Bermuda Entry Requirements, Customs & Travel Guide
Pink-sand beaches, pastel cottages and a coastline of cobalt water, all just a two-hour flight from the US East Coast. Bermuda feels tropical, but it sits alone in the North Atlantic, 650 miles off North Carolina, not in the Caribbean at all. Arrival is straightforward: most visitors enter visa-free with a passport stamp, and the dreaded pre-travel form is gone, the Bermuda Travel Authorisation ended in March 2023. What does still apply is a Customs Traveller Declaration for everyone, a duty-free allowance worth watching, and one rule that catches almost every first-timer: visitors cannot rent a car. Here is exactly what you need for 2026, and what you can safely ignore.
- Capital
- Hamilton
- Main airport
- L.F. Wade International (BDA)
- Currency
- Bermudian Dollar (BMD = USD)
- Language
- English
- Time zone
- Atlantic (UTC-4, observes DST)
- Best time
- May to Oct (warmest)
- Power
- 120V · Type A & B (US-style)
- Entry form
- Customs declaration · no online form

Do I need a customs or arrival form for Bermuda?
Two things travelers ask first: is there an online form, and is there a customs form? The short answers are no online arrival form and yes, a customs declaration for everyone. The Bermuda Travel Authorisation that existed during the pandemic was scrapped on 1 March 2023, so there is nothing to file or pay for in advance. On arrival, every traveler completes a Customs Traveller Declaration, and immigration is handled with a passport stamp.
- 1Immigration: a passport stamp, not a form
Present your passport to an immigration officer at L.F. Wade (BDA) or your cruise port. They confirm your visa-free status, may ask about onward travel and accommodation, and stamp your authorized stay. There is nothing to fill out online beforehand.
- 2Customs: a declaration for every arrival
Everyone completes a Customs Traveller Declaration. Declare goods over the duty-free allowance (BMD $200 of acquired goods, plus alcohol and tobacco limits) and any cash of $10,000 or more. Nothing over the allowance means no duty, but you still complete the form.
- 3Visa-required nationalities: sort it out first
If your nationality is not on Bermuda's visa-exempt list (broadly aligned with the UK), apply for the appropriate visa or document before you travel. Do not rely on arranging anything on arrival.
Entry requirements
Have these ready before you reach immigration at L.F. Wade (BDA):
- A valid passportYour passport must be valid for your stay in Bermuda. Because many flights transit through the United States, airlines may require additional passport validity beyond Bermuda's minimum requirement.
- Proof of onward travelA return or onward ticket out of Bermuda. Immigration can ask to see it, and airlines may check it at check-in.
- Accommodation detailsYour hotel, guesthouse or rental confirmation. Visitors are generally expected to have somewhere booked.
- A visa, only if requiredMost nationalities are visa-free. If yours is not (per Bermuda's UK-aligned visa list), obtain the correct visa or document before you fly.
Do I need a visa for Bermuda? Visa-free limits and length of stay
Bermuda maintains its own immigration rules while recognizing many of the UK's visa exemptions and requirements. Citizens of the US, Canada, UK, EU, Australia, New Zealand and many other countries enter visa-free for tourism. Admission and the length of stay are determined by the Immigration Officer on arrival, so confirm your nationality's status before traveling.
| Who you are | Visa status (tourism) | Typical stay |
|---|---|---|
| USA & Canada | Visa free (passport stamp) | Up to 90 days |
| United Kingdom | Visa free (passport stamp) | Up to 90 days |
| EU / EEA | Visa free (passport stamp) | Up to 90 days |
| Australia & New Zealand | Visa free (passport stamp) | Up to 90 days |
| Other UK-list visa-exempt nationals | Visa free (passport stamp) | Up to 90 days |
| Visa-required nationalities | Visa / document in advance | As granted |
How long can I stay in Bermuda?
Most visitors are admitted for up to 90 days, but the exact period is determined by the Immigration Officer on arrival. The date is written or stamped in your passport, so check it before you leave the desk. Need longer? Apply to the Department of Immigration for an extension before your permitted time runs out.
Can tourists rent a car in Bermuda?
Of every Bermuda travel rule, this is the one first-timers don't see coming. Visitors cannot rent a car in Bermuda. There are no tourist car-rental agencies, and even residents are limited to roughly one car per household, a deliberate policy to keep the small island's narrow roads from gridlock.
Instead you have excellent options: metered taxis, the pink-and-blue public buses, the fast and scenic Sea Express ferries, rented scooters or mopeds (helmets mandatory, age 16+), pedal and e-bikes, and small two-seat electric minicars. Plan your arrival around a taxi or a pre-booked private transfer from the airport, then mix buses and ferries once you're settled.
How do I complete the Bermuda Customs Traveller Declaration?
Every arriving traveler completes this declaration. It is short, and most people fill it in on the plane or in the customs hall. Here is what it asks and how to get it right:
- 1Your details and trip
Name, passport details, where you are staying and how long. Customs instructions explain when families travelling together may submit a single declaration.
- 2Goods you are bringing in
List acquired goods, gifts and any commercial items. The stable allowance is up to BMD $200 of other goods per person, plus an accompanied alcohol and tobacco allowance for adults 18+ — check the current Customs Traveller Declaration or customs.gov.bm for the latest alcohol limits.
- 3Restricted and prohibited items
Declare plants, fresh produce, meats, large quantities of medication and anything you are unsure about. When in doubt, declare it.
- 4Currency of $10,000 or more
If you are carrying cash or monetary instruments worth $10,000 or more, tick the box and be ready to declare the amount.
