Stonehole Bay and Jobson’s Cove to Warwick Long Bay. Climb Gibbs Hill Lighthouse, the cast-iron tower of 1846, for the view at the end of the day.
- Day 3, St. George’s: The Orange Route ferry from Dockyard in season, or the bus. Walk the old town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site settled from 1612, with St. Peter’s Church, King’s Square and the lanes behind; swim and snorkel at Tobacco Bay and see Fort St. Catherine.
- Day 4, the Royal Naval Dockyard: The 20-minute Blue Route ferry from Hamilton. The National Museum of Bermuda and the Commissioner’s House, the craft market and a snorkel at Snorkel Park; on the way, Somerset Bridge, billed as the world’s smallest drawbridge.
- Day 5, a shipwreck snorkel or dive: A morning boat trip to the reefs and wrecks; Bermuda has more than 300 known shipwrecks. Afternoon on a quieter beach such as Church Bay.
- Day 6, the caves and Hamilton: The Crystal and Fantasy Caves and the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo at Flatts, then Hamilton’s Front Street, Fort Hamilton and dinner on the harbor; in summer, Harbour Nights fills Front Street on Wednesday evenings.
- Day 7, home: A last swim, a fish sandwich and the taxi to the airport, where flights to the US clear US preclearance before departure.
Swap it: visiting from November to April, when the sea is cool? Trade the beach and snorkel days for a walk on the Bermuda Railway Trail, a round of golf and, in March and April, a whale-watching boat to see the humpbacks pass. All the stops are in our Bermuda guide, with the beaches in our beaches guide.
10 days: the south shore and the old town
With more time, split your stay in two: the west and south shore for beaches and Dockyard, then St. George’s in the quieter east, close to the airport, Tobacco Bay and the nature reserves.
- Day 1, arrival: Settle in and walk to the beach. Sleep: south shore (6 nights).
- Day 2, Horseshoe Bay and the coves: Beach morning and the South Shore Park trail, with Gibbs Hill Lighthouse at the end.
- Day 3, Dockyard and Somerset: Ferry to Dockyard for the National Museum, then the Green Route ferry or bus to Somerset for Somerset Bridge and a swim at a west-end cove.
- Day 4, on the water: A sailing or snorkel cruise, kayaking in the sheltered sounds, or a glass-bottom boat over the reefs.
- Day 5, Hamilton: Front Street, the Bermuda Cathedral tower, the Bermuda National Gallery and Fort Hamilton’s moat garden; on Wednesdays in summer, Harbour Nights.
- Day 6, a dive or a lazy day: A two-tank wreck dive, a spa afternoon, or a round of golf on one of the ocean-view courses.
- Day 7, to St. George’s: Ferry or bus east, stopping at the Crystal and Fantasy Caves and the Aquarium at Flatts on the way. Sleep: St. George’s (3 nights).
- Day 8, the old town: St. Peter’s Church, the town square and the forts, then Tobacco Bay for a swim and snorkel and a sunset drink.
- Day 9, nature reserves: Spittal Pond’s coastal walk, John Smith’s Bay, and Cooper’s Island Nature Reserve and Clearwater Beach near the airport.
- Day 10, home: St. George’s is about 15 to 20 minutes from the airport by taxi.
Swap it: on a budget? Rent a cottage or vacation apartment and shop at the supermarkets; Bermuda is one of the most expensive places in the world to eat out. The Railway Trail runs much of the island’s length and makes a free day out on foot or by bike. Ideas are in our snorkeling, diving and boat trips guides.
14 days: New York City and Bermuda
Bermuda’s nonstop flights from New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Charleston, Atlanta, Miami and Toronto take about two hours from the East Coast, so a city break pairs easily with an island week. This plan uses New York; Boston works just as well.
- Days 1–4, New York City: Lower Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty, Central Park and the museums, Brooklyn Bridge and a Broadway show. Sleep: Midtown or Lower Manhattan (4 nights).
- Day 5, to Bermuda: A morning flight of about two hours; afternoon on the beach. Sleep: south shore (6 nights).
- Days 6–10, the west and the south shore: Horseshoe Bay and South Shore Park, Gibbs Hill Lighthouse, Dockyard by ferry, Hamilton, a snorkel or dive trip and a day on the water.
- Day 11, to St. George’s: The caves and Flatts on the way east. Sleep: St. George’s (3 nights).
- Days 12–13, the east end: The old town and its forts, Tobacco Bay, Spittal Pond and Cooper’s Island.
- Day 14, home: Fly home through US preclearance at Bermuda’s airport, which saves the immigration line on arrival.
Flying from Europe? London Gatwick has nonstop flights to Bermuda, so you can do the same trip in reverse with New York at the end. Planning tips are in our New York City and Boston guides. Prefer to stay on the island the whole time? Give the extra days to a sailing day, golf, a spa and more beaches; the 7-day transportation pass covers all your buses and ferries.
Where to sleep, by stop
| Area | Best for | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Southampton and Warwick (south shore) | Beaches | Horseshoe Bay and the South Shore Park coves on the doorstep; main bus route; Green and Pink ferries nearby |
| Paget | Beaches plus Hamilton | Elbow Beach and the Pink Route ferry to Hamilton |
| Hamilton | Restaurants, nightlife, no-car stays | Hub for every bus and ferry; Harbour Nights in summer |
| St. George’s | History, quieter evenings | UNESCO-listed old town, Tobacco Bay, closest to the airport |
| Dockyard and Sandys (the west end) | Families, cruise-style convenience | Museum, Snorkel Park and the fast ferry to Hamilton |
Hotel bills add a 7.25% government hotel occupancy tax and a 2.5% tourism guest fee, plus the hotel’s own service charge (often 10–17%) and sometimes energy or resort fees, so the final bill can be about a quarter to a third above the room rate. Compare total prices when you book, especially from June to August, the peak season.
