Planning a day of exploring Nassau on your own? You’ve probably got two main options: renting a traditional car, or renting an open-air buggy. Both will get you where you’re going — but the experience along the way is very different. Here’s how they compare.
Cost
Traditional car rentals in Nassau typically run in a similar price range to a buggy, but often come with additional fees — GPS rental, extra driver fees, and sometimes steep insurance add-ons at the counter. Bowcar’s buggy rentals are priced simply: $350 for 6 hours, $400 for 8 hours, or $450 for 24 hours, all-inclusive of fees and taxes — with multi-day rentals also available if you want your buggy for longer.
Built for Nassau’s Roads
Nassau’s roads aren’t always smooth — potholes and uneven surfaces are part of island life, especially once you venture beyond the main tourist strip. Our buggies come equipped with off-road tires designed to handle exactly these conditions, giving you a steadier, more comfortable ride than a standard car’s low-profile tires were ever built for.
The Experience
This is where the two options really part ways. A car keeps you sealed off from the island — air conditioning, windows up, watching Nassau go by through glass. A buggy puts you in it — open sides, ocean breeze, the sound of Junkanoo music drifting from a beach bar as you pass. For most visitors, especially those on a cruise stop with limited time, the buggy isn’t just transportation — it’s part of the adventure itself.
Parking & Getting Around
Nassau’s streets, especially near Bay Street and the cruise port, can get tight and congested. Buggies are compact and easy to park almost anywhere — including right at the beach. A full-size rental car can feel bulky and stressful to navigate through narrow local roads.
Storage That Actually Fits Your Day
Our buggies come with a rear compartment built for real island days — plenty of room for grocery runs, snorkel gear, a stroller, or a wheelchair. It’s the kind of practical space that makes a buggy just as functional as it is fun.
Group Size
Most standard rental cars seat up to 5 people. Bowcar’s 6-seater buggies fit one more passenger, so a group of 6 can stay together in one vehicle instead of needing a second car — a small difference that can save both money and hassle.
Gas Efficient
Beyond the experience, buggies are also a gas-efficient way to get around — using less fuel than a standard rental car, which is easier on your wallet and the island alike.
Who Should Choose What?
- Choose a car rental if: you prefer fully enclosed, air-conditioned transportation.
- Choose a buggy rental if: you’re a cruise passenger with a few hours in port, staying multiple days and want multi-day rental flexibility, want an experience as much as transportation, are traveling with a group of up to 6, need extra room for gear like snorkel equipment or a wheelchair, or want a vehicle better suited to Nassau’s rougher roads.
The Bottom Line
If you’re visiting Nassau to soak in the island — not just get from A to B — a buggy rental turns your travel time into part of the vacation, with the added benefit of tires built for wherever the road takes you. Book your Nassau buggy rental with Bowcar today, or explore all our tours and rentals.