Quick answer. The Barbados dollar is fixed at BBD 2 = US$1, and US dollars are accepted almost everywhere, with change in Barbados dollars. Taxis are unmetered: the dispatcher outside arrivals quotes a set fare, roughly US$26 to St Lawrence Gap, US$37 to Bridgetown and US$61 to Holetown, and drivers take cash in either currency. The public bus costs BBD 3.50 in exact change. The airport's bank machines dispense Barbados dollars only. Scotiabank is a Bank of America Global ATM Alliance partner in Barbados: BoA's $5 non-network fee is waived, but the 3% international transaction fee still applies.
Where to get Barbados dollars at BGI
At BGI the cheapest money is a card with no foreign transaction fee; cash US dollars convert at the fixed two to one. Figures assume $100 worth of spending.
| Option | Where | Markup | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paying by a no-FX-fee card, in Barbados dollars | Everywhere | Network rate | ~$100 |
| Paying in US cash at two to one | Taxis, hotels, restaurants | None at the fixed rate; change comes in BBD | ~$100-102 |
| Bank ATM, in Barbados dollars | Departures and airside | Operator fee plus your bank's fee | ~$103-106 |
| Exchange bureau | Arrivals hall | Below the fixed rate plus fees | ~$104-108 |
Bank machines at Barbados (BGI), the taxi dispatcher and the bus stop
Grantley Adams sits at the south-eastern tip of Barbados, about 20 minutes from the south coast hotels and 45 minutes or more from the west coast. Arrivals and departures are separate halls in one terminal. The airport's machines take Visa, Mastercard, Discover and American Express and dispense Barbados dollars only; most are in the departures public area and the airside shops, so do not count on finding one the moment you clear customs. You can manage the first day without: the taxi dispatcher, the hotels and most restaurants take US dollars at the fixed rate of two to one. On the island, Scotiabank, CIBC Caribbean, Republic Bank and RBC run the machines. The Barbados money guide covers tipping, the service charge and island prices.
Arrivals hall
All international flights: American, JetBlue, Delta, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Air Canada, WestJet and the regional carriers
After customs, the hall has the taxi dispatcher, car hire and hotel desks, and an exchange bureau. Machines are mainly in the departures area and the airside shops; if you need Barbados dollars straight away, ask at the information desk which machine is nearest.
Departures hall and airside shops
All departing flights
Most of the airport's bank machines are here, in the public area and among the shops after security. All dispense Barbados dollars only. Spend your Barbados notes before you leave; they are hard to change outside the island.
Bus stop and minibuses
Transport Board buses and private ZR vans
On the road outside the terminal. Government buses charge a flat BBD 3.50 in exact change, notes unfolded, and give no change. Private minibuses and ZR vans charge the same fare.
Do you actually need cash at Barbados (BGI)?
For the taxi, yes, but US dollars do the job. For the bus, Barbados dollars in exact change:
Taxi to St Lawrence Gap and Dover (about BBD 53 (US$26.50)): About 15-20 minutes; set fare, quoted by the dispatcher, cash in either currency.
Taxi to Bridgetown (about BBD 74 (US$37)): About 30 minutes; vans cost about 1.5 times as much.
Taxi to Holetown and the west coast (about BBD 122 (US$61)): About 45-60 minutes; agree the fare before you leave.
Bus or ZR van (BBD 3.50 flat): Exact change in Barbados dollars; no change given.
⚠ DCC trap. When the ATM or terminal asks if you want to be charged in your home currency instead of the local currency, always decline and choose the local currency. Accepting locks in a 3-13 percent markup that your no-FX-fee card cannot undo. Full DCC explainer →
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need cash to get from Barbados (BGI) to Bridgetown?
Yes for a taxi, but US dollars are fine: the dispatcher quotes a set fare, which drivers accept in US or Barbados dollars at two to one. If you plan to take the bus, you need BBD 3.50 in exact change, so get a few Barbados coins and small notes first.
Can I order Barbados dollars before flying?
Not needed. US dollars are accepted at the fixed rate of two Barbados dollars to one, so most American visitors bring small US notes and a no-fee card. CEI Currency Exchange ships US dollars in small denominations if you want them ready.
How much is a taxi from Barbados airport?
Barbados taxis have no meters and charge set fares, which the dispatcher outside arrivals quotes before you get in. As a guide, about 53 Barbados dollars (26.50 US dollars) to St Lawrence Gap, 74 (37 US) to Bridgetown and 122 (61 US) to Holetown. Vans cost more. Confirm the total and the currency before you leave.
Can I pay the bus in Barbados with US dollars?
Plan on Barbados dollars. The flat fare is 3.50 Barbados dollars, drivers give no change, and the Transport Board does not say that US currency is accepted. Keep a stock of 1 dollar coins and 2 dollar notes.
Is Scotiabank in Barbados part of the Global ATM Alliance?
Yes. Scotiabank is Bank of America's Global ATM Alliance partner in Barbados, so a BoA debit card avoids BoA's 5 dollar non-network fee and the operator's fee at Scotiabank machines. BoA's 3 percent international transaction fee still applies.