Overview
Barbados may be a typical Caribbean island, with its powder-white sand beaches and turquoise waters, but it offers much more than just a beach vacation. Those who come here for the first time will nevertheless immediately want to rush to one of the 113 km long sandy beaches and swim in the shallow water. Most tourists prefer western Barbados’ legendary Platinum Coast, home to world-class hotels and spas, fine dining and immaculate golf courses. The best beaches are on the south coast, while the less touristy east coast on the Atlantic Ocean is more popular with surfers. Although the interior is not as spectacular as on other Caribbean islands, jeep safaris still offer interesting tours to old sugar mills, historic plantation houses, traditional churches and to Bridgetown, a colonial city. Rum, which can be purchased in more than 1,500 shops, is the national drink of Barbados, and numerous calypso festivals invite you to experience and participate. As a big step on the way to coming to terms with its colonial past, Barbados broke away from the British royal family in 2021 and became a parliamentary republic. Since then, the head of state of Barbados has been a Barbadian President. See other countries in North America on softwareleverage.
Getting there
Arriving by plane
Condor (DE) and Eurowings (EW) fly from Frankfurt/M. to Barbados (Bridgetown). There are no direct flights from Austria and Switzerland to Bridgetown in Barbados. The following airlines fly to Barbados via Toronto in cooperation with Air Canada (AC): – Lufthansa (LH) from Frankfurt/M. and Munich; – Swiss International (LX) from Zurich and – Austrian Airlines (OS) from Vienna. British Airways (AB) flies to Barbados from all major German airports as well as from Zurich, Geneva and Vienna with airport changes in London (Heathrow – Gatwick).
Flight times
Frankfurt/M. – Bridgetown: 13 hrs 45 mins; Zurich – Bridgetown: 13 hrs 55 mins; Vienna – Bridgetown: 14 hrs 40 mins
Departure fee
Already included in the flight ticket.
Arrival by car
Tolls: There are no toll roads in Barbados. Documents: The national driving license is not sufficient. In order to be able to rent a motor vehicle in Barbados, a temporary driving license (max. two months) is issued by the rental car company or the police. Both the national and the international driving license must be presented.
Arrival by ship
International cruise lines call at the Bridgetown Cruise Terminals in the Port of Bridgetown. The cruise ship terminal offers several duty-free shops, a local goods market, restaurant/bar, tourist information, currency exchange, car rental desk, business services centre.
Cruise ships
The ships of the following shipping companies, among others, dock in Bridgetown on their cruises: TUI Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Cunard, Norwegian Cruise Line, AIDA, Star Clippers and Princess Cruises.
Transportation
Traveling by car/bus
Barbados has a well-developed road network. The drive from Bridgetown to Speightstown is approximately 30 minutes and Holetown and Oistins are approximately 20 minutes. Tolls: There are no toll roads in Barbados.
Right-hand traffic/left-hand traffic
Left
Condition of the roads
Most roads are in very good condition; Away from the motorways, however, it is quite narrow and heavily trafficked. In rural areas, travelers should expect potholes.
Car rental
Different types of vehicles from mopeds to limousines can be rented at the airport, from car rental companies in Bridgetown or large hotels on an hourly, daily or weekly basis.
Taxi
Taxis are not metered in Barbados. The prices for a trip depend on the distance to the destination. It is best to ask the price before you start your journey. There are taxi ranks at the airport, the port, downtown Bridgetown and many other locations around the island. Taxis can also be ordered from hotels.
Bicycle
Bicycles and scooters can be rented on the island at reasonable prices.
Coach
Transport Board runs regular bus services between Bridgetown and all parts of the island from 6am. Timetables and further information online at Transport Board. Yellow minibuses with blue stripes and white ZR vans with brown stripes are available throughout the island. Mini buses can be stopped at any time.
Regulations
Traffic regulations: seat belts are compulsory. Speed limits: within built-up areas: 32 km/h; outside built-up areas: 48 km/h.
Documentation
The national driving license is not sufficient. In order to be able to rent a motor vehicle in Barbados, a temporary driving license (max. two months) is issued by the rental car company or the police. Both the national and the international driving license must be presented.
Traveling in the city
Bridgetown has a regular bus network. Taxis operate everywhere in the city.