Alternatives by interest
Beach lovers
Stay in Southampton or Warwick and give every morning to a different beach: Horseshoe Bay, Warwick Long Bay, Jobson’s Cove, Church Bay, Elbow Beach, John Smith’s Bay, Tobacco Bay and Clearwater Beach. On windy days choose the sheltered bays; only Horseshoe Bay and a few others have lifeguards, in summer. June to September is the warmest sea.
Divers and snorkelers
Book two or three boat days for the wrecks, such as the Mary Celestia and the Constellation, and the outer reefs, and snorkel from shore at Tobacco Bay and Church Bay. Many wrecks are protected: look, but don’t take anything, and never stand on coral. The water is warmest and clearest in summer and early fall.
Walkers and golfers
Come between November and April, when days of about 20–24 °C (68–75 °F) are ideal for the Railway Trail, the South Shore Park trail and Spittal Pond, and when golf courses such as Port Royal and Mid Ocean are pleasantly cool. Hotel rates are lower too. See our hiking and cycling guides.
Families
Pick one base with a calm beach nearby and use the ferries, which children love. The Aquarium at Flatts, the Crystal Caves, Snorkel Park at Dockyard and the gentle water at Tobacco Bay fill a week easily. Children aged 5 to 15 pay lower fares on buses and ferries.
Food lovers and couples
Plan a fish chowder lunch, seasoned at the table with sherry peppers and black rum, a fried fish sandwich on raisin bread, and a Sunday breakfast of codfish and potatoes; in season, try Bermuda lobster. End the day with a Rum Swizzle or a Dark ‘n’ Stormy at a harbor bar in Hamilton or St. George’s. Couples often split the stay between a cottage colony on the south shore and a small inn in St. George’s, with a sunset sail in between.
Tips for planning your route
- Fill in the Bermuda Arrival Card. Visitors arriving by air must complete it free online before or on arrival; ignore sites that charge a fee.
- Plan around the ferry season. The Dockyard–St. George’s ferry runs from about late April to early November; in winter, use the bus to reach the east end.
- Be careful on two wheels. Scooter accidents are a leading cause of visitor injuries; the speed limit is 35 km/h (22 mph) and roads are narrow and winding.
- Pick the season. May and June are the sweet spot for warm days, a swimmable sea and the fewest rainy days; July to September is hottest and busiest, and mid-August to mid-October is the peak of the hurricane season. Details are in our best time to visit Bermuda guide.
- Check the gratuity. Many restaurants add 17% or more to the bill; don’t tip twice.
- Book the big weekends early. Bermuda Day in late May and Cup Match, the two-day cricket holiday around Emancipation Day in summer, fill hotels and ferries.
Bermuda itinerary FAQ
How many days do you need in Bermuda?
A long weekend of three or four days covers the main beaches, St. George’s and Hamilton. Five days adds Dockyard, the caves and a snorkel trip, and a week lets you enjoy it all at an easy pace.
Is 7 days too long for Bermuda?
Not if you enjoy beaches and the sea: a week leaves time for boat trips, diving, walks and lazy afternoons. If you get restless easily, five days in Bermuda plus a few days in New York or Boston is a good mix.
Where should I stay in Bermuda?
On the south shore in Southampton, Warwick or Paget for beaches; in Hamilton if you won’t have a minicar and want restaurants; in St. George’s for history and a quieter stay near the airport.
Can I rent a car in Bermuda?
No. Visitors can’t rent conventional cars, but you can rent small electric two-seat minicars or scooters with a valid driver’s license, or rely on buses, ferries and taxis.
How do I get from Hamilton to St. George’s?
By bus in about an hour, all year, or in season by the Blue Route ferry to Dockyard and the Orange Route on to St. George’s, about 65 minutes plus waiting time (Bermuda ferry service).
Is Bermuda in the Caribbean?
No. It lies in the North Atlantic about 1,050 km (650 miles) east of North Carolina, so winters are much cooler than in the Caribbean, and the sea is warm enough for most swimmers only from about May to October.
Can I do this itinerary from a cruise ship?
Partly. Most cruise ships from the US East Coast dock at the Royal Naval Dockyard for two or three days, so you can follow days 2 to 4 and 6 of the 7-day plan by ferry and bus, with a transportation pass. Cruise passengers don’t need the Bermuda Arrival Card.
What is the best month for a Bermuda trip?
May or June: warm days, a swimmable sea, few rainy days and a low risk of storms, before the summer crowds and peak prices.
Sources
Researched and last reviewed by TravelerCenter on 8 October 2026. Ferry routes, times and seasons and the transportation pass prices come from the Bermuda government ferry service; the Bermuda Arrival Card, fares and visitor rules from the Bermuda Tourism Authority and the Government of Bermuda; hotel taxes from the Government of Bermuda; the hurricane season from NOAA’s National Hurricane Center; and climate from the WMO 1991–2020 normals, as cited on our Bermuda guides. Bus times, taxi times and flight durations are approximate. Timetables, fares and rules change, so check with the operator before you travel.
Data: Wikidata (CC0)