Bermuda

One of Bermuda's few taxes is its steep import duty. This varies depending on the item and the importer. Some items are tax exempt when brought in for personal use (books, educational materials). The duty on cars is fixed to their value. If the cost of the vehicle before it is landed is less than BD$ 10,000, the duty is 80%. For cars costing $10,000 or greater, before landing, the duty is 100%. The dealer must add his own profit margin on top of this. Each person arriving on the island is allowed a $100 exemption, but if a visitor is deemed to be carrying more than that amount he/she will be subject to the duty on the excess value.

By plane

• Bermuda International Airport (IATA: BDA) (ICAO: TXKF), Phone +1 (441) 293-2470, [1]. There are daily flights from Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Charlotte, Newark, New York, Philadelphia, Toronto and Washington, together with less frequent flights from other US and Canadian cities. British Airways and Zoom Airlines fly from London (Gatwick) to Bermuda and Eurofly operates a weekly flight from Milan via Munich with an Airbus in executive class configuration.

There is a $25 airport tax for all passengers. Bermuda's Airport has the worlds highest parking fee for airlines, so the overall price for the air ticket (inc. all taxes) is considerably higher than for many Caribbean destinations. Arriving passengers will need to pass through immigration and customs, and non-residents must have a return or onward ticket. Importation of narcotics and weapons (including all forms of guns) is strictly prohibited, as are any live marine animals. The airport is situated in St. George's Parish, adjacent to Castle Harbor, and nearer St George's than Hamilton (though no part of Bermuda is far from any other). If you are arriving on an inclusive tour, then your tour operator will probably have arranged onward transportation to your hotel by private bus. The airport is well served by local public buses, but unfortunately these will not accept luggage. Taxis are available at the airport; depending on time of arrival and destination they may cost up to $50. Hire cars are not available (see 'Get Around' below).

By boat/yacht

Bermuda receives many visits from cruise ships during the summer months, with most ships operating from the ports of Baltimore, Boston, Bayonne, New York, Norfolk, Miami/Ft Lauderdale, and Philadelphia on the eastern seaboard of the United States. The same immigration and customs rules apply as for arrival by air (above). There are three different locations cruise ships may stop at in Bermuda, and some vessels visit more than one of these in a single cruise:

• Hamilton. Cruise ships berth here alongside Front Street, one of the main streets of Bermuda's capital. Passengers here have access to the shops and restaurants of Hamilton, and can reach the rest of the islands using the bus and ferry systems described in 'Get About' below.
• Saint George. Cruise ships berth near the main square of the small town and historic former capital. Passengers can reach Hamilton and Flatts Village directly by bus, and other locations by changing in Hamilton.
• The Dockyard. This berth is situated in the historic naval dockyard complex at the extreme 'western' end of the island beyond Somerset. This is currently the only location in Bermuda that can accommodate the largest of cruise ships. Passengers can reach Hamilton directly by bus or ferry, and other locations by changing there.

Bermuda is a favorite, if challenging destination for off-shore yacht crews. Crossing from the US mainland or the Azores can take up to 3 weeks in the notorious calm of summer. The rest of the year there might be too much wind: nor'easters to hurricanes. Another hazard: lots of floating debris from sunken ships and the hurricanes of the the last few years. Within a 200 nm radius from Bermuda collisions with solid objects are frequent and often deadly. Yachts have to clear in at St George. Only bargain left in the islands: bring your own boat and anchor, moor or dock for free in all the islands' coves for up to 6 months. Check in is only $15.-/pp ($10 cheaper than by air).