How Much Does A Trip to Bermuda Cost?
Just a 90-minute flight from New York City, Bermuda is an unforgettable destination. Bermuda is home to pastel colored homes with white-stepped roofs, shipwrecks, pink sand beaches and humpback whales in March and April. Despite not being on my travel radar initially, an irresistible flight deal from Thrifty Traveler Premium led me to this paradise last summer. After experiencing Bermuda, my perception of it completely changed. Despite its reputation as an expensive destination, Bermuda has become one of my top vacation spots, so much so that I now visit annually (or at least try to).
For less than $220 USD round-trip, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to jet off to the Atlantic. This getaway was my last chance to soak up some summer sun, and I invited my mom to join the fun.
Over the course of three days, we spent most of our time at the beach swimming in Bermuda’s warm turquoise waters and lying on the picturesque white sand beaches – talk about total island bliss.
Okay, but how much did our Bermuda vacation cost? Let’s jump into the nitty gritty.
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Is Bermuda expensive?
Bermuda is undoubtedly a luxury travel destination and most people consider it an expensive place to visit.
You might be wondering why Bermuda is considered “pricey,” so here are a few reasons:
- Bermuda has one of the highest costs of living in the world which impacts nearly everything from fuel to everyday items.
- Bermuda imports most of its food, so prices at restaurants and grocery stores are usually higher.
- The island is very small so it has a limited number of hotels and resorts. While vacation rentals are typically more affordable, prices can be just as high during peak travel season.
How much does a trip to Bermuda cost?
On average, I recommend budgeting around $350 per person per day. This includes accommodation, meals, activities, and local transportation.
Depending on where you are flying from and the season you visit, budget an additional $400 to $800 per person on flights.
Here’s a quick Bermuda vacation cost breakdown for a 5-7 day trip per person.
- Budget traveler: $1,750- $2,500
- Mid-range traveler: $2,500 to $5,000
- Luxury traveler: $5,000+
Keep reading to see a detailed breakdown of my expenses.
While Bermuda may never be considered a ‘cheap’ travel destination, it’s certainly more affordable than you might think.
With some creativity and strategic planning, enjoying a Bermuda vacation on a budget is possible.
It may not be the easiest task, but you can make your Bermuda dream vacation come true with the right strategic approach.
Note: Keep in mind that your Bermuda budget may look (very) different than mine, depending on your needs and interests. So, use this spending plan as a guide to get a better sense of how much money you’ll need to budget for your trip, and where you can possibly save.
Always plan a trip that fits your budget and preferences, and please never go into debt. Before I delve into the details of my Bermuda budget, here are some key things you need to know before you go.
Planning a Trip to Bermuda
Where is Bermuda?
Bermuda is located in the North Atlantic Ocean. It’s an archipelago made up of many small islands connected by bridges and causeways.
Although it’s often grouped with Caribbean islands, it’s technically significantly further north, and not located in the Caribbean Sea.
Bermuda is relatively close to many U.S. East Coast cities, less than 900 miles from Charleston, Washington D.C., New York City, and Boston.
What currency does Bermuda use?
Bermuda’s official currency is the Bermuda Dollar (BMD).
The Bermuda Dollar is on par with the US Dollar. You can use both currencies interchangeably on the island. This was super convenient because I did not have to worry about pesky exchange rate fees or currency devaluations.
You cannot use the British Pound, Canadian Dollar or Euro in Bermuda.
$1 BMD = $1 USD
Unless you want to keep your Bermuda Dollars as souvenirs, exchange your Bermuda Dollars for US Dollars before you leave.
Credit Cards in Bermuda
All major credit cards, including Visa, MasterCard, and American Express, are widely accepted in Bermuda.
If your bank or credit card company requires a travel notification, set your travel dates in advance so you don’t run into financial troubles.
ATMs in Bermuda
There are plenty of 24-hour ATMs in Bermuda. ATMs will give you Bermuda Dollars, so avoid over withdrawing funds and having to exchange them later.
