Nassau Cruise Port to Downtown Nassau and Bay Street: Walk, Jitney or Taxi
Quick answer: You do not need transport for downtown Nassau. Ships dock at Prince George Wharf and Bay Street starts at the port gate. The Straw Market is about 5 minutes on foot, Junkanoo Beach 10–15 minutes and the Queen's Staircase about 12 minutes. For Cable Beach, take jitney #10 from Bay Street (about B$1.50 each way, exact cash, 2026). For Paradise Island, take the ferry from the port's own terminal (about US$7 each way, 2026) or a taxi. Be back on board 60 minutes before all-aboard, and leave Cable Beach or Paradise Island at least 2 hours before it (15:30 for a 17:30 all-aboard).
Where the cruise ships dock
Nassau is not a tender port. Every cruise ship docks at Nassau Cruise Port, Prince George Wharf, which has six berths and sits about 0.3 km from the centre of town.
The port was rebuilt and reopened fully in May 2023. The arrivals plaza holds the licensed taxi stand, the Ground Transportation Area (scooter and ATV rental), the ferry terminal, the Bahamas Museum of Junkanoo, shops and a police outpost.
Bay Street begins at the port gate. On a big day up to around 33,000 passengers can arrive at once, so the question is less how to reach town and more how to get away from the crowd.
Walking into downtown Nassau
Walking is the simplest option and it costs nothing. Downtown is flat and starts at the gate.
- ·Straw Market: about 5 minutes west along Bay Street.
- ·Junkanoo Beach: 10–15 minutes west along Bay Street, about 0.5–0.6 miles.
- ·Queen's Staircase and Fort Fincastle: about 12 minutes. Head east on Bay Street, then inland up Elizabeth Avenue.
- ·Arawak Cay (the Fish Fry): about 30 minutes on foot, so most people take a taxi, about 10 minutes.
Gotchas: pavements on Bay Street are narrow and busy, and traffic drives on the left. Look right first when you cross. The Queen's Staircase is a steep climb, so do it before the midday heat.
Jitney #10 to Cable Beach
The jitney is Nassau's public bus. For cruise passengers, the useful one is the #10 to Cable Beach. The #10A and #10B also go there by slightly different routes.
- ·Cost: about B$1.50 one way (2026).
- ·Time: about 20 minutes by road.
- ·Where to board: on Bay Street or Frederick Street, about 5 minutes' walk from the port.
- ·How to pay: cash only, exact change. US and Bahamian dollars are both accepted at par. You usually pay as you get off.
- ·Hours: roughly 06:00 to 18:30, every 10–15 minutes on the main routes at busy times. Service is thinner on Sundays.
There are no day passes. Drivers do not give change and do not take cards, so carry coins and small notes. Jitneys can be slow to fill, which matters on the way back.
Ferry to Paradise Island
The ferry leaves from the Ferry Terminal inside the cruise port, so you do not need to cross town to find it.
- ·Cost: about US$7 per person each way (2026).
- ·Time: about 10 minutes across the harbour.
- ·Departures: the port lists boats every 30 minutes from 09:00 to 12:00.
The port does not publish the afternoon return schedule. Ask the operator for the last return boat when you board, and budget for a taxi back if the timing looks tight. If you are heading to Atlantis, buy your day pass in advance. Atlantis sells a limited number per day and does not sell at the door.
Taxi
Licensed taxis wait at the stand in the arrivals plaza.
- ·Cost: a zone-based fare for the first two passengers, plus B$3 for each extra passenger. New Providence fares are set by zone under the Road Traffic regulations. The port, downtown, Cable Beach and Paradise Island are separate zones.
- ·Time: 10–20 minutes to Paradise Island, about 20 minutes to Cable Beach, about 10 minutes to Arawak Cay.
- ·How to pay: not every taxi takes cards, so carry cash. A tip of about 15% is customary.
Ask the fare before you get in. Some drivers quote a per-person price well above the zone rate. Uber and Lyft do not operate in Nassau. Scooters and ATVs are also rented at the port, but traffic is busy and the US State Department warns that rental injuries are common.
Comparing the options
| Option | Cost (2026) | Time | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walk | Free | 5–15 min | Bay Street, Straw Market, Junkanoo Beach, Queen's Staircase | Narrow pavements, left-hand traffic |
| Jitney #10 | About B$1.50 one way | About 20 min | Cable Beach | Exact cash only, no cards, slow to fill |
| Paradise Island ferry | About US$7 each way | About 10 min | Paradise Island, Atlantis, Cabbage Beach | Afternoon returns not published |
| Taxi | Zone fare for 2, plus B$3 per extra person | 10–20 min | Arawak Cay, Paradise Island, a late return | Agree the fare first, carry cash |
When to head back
The guide rule is to be back on board 60 minutes before all-aboard. Downtown is so close that a town day is low-risk. Cable Beach and Paradise Island are different: leave at least 2 hours before all-aboard.
| All-aboard | Leave Bay Street / Straw Market | Leave Junkanoo Beach or Queen's Staircase | Leave Cable Beach or Paradise Island |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16:00 | 14:55 | 14:45 | 14:00 |
| 17:00 | 15:55 | 15:45 | 15:00 |
| 17:30 | 16:25 | 16:15 | 15:30 |
From Arawak Cay, leave 70 minutes before all-aboard and take a taxi, about 10 minutes.
If you are running late, take a licensed taxi from any resort and agree the fare first. It is 10–20 minutes back to the port. Call the port agent number in your daily programme. The port's own line is +1 242 603 1870.
Common mistakes
- ·Paying a jitney with a large note. Drivers do not give change. Carry coins and small bills.
- ·Getting into a taxi without agreeing the fare. Fares are zone-based plus B$3 per passenger over two. Ask first.
- ·Relying on the ferry for a late return from Paradise Island. Only morning departures are published. Confirm the return on board, or plan for a taxi.
- ·Renting a jet ski from a beach operator. The US State Department reports deaths, injuries and assaults involving jet-ski operators. Use a licensed, insured company or skip it.
FAQ
Can you walk from Nassau cruise port to downtown?
Yes. Ships dock at Prince George Wharf and Bay Street starts at the port gate. The Straw Market is about 5 minutes away and Junkanoo Beach 10–15 minutes.
Is Nassau a tender port?
No. All cruise ships dock at the six berths of Nassau Cruise Port.
How do I get from Nassau cruise port to Cable Beach?
Walk about 5 minutes to Bay Street or Frederick Street and take jitney #10. It costs about B$1.50 each way in exact cash (2026) and takes around 20 minutes. A taxi also works; agree the fare first.
How do I get from the cruise port to Atlantis?
Take the ferry from the port's ferry terminal, about US$7 each way (2026), with departures every 30 minutes from 09:00 to 12:00. A taxi takes 10–20 minutes. Buy your Atlantis day pass in advance.
What is the closest beach to Nassau cruise port?
Junkanoo Beach, 10–15 minutes' walk west along Bay Street. Cable Beach and Cabbage Beach on Paradise Island are quieter but need transport.
For sights, food and safety, read the full Nassau port guide. To check these leave-by times against your ship, plan your day with your own all-aboard time.
Sources
- ·Nassau Cruise Port – About us
- ·Nassau Cruise Port – Transportation and parking
- ·Nassau Paradise Island (tourism board) – Getting around
- ·Road Traffic Department – Taxi-Cab (New Providence Zone Fares) Regulations
- ·Real Journey Travels – How to use the jitney bus in Nassau (2026)
- ·Atlantis Bahamas – Day passes
- ·US Department of State – The Bahamas travel advisory