The Bahamas car rentals

Nassau and Cable Beach hold most car-rental pickup points on New Providence. Most visitors fly into Lynden Pindling International Airport.

The Bahamas drives on the left. Most rental cars are left-hand drive, imported from the United States. This mix asks for extra care, especially when you pass another car.

Nassau has roundabouts at major intersections. Downtown Nassau gets heavy traffic at rush hour. Main roads are paved; some side streets are narrow.

Speed limits show in miles per hour, not kilometers. The limit is 25 mph in Nassau and other settlements. Outside settlements, the limit rises to 45 mph unless a sign says otherwise.

Third-party insurance is the legal minimum for any car on the road here. Rental providers include this minimum insurance in the price.

Watch for pedestrians and cyclists on busy streets in Nassau. They share the road with cars and taxis.

A valid license from your home country covers stays up to 3 months. Check the exact requirement with your car-rental provider.

Bring an International Driving Permit if your license is not in English. Some providers ask for one at pickup.

This guide covers driving rules, car types, pickup, and insurance. It applies to any car rental in Nassau or Cable Beach.

Every fact in this guide is checkable. A price or a fee can change. Ask your provider for the current figure.

Bring these documents to the pickup counter.

Car-rental providers in The Bahamas offer four common classes. Seat count and case space differ by class.

Most rental cars here have automatic transmission. Ask your provider if you need a manual car.

A smaller class suits a couple or a small family. A larger class suits a bigger group with more luggage.

Pick a class that fits your group size and your luggage. A larger class often costs more than a smaller class.

The Honda Odyssey minivan on this site seats 7 and holds 4 large cases. It has automatic transmission and air conditioning.

This minivan also has sliding doors and a reverse camera. It suits a larger family or group who travel with luggage.

Every listing on this site names its class, its seats, and its case count. Compare these numbers across listings before you book.

Ask your provider for the daily rate and the mileage terms. Prices change on the provider's site, so check the date on each listing.

Ask your provider about a child seat if your group needs one. Not every class carries one as standard.

Most providers meet you at Lynden Pindling International Airport. Avis, Hertz, Dollar, Thrifty, and Budget all serve this airport.

The car-rental center sits within walking distance of the terminal. Follow the signs from the arrivals hall.

Some providers run a shuttle to an offsite location instead. Ask your provider if a shuttle applies to your pickup.

Hertz and Budget also have a location in downtown Nassau. Ask your provider which pickup point fits your trip.

Some providers deliver a car to your villa. Ask the provider before you book.

Return the car to the pickup location, unless your provider agrees to a different point. Ask about a one-way fee if you plan to return it elsewhere.

Third-party insurance is the legal minimum for any car on the road here. Your provider includes this minimum cover in the price.

Third-party insurance covers damage you cause to another car or person. It does not cover damage to your own rental car.

Providers hold a deposit on a credit card at pickup. The provider releases the deposit after you return the car.

You pay at most the excess amount if the car is damaged. The excess amount can differ by car class.

Ask your provider for the exact excess on your chosen class. Ask about extra cover beyond the legal minimum, such as a lower excess.

Taxis in Nassau run on fixed rates set by zone. A zone crossing adds a small extra charge.

Uber and Lyft do not operate in Nassau. HOP and Bahamas Ride offer app-based rides with fixed fares shown before you book.

Cable Beach puts many restaurants within walking distance. A car is not always needed there.

Downtown Nassau puts the Straw Market and Bay Street shops close to the cruise port.

Pedestrian and cyclist accidents happen on New Providence roads. Walking or a taxi avoids this risk for a short trip.

Some villas include an airport transfer. Ask your provider before you book.

Do you need a car in Nassau or Cable Beach? Cable Beach sits within walking distance of restaurants near Baha Mar Resort. Downtown Nassau holds shops and the cruise port close by. A car helps for trips between the two areas.

Which side of the road do you drive on? The Bahamas drives on the left. Most rental cars are left-hand drive, imported from the United States.

What driving license do you need? A valid license from your home country covers stays up to 3 months. Check the exact requirement with your provider.

Can you use a ride-hailing app instead? Uber and Lyft do not operate in Nassau. HOP and Bahamas Ride offer fixed-fare rides through an app.

Do you need extra insurance? Third-party insurance is the legal minimum, and your provider includes it in the price. Ask about extra cover for a lower excess.

Do you need an International Driving Permit? Bring one if your license is not in English. Some providers ask for one at pickup.

Where do you return the car? Ask your provider whether return happens at the airport or at another location.

Can you rent a car in downtown Nassau instead of the airport? Hertz and Budget both have a location in downtown Nassau. Ask your provider about pickup there.

Does the price include fuel? Ask your provider about the fuel policy before you drive off.

Do you need a credit card for the deposit? Providers hold the deposit on a credit card, not a debit card. Ask your provider before you travel.

Do pedestrians and cyclists share the road? Yes, and accidents involving them happen on New Providence roads. Slow down in busy parts of Nassau.

What happens if you damage the car? You pay at most the excess amount. The exact excess differs by car class and provider.

Is a manual car available? Most rental cars here have automatic transmission. Ask your provider if you need a manual car.

How far is Cable Beach from the airport? Cable Beach sits about 6 km (4 miles) from Lynden Pindling International Airport by road.

How do you book a car here? You book directly on the listing's booking provider, such as Rentalcars.com. The provider takes payment for the deposit at pickup.