3 Day Bermuda Vacation Cost
Round-trip Flights from New York City: Free
I booked my flight with American Airlines two months before departure.
I redeemed 21,246 points ($212.46 USD) with my Chase Sapphire Preferred credit card. This meant I spent $0 USD out of pocket on my flights – cheers to more savings on my Bermuda budget!
You can also book flights to Bermuda with JetBlue from New York City and WestJet from cities in Canada.
Booking an inexpensive flight is one of the best ways to save on your Bermuda vacation.
Bermuda Vacation Tips
Bermuda offers an online Visitor Arrival Card that you can complete before your arrival to make the process smoother.
It’s simple: just fill out the form, print it, and present it to the immigration officers with your passport. Alternatively, pink paper arrival forms are also available on your flight.
Why travel to Bermuda during the off-season?
October to March is considered off-season in Bermuda. This is a great time to find the best flight deals and cheaper lodging.
Also, the weather ranges from 60°F to about 70°F. Not too bad for Fall, right?
Hotels in Bermuda: $232 – $502 USD per night
Grotto Bay Beach Resort is Bermuda’s only all-inclusive (optional) beach resort.
The all-inclusive supplement is added to your room charge and includes daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It also includes unlimited drinks, non-motorized water sports, and a public transportation pass.
The all-inclusive supplement costs $109 USD a day with gratuity for adults and $79 USD a day for children.
I decided to skip the all-inclusive supplement because I didn’t think I would spend $109 USD daily on this trip.
Instead, I paid for everything out-of-pocket. I paid cash for te daily breakfast buffet, dinner, and an hour kayak rental, which totaled $276 USD for my 3-day trip.
Surprisingly, this was only $51 USD cheaper than the resort’s all-inclusive supplement. If I had to do it again, I would probably pay the extra $51 USD for all the added perks and convenience.
Read my review of Grotto Bay Beach Resort here.
Transportation to/from New York City Airport: $73.82 USD
One-way Uber ride to JFK: $55.82 USD (split the bill ~$27.91 per person)
One-way NYC Airport Shuttle: $18 USD
Average Taxi to/from Bermuda Airport: $15 USD
Taxis are convenient, but expensive in Bermuda.
A short 10-minute taxi ride (literally just crossing “the causeway”) to Grotto Bay Beach Resort & Spa costs ~$15 USD.
Ouch, that’s $1.50 USD per minute!
With taxis being so expensive and buses infrequent, I decided to spend less time in transit and more time exploring the resort and its nearby surroundings.
We walked to Swizzle Inn (~5-minute walk) and hiked at the Blue Hole Park (~40-minute walk). With limited time on the island, I don’t regret walking, but I would consider renting a moped next time I’m in town.
Since writing this article I had a chance to visit Bermuda again. During my second trip to Bermuda, I rented pedal bikes. This was a great way to see more of the island and explore the Bermuda Railway Trail.
Average Daily Food Cost: $51 USD
I intentionally ate most of my meals at Grotto Bay Beach Resort’s Hibiscus Room Restaurant and the Palm Court Restaurant.
I enjoyed a full breakfast buffet at the Hibiscus Restaurant for ~$27 USD per person. The buffet included unlimited fruits, oatmeal, juice, cereal, eggs, pancakes, french toast, and coffee service.
Having a hearty breakfast meant I could skip lunch. At lunch, I enjoyed complimentary tea time at Palm Court Restaurant from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. I munched on lots of sugar cookies and scones, and I drank tea and coffee, all for free.
For dinner, I made reservations at the Palm Court Restaurant and enjoyed Bermudian-style bistro and wine.
