How to get to Saint Martin : Practical information

Practical information for Saint Martin : How to get there ?

By plane

Airports

The island disposes of two airports: Juliana, on the Dutch side, welcoming long-haul flights and a few regional ones. Esperance is situated in Grand Case, a small and cute airport, hosting only flights by Air Caraibes and Saint Barth Commuter.  

Airport taxes

The sole tax that will be asked of you on the island is on leaving it: you will have to pay 20 $ or 25 €.. Arriving from the mainland there is no way to avoid this tax, as Juliana (Dutch part) is the only airport where long haul flights land. If you arrive from Martinique or Guadeloupe, however, you will depart from Grand Case Esperance and will be exempt from paying the tax. Prepare your cash and be prepared to have exact change, as otherwise you will be obliged to go to the airport’s money exchange point, where commissions are higher than anywhere else.

Transatlantic airlines

All companies arrive and depart from Orly and Roissy Charles de Gaulle. Reduced fares are sometimes available when booking months in advance. Passenger seats are divided into several reservation categories and prices may vary with differences as high as double price on the same flight for the same services. This is because airlines often choose to advertise their flights by selling their first 20 seats at an extremely attractive price. Once this quota has been filled, fares will increase according to the number of seats available. In this way, the earlier you book, the more chances you have of paying a reasonable fare. Don’t expect a direct flight from Saint Martin towards Metropolitan France, you will usually have to change on Guadeloupe, or Saint Domingue if you are flying Air France. 

By boat

An original and adventurous way to cross the Atlantic, becoming more and more popular each year. The crossing itself is an integral part of your travel if you choose to take the boat, the atmosphere is charming and adventuresome, and you are catered and accommodated and all your needs are attended to during the 10-12 days of your stay on board – an important fact to consider, as otherwise it would be difficult to imagine why it costs more than taking the plane. Boats disserve only Guadeloupe and Martinique, from where you will have to take a plane to access Saint Martin.