Getting Around St Martin

Whether you are accommodated on the French or Dutch side of the island, getting around St Martin and travelling between the two territories is fuss free and easy. There are no border checks or boundaries to worry about as you cruise around the island, making any mode of transport straight forward and convenient as far as that’s concerned. Don’t be afraid to get lost as you explore the island – you can’t exactly lose your way on such a tiny piece of land. There’s only one main road that leads around the almost circular shaped island, with additional smaller roads leading to various different towns and villages along the way.

Car & Bike Rental

Renting a car is very popular as it makes getting around St Martin easy and you can come and go as you please, when you please. There are plenty of international and local car hire companies to choose from, such as Avis, Hertz and Automax, who all offer competitive prices for both long and short term car rentals. Getting around St Martin using a car means you will get the most from your stay on the island, reaching different parts of Saint Martin every day. Simply approach a car rental agency on the island and they’ll sort the rest for you in no time at all. Be sure to familiarise yourself with the French driving rules before getting around St Martin by car though.

Many visitors rent cars upon arrival at Princess Juliana International Airport. If you haven’t already made a car-rental reservation, you can choose from one of the many agencies that have kiosks at the airport, both international chains (like Budget, Avis, and Hertz) and local. To get around the law (strictly enforced by St. Maarten taxi drivers’ union) that forbids anyone from picking up a car at the airport, every rental agency parks its cars at a location nearby. When you rent a car at one of the agency kiosks on the arrivals floor of the Princess Juliana airport, you will be taken by company shuttle 5 to 10 minutes away to pick up your car. Car rental prices start from approx. $30 or 21€ a day with unlimited millage and short distances between towns.

If you would prefer to feel the sunshine on your face as you explore the island then you may like to hire a bicycle or rent a scooter instead. Both options are available on the island and there are companies and shops who offer great deals, although there is not huge demand for either. Getting around St Martin by bicycle is a fantastic way to see the island as a slower pace, plus it’s a great way to keep fit whilst on trip.

Boat

If you are planning on getting around St Martin by boat then chances are you will need to moor up in Simpson Bay Lagoon at some point during your stay. You can enter Simpson Bay Lagoon through two moving bridges; one on the French side of the island, the other on the Dutch side. When open, the bridges stop the flow of traffic for a few minutes at a time.

– Sandy Ground Bridge is on the French side. For information call 0590 872043 / VHF Channel 16.
– Simpson Bay Bridge is on the Dutch side. VHF Channel 12.

Taxis

Getting around St Martin by taxi is often quick and convenient for many people. There are taxi cars available around the clock, arriving and departing from all major towns, such as Philipsburg, Marigot, both airports and various other smaller areas. None of the taxis have meters; all pricing is fixed by location. This way at least you can be prepared as repeated journeys should of course be roughly the same each time. However, it’s worth baring in mind that the fare will fluctuate a little depending on whether you have more than one piece of luggage with you and if there’s more than 2 travelling in the vehicle. It’s also important to know that some taxis only accept US Dollars, especially on the Dutch side. It’s always worth double checking the price for your journey prior to setting off too.

As a general guide, although fares can vary between the French and Dutch as times, a journey from Princess Juliana International Airport to Grand Case Airport will cost approx. $25. Travel from Marigot to Grand Case Airport and it may cost approx. $15.

Public Bus

If you are looking for the cheapest mode of transport for getting around St Martin then consider using the local public buses (or more like minivan). They may be a little less convenient and over-crowded at times, but they are certainly cheap to use. Buses run daily from 5am until midnight and serve most major towns on both sides of the island. The public buses are privately owned and tend to keep to specific routes. The fare is about $2 (a little more after 8pm) and both dollars and euros are accepted as payment.

Always make sure you have quality travel insurance before taking your vacation.