Day 1 Food Total: $48.24 USD
- Lunch at Swizzle Inn: $22 USD
- Dinner at the Palm Court Restaurant: $26.24 USD (including 17% gratuity)
Swizzle In Sample Menu Prices:
10′ Cheese Pizza: $11 USD
Rum Swizzle glass: $8 USD
Rum Swizzle half jug: $17.50 (~4 glasses)
Cajun Calamari: $13.75 USD
The Swizzle Burger: $16 USD
Palm Court Sample Menu Prices:
Traditional Fish: $22.50 USD
Soup de Jour (Soup of the Day): $7.95 USD
Linguini Vongole: $17.95 USD
Fish & Chips: $18.95 USD
Tuna Wrap: $13.50 USD
A glass of Chardonnay: $8 USD
Day 2 Food Total: $48.08 USD
- Breakfast buffet: $26.33 USD (including 17% gratuity)
- Dinner at the Palm Court: $21.75 USD (including 17% gratuity)
Day 3 Food Total: $56.32 USD
- Breakfast buffet: $26.33 USD (including 17% gratuity)
- Dinner at the Palm Court: $29.99 USD (including 17% gratuity)
How much to tip in Bermuda?
Hotels and restaurants usually charge a 15% service charge. Grotto Bay Beach Resort charged 17%.
You can tip more if you like, but it’s not required. If a surcharge wasn’t added to your bill, you can leave the standard 15%-20% tip.
Things to Do in Bermuda: $20 USD
- 1-hour kayak rental from Blue Hole Water Sports: $20 USD
- Hiking: Free
- Swimming in Cathedral Cave: Free
I kept my activity costs low by enjoying many of Grotto Bay Beach Resort’s amenities. I swam in a crystal cave, read by the pool, and spent lots of time on the property’s exclusive white sand beach. The only activity that I paid for was the one-hour kayak rental.
Average Daily Alcohol Cost: $8 USD
- $8 USD for a glass of Chardonnay at Palm Court Restaurant
- $8 USD for a swizzle drink at Swizzle Inn
Is Bermuda Expensive?
When I added up all my expenses, I spent ~$1,100 during my 3-day trip to Bermuda ($367 USD per day).
This short trip was a bit of a splurge, but it was worth every sun-shining and rum-sipping minute.
Since lodging was the most expensive part of my budget, if you want to spend less on your trip, I recommend finding a cheaper place to stay.
Would I go back to Bermuda?
Yes, you bet. Bermuda did not disappoint. I’ll be back next summer, so stay tuned for more Bermuda budget developments and money-saving tips!
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Are you heading to Bermuda? Where will YOU save and splurge?
Danielle Desir Corbett is an award-winning and 6x grant-funded travel writer and podcast host who went from financial struggle to visiting 27+ countries all without waiting until retirement. Her story is proof that budget doesn’t limit adventure. Tune into The Thought Card Podcast for practical strategies to travel smarter and live on your terms. Say hello: thethoughtcard (at) gmail (dot) com.
Great Review – and very detailed and very accurate… I live in Bermuda and would recommend you come for the Carnival in 2018, Cup Match festival or the LIV Bermuda weekend (Google it) be sure to make it and extended trip so that you have some time to chill because it is wild parties!
This was a wonderful post – so detailed! The best post I’ve read about Bermuda. Thank you!
Thank you Ashley – that means so much!
I think the flight seems like a great deal and so does the all-inclusive. I eat and drink about the same amount you do, so I imagine the costs would be similar. And I love the sound of the afternoon tea! Maybe I will think about Bermuda for my next February break.
Wow I love the complete breakdown of how much everything cost you! I didn’t realize hotels there were so expensive so I’ll definitely have to plan for that. That’s awesome you used points for your flights. I’ll try to do that too.
I also ended up going to Bermuda due to a flight deal that I just couldn’t pass up! I couldn’t believe how expensive everything was! But it was definitely worth it. Can’t wait to read more about your summer adventures in Bermuda. We went during low season in March and have wondered how different the island will be once it is busy.
It doesn’t look that expensive at 1100$ as the places look too gorgeous and worth it! Great tips for saving some money here for the Bermuda trip. Also good that you were able to save on your flights, which is a major deal.
I’m heading back again this summer! Looking forward to discovering even more ways to save.
I’ve always wondered how much it would cost to go to Bermuda. Bermuda looks amazing and I love the photo of your mom. She looks super happy :) I also love my Chase Sapphire card since it’s so easy to transfer points for airline miles, I do it all the time!