Customs & duty-free allowances
For personal, non-commercial use. Allowances are per person (alcohol and tobacco for adults 18+) and amounts over the limit are dutiable. When in doubt, declare.
| Category | What to know |
|---|---|
| Alcohol | Adults 18+ get an accompanied allowance, but the exact limits change — see the current Customs Traveller Declaration or customs.gov.bm for the latest figures |
| Tobacco | A personal tobacco allowance for adults 18+ (e.g. cigarettes/cigars); over the limit is dutiable |
| Acquired goods & gifts | Up to about BMD $200 of other goods per person, duty-free; amounts above are taxed at Bermuda's (high) duty rates |
| Personal effects | Your clothing, camera, laptop and phone pass as personal baggage, free of duty |
| Cash & monetary instruments | Declare $10,000 or more (cash or instruments) on arrival and departure |
Allowances are per person and not transferable between travelers. Confirm exact alcohol, tobacco and goods limits with H.M. Customs (customs.gov.bm) before relying on them.
Prohibited & restricted items
Violations can mean seizure, fines or prosecution. When in doubt, declare. A few of these surprise visitors:
- ProhibitedIllegal narcotics and drug paraphernalia, firearms and ammunition, spear guns, certain knives and offensive weapons. Bermuda enforces drug and weapons laws strictly, with severe penalties.
- Agriculture & foodFresh produce, plants, seeds and meats are restricted to protect Bermuda's fragile island environment; undeclared food can be confiscated. Declare anything organic.
- Permit or permission requiredItems covered by CITES (certain plants, animals and their products), and goods for resale or commercial use, need permits or formal declaration.
- PetsImporting animals requires an import permit and veterinary documentation arranged well in advance; check with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
- Prescription medicationCarry it in original packaging with the prescription or a doctor's letter. Some drugs that are over-the-counter elsewhere may be controlled in Bermuda; declare large quantities.
At L.F. Wade International Airport (BDA), arrival
All flights land at L.F. Wade International (BDA) in St. George's parish, about 30–40 minutes from Hamilton and the South Shore depending on traffic. After landing:
Most arriving travelers complete the Customs Traveller Declaration on paper — many fill it in on the aircraft or at the customs hall, so keep a pen handy. Bermuda has been modernising its border processing, so an electronic declaration option may appear over time; until then, treat the paper form as standard.
- 1 · ImmigrationPresent your passport. Answer brief questions on your stay; have onward travel and accommodation ready. The officer stamps your authorized stay.
- 2 · Baggage claimCollect your checked luggage in the arrivals hall.
- 3 · CustomsHand in your completed Customs Traveller Declaration; go through the relevant channel and pay any duty on goods over your allowance.
- 4 · Arrivals hallPre-booked transfers, metered taxis and hotel shuttles wait just outside. Remember: there are no rental cars.
Get a verified driver waiting
With no rental cars on the island, your airport pickup matters. Book a licensed Bermuda driver to Hamilton, the South Shore or St. George's before you fly, metered fares, meet and greet, no guesswork.
Arriving by cruise ship
Bermuda is one of the Atlantic's great cruise destinations, with sailings mostly from the US East Coast. Ships berth at three points, and cruise passengers complete the same Customs Traveller Declaration as air arrivals.
| Cruise port | What to know |
|---|---|
| Royal Naval Dockyard (King's Wharf) | The largest port, on the West End; takes the biggest ships. Ferries and buses link it to Hamilton and beyond |
| Hamilton | Central berth in the capital, walkable to shops, restaurants and ferries |
| St. George's | Historic UNESCO town on the East End, near the airport; smaller ships |
From any port, the Sea Express ferries and public buses make it easy to explore without a car. Pre-booked shore excursions and private drivers can meet you right at the pier.
Money matters in Bermuda
Bermuda uses the Bermudian Dollar (BMD), pegged one-to-one with the US Dollar. US dollars are accepted almost everywhere, and you will often get change in a mix of both, so there is no need to exchange money before you travel.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Currency | BMD (Bermudian Dollar); 1 BMD = 1 USD, and US dollars are accepted everywhere |
| Entry fees | Nothing for visa-free travelers; no arrival form or authorisation fee to pay |
| Cards & ATMs | Widely accepted; ATMs in Hamilton and tourist areas dispense BMD (and often USD) |
| Tipping | A service charge (often ~15-17%) is commonly added to bills; check before adding more |
| Departure tax | Normally included in your airfare or cruise fare; rarely a separate charge |
| Currency declaration | Declare cash of $10,000 or more on arrival and departure |
| Cost of living | Bermuda is expensive; budget more than you would for the Caribbean |
| Electricity | 120V, Type A & B plugs; UK/EU travelers need an adapter |
| Driving | On the left, but visitors cannot rent cars; scooters, taxis, buses and ferries only |
Best time to visit Bermuda
Subtropical, not tropical. Summers are warm and humid; winters are mild but too cool for the beach, and the sea takes time to warm up.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| High / summer | May to Oct | Warmest weather and sea, beach season; busiest and most expensive (hurricane season Jun–Nov) |
| Shoulder | Apr & Nov | Pleasant, fewer crowds, lower prices; sea may be cool early/late |
| Low / winter | Dec to Mar | Mild but cool, quieter, some hotels and ferries on reduced schedules |
Top things to do in Bermuda
Pink-sand beaches, a UNESCO old town, sea caves and shipwreck snorkeling, all on an island you can cross in under an hour by ferry. Here's where to start.

