Sint Maarten: Getting there & around

Travellers from the US have the best air service to Sint Maarten. There are direct flights between Philipsburg and New York and Miami. There are also direct flights from Paris and Amsterdam; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Antigua; Guadeloupe; and St Barts and Martinique, some of which land in Espérance on the French side.

Cruise ships land passengers in Philipsburg. There are numerous daily ferries to and from Anguilla; daily catamarans to and from St Barts; and a ferry several times a week to and from Saba. Yachts can clear immigration at Philipsburg; there are marinas at Philipsburg, Oyster Pond and Simpson Bay Lagoon.

Despite its dual nationality, the border crossings between the French and Dutch sides are marked only with inconspicuous signs and there are no stops or other formalities when crossing over.

There's a departure tax of US$20.00 from Juliana Airport.

Renting a car is the best way to get around Sint Maarten. There are scores of agencies and your home driver's license is valid. Driving is on the right. There are also motorcycles (motorcycle license required), scooters and bicycles available.

Taxis are plentiful and are a convenient and inexpensive way to get around during short stays.

There are two kinds of buses available: public buses that run between Philipsburg and Mullet Bay, Simpson Bay and Marigot on the French side; and smaller (and more frequent) private minivans. Service to other destinations on the Dutch side is sketchy, so touring the whole island by bus is not practical. Although there are no airport buses per se, if you're travelling light you can try catching one of the Philipsburg-Mullet Bay buses, which pass right by the airport.

Philipsburg is about a 15-minute drive from Juliana Airport. Taxis are available to and from Philipsburg.