How to get to Saint Barthelemy : Practical information

Practical information on Saint Barthelemy : How to get there

Plane

Long-haul flights can not land in this airport, due to the tiny size of its runway. You will definitely have to change planes on one of the neighbouring islands. From Pointe-a-Pitre (Guadeloupe), you can reach Saint Barth by regular air shuttles operated by Air Caraibes; from Saint Martin you can choose between Winair, Air Caraibes and Saint Barth Commuter.

Air links are ensured with neighbouring Saint Martin, Guadeloupe, Anguilla, Saint Kitts, Nevis, Dominica and the American Virgin Islands (Saint Thomas and Sainte Croix).

Saint Barth’s runway is so short that pilots need a special licence to be allowed to land here. Landing is a spectacular and original adventure, though rest assured that it is completely safe. For obvious security reasons, planes can not take off or land at night time.

Long-haul flights arriving from the United States (American Airlines, Continental Airlines, US Air) or Europe (Air France, Corsair, KLM) land at Juliana Airport in Dutch Saint Martin, at Pointe-a-Pitre airport on Guadeloupe or Saint Thomas in the Virgin Islands.

Air Caraibes and Air Antilles Express link Saint Barthelemy to Guadeloupe, and Saint Barth Communter shuttles to and fro from Saint Martin. Winair commutes from Saint Martin, and Air Saint Thomas respectively from Saint Thomas, but also Puerto Rico and Virgin Gorda.

Shuttle flights are frequent between Saint Martin and Saint Barth, and the flight is a mere ten minutes long. Guadeloupe is 45 minutes away. Chartering a plane is also possible.

AEROPORT GUSTAVE III Tel : 05 90 27 63 56

NEVIS EXPRESS Tel : 869 469 9065

Regular airlines

WINAIR Tel : 05 90 27 61 01

SAINT-BARTH COMMUTEUR Tel : 05 90 27 54 54 Fax : 05 90 27 54 58

Charter airlines

INTER ISLAND EXPRESS Tel : + 787 253 1400

TYDEN AIR Tel : + 1 264 497 2719

CARAIB AVIATION Tel : + 1 268 462 31 47

Private jet

The runway is 640 m long, and landing is often rendered difficult by turbulence. As a consequence of these factors, French civil aviation demands a special certificate from pilots intending to land regularly on Saint Barth. Mechanics are available on site, but note that there is no carburant for re-charge. For refuelling, it is best to choose the airport of Grand Case on Saint Martin. A general declaration of immigration must be presented to the immigration officer on arrival or departure; he or she is available at the entry of the runway.

Baggage allowance

Baggage allowance is strongly limited on arrival by plane, so if you are planning to stay a longer time and thus need to bring more luggage, take the necessary steps to send it by another means of transport.

PBD Tel : 05 90 87 70 96 Fax : 05 90 87 87 05

Boat

If you do not trust short runways, take the other option: the boat shuttle from Saint Martin. The crossing is a mere hour and a half, and an easy one in case of good weather. In the event of wind, though, be sure to bring some medicine against seasickness if you are the sensitive type, as waves may be unpredictable in the canal.

Regular maritime companies

VOYAGER Tel : 05 90 27 54 10 Fax : 05 90 29 34 79

GUSTAVIA EXPRESS Tel : 05 90 27 54 65 Fax : 05 90 52 98 86

THE EDGE Tel : +599 54 42 640

Private transfer

MASTER SKI PILOU Adresse : Sur le port Gustavia Tel : 05 90 27 91 79 Fax : v

Arriving by private boat

The port is equipped to accommodate yachts of all sizes, though we would recommend that you contact the harbour management to make sure there is available parking space.

CAPITAINERIE DU PORT DE GUSTAVIA Tel : 05 90 27 66 97