Arrivals & Customs at Bermuda

Bermuda is easily accessible through international flights from North America, United Kingdom and Continental Europe. All flights land at Bermuda International Airport in St. George. Air coaches and Taxis are readily available outside the Arrivals gate. Rental cars are not allowed on Bermudan roads.

The approximate Taxi fare, excluding tip, to Hamilton is $20 and $10 to St. George’s. Visitors from North American, UK and Europe should preferably have their passports; however an original birth certificate, Citizenship papers or Green Card along an official photo ID are also accepted.

Bermuda International Airport became the L.F. Wade International Airport on April 16, 2007, in honour of the late L. F. Wade, then Progressive Labour Party Leader of the Opposition

Airport Departure Taxes

The main airport departure tax itself was last raised in April 2001 to $25 per person from $20. The tax is payable by departing residents and visitors. It is built into the cost of an airline ticket and is payable by the airlines to the Bermuda Government. Plus, since 2002 there is the Airport Security fee of $4.25 per passenger and from April 2003 - built into the local Civil Airports Act 1949 - there is now a Passenger Facility Charge (PFC), payable by each passenger, not the airlines, at the rate of $4 per ticket on USA-bound tickets and $3 per ticket for Canada and UK-bound tickets. (All taxes are built-in to the cost of air tickets).

Visitors may bring in, duty free for personal use only while they are in Bermuda, their clothes and articles like cameras, golf bags, 50 cigars or 200 cigarettes or 0.454 kilos (1 pound weight) tobacco; 1 liter of liquor or wine and a $30 gift allowance (compared to $100 in the USA) . If they bring in any more in gifts or their value, they can be charged a heavy rate of duty - over 25% of value - unlike in USA, Britain and Europe, where it does not matter whether your gifts are for yourself or a member of your family or associate or a complete stranger.

Passengers arrive at Departures by taxi or mini-bus or, if staying with friends, by private car. Areas designate each commercial airline serving Bermuda. On the ground floor are check-in facilities. A fiber optic ring links the terminals with Bermuda Customs and Immigration computers. Television monitors and flight display units give airline logo and departing flights information. Most departing passengers are tourists. Others go on business or pleasure or to shop in the USA. Passengers check in at their airline counters.

Those going to the USA have a major advantage. In Bermuda, before they leave, irrespective of nationality, they get US Customs and Immigration clearance. It means that on arrival in the USA, they can pick up their baggage and go, having already gone through the Customs and Immigration procedures.  They pay for it in Bermuda but it is a huge convenience. After checking in, those bound for Canada or United Kingdom are directed to their departure lounge on the ground floor. Canadian and British authorities require their passengers to wait until they arrive in those countries before they go through their Immigration and Customs procedures. Departure lounges have Airport Shops, Specialty Kiosk, Concessions, a Coffee and Sandwiches stand.

Airport closes at night

Bermuda International Airport closes at night after the last flight. Under no circumstances are any passengers allowed to sleep there overnight. When it closes, all facilities - restrooms, etc. - close as well. Security guards enforce the closure. All are expected to go home or to an hotel. 

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