Getting around in Barbados
Public transport on the island of Barbados
Charlie always says that two things truly show the ins and outs of a country: going to a supermarket that the locals frequent and taking the bus. In Barbados, both were certainly an adventure, but once you had worked it out, it didn’t seem so adventurous anymore.
There are three main options for public transport in Barbados: buses by Transport Board, Mini buses, and the so-called ZRs (also referred to as route taxis). The price is the same for all three for any origin or destination on the island, BBD 3.50 (Barbados Dollar, equivalent to USD 1.75).
Transport Board Buses
This is the official public transport company in Barbados and is regulated by the government. Those are big blue buses that you can see from afar. The newer ones are electric. You can find timetables online and those timetables are mostly accurate in the mornings. Don’t try to rely on it though in the afternoon as it is a matter of luck whether the bus runs or not and if it does, it gets crowded because the school kids are taking this bus too.
You can catch it from any bus stop along the route and the bus stops are clearly marked with a red circled sign. The signs also say clearly whether this side of the road is for the bus going towards or out of the city. The city means Bridgetown. That way you will never wait on the wrong side of the road.
It is important to know that for buses by Transport Board, you need to have the exact amount of 3.50 BBD in cash. The money will go into a box that the conductor can’t access. There is no option to get change.
Mini buses in Barbados
The so-called Mini Buses, although not really “mini”, are yellow and privately owned. They run regularly from any official bus stop and equally cost BBD 3.50 per journey. Charlie was not able to find out what the timetable was, but she saw them frequently passing between Oistins and Bridgetown.
ZRs or route taxis
The so-called ZRs are privately owned vans that can fit up to 15 people (or however many the driver thinks will fit). They often have a taxi sign on the roof, a sign with the destination in the front window, and the number plate starts with ZR. They stop at any bus stop, and sometimes also in between. Any opportunity they get to fill an additional seat, they will take. The driver sometimes even has an assistant who collects the money from the passengers and they can give change. You usually pay when you get off.
They sometimes play loud music and it can feel a bit like a party bus. Especially out in the countryside, you can open the windows, enjoy the landscape and feel the breeze. It is easy to take photos and they sometimes even stop for you to get the best shot.
Charlie found the ZRs to be the most reliable public transport option in Barbados and also the quickest. However, the way they drive isn’t exactly safe and they sometimes squeeze in more people than they should. They also take detours to collect more people. If you’re not sure where to get off, just tell the driver where you want to go and they will tell you when it’s time to hop off. You can catch them at any bus stop or even at random places on the road. Just make sure you give them a sign with your arm that you’d like to get on.
The ZRs don’t run by a fixed schedule. You can find the routes online though. Charlie noticed that they seemed to go to the same destinations as the buses by transport board.
How to really get around Barbados?
Throughout her stay, Charlie figured out a few tricks:
- Always have cash in BBD, and pay with the larger denominations in the ZRs to then have exact cash for the bus by Transport board.
- Check out the route for your destination via the website, then go to the respective bus stop and simply take the first bus that comes that shows the right destination, no matter which company.
- If unsure, ask the driver if he or she stops at your destination before getting on.
- Enjoy the ride and the views!
Taking the bus in Barbados
Charlie stayed in an AirBnB in Hastings. For most of the journeys she took, she either had to get to Oistins or Bridgetown. For that destination, you can stop any bus or van that passes by as long as you’re on the right side of the road.
Bridgetown itself has two main bus stations: Fairchild Street Terminal and Princess Alice Terminal which are 15 minutes on foot from each other. You can find out on the website of Transport Board which one you should go to. Next to both official stations are the stations where the ZRs and minibuses stop. If the bus by Transport Board doesn’t show up, you most likely have an alternative nearby. It is best to ask the people around. They are always friendly and will help you out.
Checking the route
It is recommended to have a good look at the map before you start your journey and to memorise any towns near your destination. The website of Transport Board has a search functionality where you can enter your destinations and it shows the bus route passing by the place:
When Charlie went to Moontown, she didn’t have the information you have now after reading this. What she was able to find was a bus connection by Transport Board from Princess Alice Terminal. She took a ZR to Bridgetown and waited, and waited, and waited… After two hours, the bus finally came and she went up to Moontown. That’s when she lost her faith in the timetables. Once she got there, she noticed that there were also ZRs in the area which she couldn’t find information about online. What she should have done instead was to take a minibus or ZR from Hastings to Speightstown and then catch any ZR further up north. It would have been a lot faster and saved her the two-hour-long wait.
On the way back, she couldn’t find out where in Speightstown the minibuses and ZRs would leave. She asked and was pointed towards a bus by Transport Board. This time, the bus was on time and it went straight over the ABC Highway to Oistins. That was okay, as Charlie knew that she could take a ZR from Oistins to Hastings. That was faster anyway than changing buses in Bridgetown.
In any way, if you are going around on your own, it is good to have a SIM card in your phone that gives you data in Barbados to check maps and bus connections on the go. Charlie used an eSim by Ubigi to get a data plan.
Taxis in Barbados
If you like to travel a bit more comfortably, there is always the option to get a taxi. They’re easily recognizable in the street by the taxi sign on the roof. You can just stop them and sometimes they even stop and ask if you need a taxi.
If you would like to take a taxi from the airport, you will easily find a taxi stand outside the airport. Simply tell them where you want to go and hop on. Prices are listed well visible by the taxi stand.
That taxi driver will likely give you his or her card so that you can call or message them whenever you need a taxi in Barbados. Just in case, here are some other taxi numbers Charlie was given:
- Lana Butler: +1 (246) 231-6557
- Fabian Jones +1 (246) 230-1312
- Trevor Pollard: +1 (246) 248-3918
E-bike hire in Barbados
Another option to get around the island, especially in the south where everything is flat is to hire an e-bike. Charlie had one for a few days and she enjoyed that flexibility. She hired from Captain Larry’s e-bikes. It was a little different than the e-bike she had hired in France in that sense that it would even provide power if you’re not pedaling, almost like a little motorcycle. It didn’t go faster than 17 mph though. If you want to hire one, you should book in advance via their website and make the payment online as they don’t handle payments on site.
One thing to be aware of though is that traffic in Barbados can be a little crazy and the quality of the roads can be challenging. Be sure to avoid any deep potholes.
Car hire in Barbados
As in any destination, you also have the option to hire a car in Barbados. Again, please be aware that the quality of the roads isn’t the best, and especially the crazy driving style of the ZRs might make it challenging. They easily recognize hire cars though because the number plates always start with an H.
After heavy tropical rain, the road might be flooded for a bit. The locals still drive through the big ponds on the road, but you might not be comfortable doing that in a hire car. And you should be aware that they drive (same as in the UK) on the left side of the road.
Useful links:
Frequently Asked Questions about public transport in Barbados
Can you explore Barbados by bus?
Yes, you can get to any place on the island by bus. You need to do some research though about the route and which line to take.
How much does it cost to take a bus in Barbados?
Any public transport journey in Barbados costs BBD 3.50 and you need it in cash. The smaller ZRs, give change, the bigger buses however don’t.
Is it safe to take a bus in Barbados?
Barbados is in general a safe country and the drivers and fellow passengers are always friendly and helpful. The driving style of the ZRs though isn’t always the safest. If that makes you uncomfortable stick to the bigger buses by Transport Board.
How can you get a taxi in Barbados?
There is a taxi stand outside the airport and you can also stop them in the street. You recognize a taxi by the yellow sign on the roof. In your accommodation, they can probably give you a taxi number too or even call one for you.
