Car Hire in Barbados

Why hire a car in Barbados?

Best known for its splendid beaches, Barbados is one of the most famous destinations in the Caribbean. As if that wasn’t enough reason to visit, the island nation is also home to a diverse culture, cultural monuments, and several splendid protected areas.

Top ways to enter Barbados

• Bridgetown Airport. Located some 13 km (8 miles) from the city centre, Grantley Adams Airport is the entry point for virtually all foreign visitors. In addition to plenty of connections with North America and the rest of the Caribbean, there are also flights to and from such faraway places as the United Kingdom, Netherlands, and Germany.

Top cities and places to visit

• Bridgetown. One of the most historical cities in the Caribbean, Bridgetown punches way above its weight when it comes to landmarks and architecture. The city centre has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site, while the Barbados Museum, which has notable exhibitions on the indigenous inhabitants of the island and the slavery era, is the best place to learn about the history behind it all.
• Bathsheba. An old fishing village, Bathsheba is one of the most popular attractions on the island’s eastern coast. Known for its golden beach and serene atmosphere, it also provides access to the surrounding rainforests and the nearby Andromeda Botanic Gardens.
• Foul Bay. Its name might not suggest as much — it allegedly originated from the heavy fishing that used to take place in the area — but Foul Bay embodies much of the postcard perfectness that the coast of Barbados is known for abroad. A sandy beach surrounded by palm trees and coastal cliffs, it also offers access to much of the island’s southeast.

Most popular hire car

The most hired car in Barbados is the Nissan Micra, followed by the Toyota Yaris and the Chevrolet Spark. The most popular car types are economy, mini, and intermediate.

Driving licence requirements

• Barbados recognizes foreign driver’s licenses if they are written in the Latin alphabet and if you’re visiting for tourism purposes. If you’re a permanent resident of Barbados, you need to acquire a local driver’s license.
• If your driver’s license is in another alphabet (e.g., Cyrillic or Arabic), you need to have an International Driving Permit (IDP).
• Even if you have an IDP, you still need to also provide your valid driver’s license from your country
• You must carry your driver’s license, not a copy, with you at all times. 
• You need to have had your driver’s license for at least two years.
• Some rental car suppliers charge a young driver fee for drivers between the ages of 22 and 25 and a senior driver fee for drivers over the age of 65.
• There may be additional requirements depending on the car supplier and category, so make sure to check the terms and conditions before booking.

Most popular types of hire car

The most hired car in Barbados is the Nissan Micra, followed by the Toyota Yaris and the Chevrolet Spark. The most popular car types are economy, mini, and intermediate.

Top driving routes

• Inland. Although not as popular as the coasts, the inland parts of Barbados can be just as fun to explore. Many notable attractions are located around the central part of the island, such as the beautiful Flower Forest, Hunte’s Gardens, Harrison’s Cave known for its stalactites, and the lesser-known, but equally interesting Coles Cave.
• Diving and surfing. Barbados is a world-class destination when it comes to water sports, and the small size of the island means you’re never too far away from the next awesome wave to ride. Most of the diving sites are located along the western coast of the island while the surfing hotspots are in the east (the Soup Bowl) and south (Silver Sands).

Car hire prices in Barbados

• Small cars - starting at £29 per day
• SUVs - starting at £27 per day
• Medium cars - starting at £31 per day
• People Carriers - starting at £39 per day
• Large cars - starting at £27 per day
• Station wagons - starting at £38 per day

How can I save money on my hire car?

There are several good methods to find a cheaper car for hire:

• Compare rates of different car hire supppliers
• Book your vehicle well in advance
• Plan your route before you go
• Know your fuel and mileage requirements
• Visit in the month when the car hire prices are the cheapest. According to our data, visiting Barbados is the cheapest in May when hiring a car is about 21% cheaper than the yearly average and about 37% cheaper than hiring a car in December.