Horseshoe Bay Beach
Bermuda's signature pink-sand beach on the South Shore, with sheltered coves, snorkeling and a beach café. Busy in summer, magical at golden hour.

Town of St. George (UNESCO)
The oldest continuously inhabited English town in the New World, a UNESCO World Heritage Site of cobbled lanes, St. Peter's Church and colonial squares.

Royal Naval Dockyard
A former British naval fortress on the West End, now home to the National Museum, shops, the Snorkel Park, and the main cruise terminal at King's Wharf.

Crystal & Fantasy Caves
Spectacular underground caverns of crystal-clear subterranean pools and dramatic stalactites, reached by floating pontoon walkways. A cool break from the sun.

Reef & shipwreck snorkeling
Bermuda's reefs have wrecked hundreds of ships, making it one of the world's great snorkeling and diving destinations, with clear water and easy boat trips.

City of Hamilton
The pastel capital: Front Street shopping, harbourside restaurants, the ferry terminal and a relaxed island-meets-colonial atmosphere.
Where to stay, best areas in Bermuda
The island is small, but where you base yourself shapes your trip, especially without a car. Choose by ferry and bus access:

Hamilton & Pembroke
Walkable to restaurants, shops and the ferry hub. Best for first-timers, dining and getting around by ferry.

South Shore (Southampton & Warwick)
The pink-sand beaches, resorts and Gibbs Hill Lighthouse. Best for beach lovers and classic resort stays.

St. George's (East End)
UNESCO old town, quieter, near the airport. Best for history, charm and an early flight out.

Sandys & the Dockyard
Near the cruise port, watersports and ferries to Hamilton. Best for cruisers, watersports and West End beaches.
Official Bermuda resources
This is an independent travel guide by CustomsBreeze. Confirm current requirements with the official sources below before you travel:
- gov.bmGovernment of Bermuda (immigration, visas & length of stay)
- customs.gov.bmH.M. Customs (the Traveller Declaration, duty-free & the $10,000 rule)
- gotobermuda.comBermuda Tourism Authority (official travel information)
- bermudaairport.comL.F. Wade International Airport (BDA) arrivals & terminals



