St Maarten Airport Transfers

On your visit to the island of Sint Maarten, find out how to get between the airport and the city. Here are some options!

Ana Caballero

Ana Caballero

6 min read

St Maarten Airport Transfers

Avión en el cielo |©Aero Icarus

Embarking on a trip to enjoy the best things to do in Sint Maarten requires good planning, starting with the transfer from the Princess Juliana International Airport to the city, approximately 10.7 kilometres away. You'll need to know which are the main means of transport to get around safely, comfortably and quickly because, once you get off the plane, you'll have several transport alternatives with differences in price, availability and comfort.

A shared transfer, comfort at a reasonable price

two people in one car|©RDNE Stock project
two people in one car|©RDNE Stock project

With a shared transfer from Princess Juliana International Airport to the city centre, you can travel in comfort and at a reasonable price in a bus or minibus. When you get off the plane and after collecting your luggage, you will go to the arrival hall of the airport, where a sign with your name written on it will be waiting for you. You will have to identify yourself and then you will be escorted to the bus.

If you wish to hire this type of transfer you will obtain some benefits such as:

  • Comfort: you will be able to relax without having to carry your suitcases by your side. In addition, you will be able to connect your devices and you will have Wi-Fi connection.
  • Reasonable price: you will pay less than half the price of a private transfer or taxi.
  • Availability: usually from 7:00 am to 9:00 pm.

This saves you money and time, which you can later use to book a guided tour of St. Maarten, for example.

Interesting details

  • **Duration of the trip:**about 60 minutes.
  • Price: from €10 per person.
  • Advantages of using this method: you will travel a direct route from the airport to the city centre, without having to change trains.
  • How to book this transport: you must go to the website of the selected transfer company and then register by providing some personal details and the arrival time of your flight.
  • Recommended if... you don't mind travelling from the airport to the city with a group of strangers.

Book a guided tour of Sint Maarten

A private transfer, comfort and exclusivity

driver in the car|©Oleksandr P
driver in the car|©Oleksandr P

This is a service that will allow you to travel in comfort and in a private way, as you will have a car reserved especially for you and your companions.

A driver will be waiting for you in the arrival hall of the airport. Moreover, with this door-to-door service you will save significant time, as you will go directly to your place of accommodation.

This way, you will be able to start your itinerary of activities immediately. For example, take a private tour of St. Maarten, visit the island's beaches, enjoy water activities or sample the local cuisine at the Marigot Market.

Useful details

  • Journeytime: from 30 minutes, depending on traffic.
  • Price: from €62.
  • Advantages of using this method: you won't have to share the car with strangers, transfer or deal with luggage, as this is an exclusive service from the airport to the door of your hotel.
  • How to book this transport: you will have to access the website of the company connected for the transfer and proceed to fill in the corresponding form, providing some information regarding the flight and the hotel where you plan to stay.
  • Recommended if... you want a door-to-door transfer service without delays.

Book a private tour of Sint Maarten

Private transfer vs. shared transfer

Private and shared transfers are good options for getting from Princess Juliana International Airport to Sint Maarten. They are a couple of alternatives that, although they provide a comfortable and safe service, have some differences that you should consider:

  • Private transfer
  • The transfer takes place immediately after connecting with the driver.
  • Cost: 50% more expensive or even more
  • Exclusivity: you will travel alone or with your group (no more than five people)
  • Arrival: door-to-door service
  • Shared transfer
  • Pick-up: you will have to wait for the arrival of other passengers arriving on different flights
  • Cost: you will save more than 50%
  • Exclusivity: maximum of 21 strangers.
  • Arrival: door-to-door service

By bus, longer but cheaper

bus in St. Maarten|©verplanck
bus in St. Maarten|©verplanck

The public bus is the longest option for getting from Princess Juliana International Airport to the city, but it's certainly the cheapest transfer service you'll find. There is no formal transport system onSt Martin's Island, but there are several minibus routes, whose number plates are marked with the letter B and a sign indicating where they go.

When you leave the air terminal you have to walk about 100 metres to the main road to find a stop where several minibus routes pass by, but as they don't follow any timetable, you might have to wait a long time and even have to change buses on the way.

If you choose this option, maybe you are an adventurous person who likes different experiences like booking a day-long quad bike ride. What do you think?

Interesting details

  • Duration of the trip: more than an hour.
  • Price: between 1,50€ and 3€. You will need to have cash on you.
  • Advantages of using this method: you will be able to see the island from a different perspective on board a minibus.
  • How to book this transport: no reservation is required.
  • Recommended if... you are on a budget and want to feel like a local.

Book a quad bike tour in Sint Maarten

By taxi, the quickest and most expensive option

Taxi Stand in Central Marigot|©Richie Diesterheft
Taxi Stand in Central Marigot|©Richie Diesterheft

If you need a quick transfer between the airport and Sint Maarten, then a taxi is the best, but definitely the most expensive option. This option is ideal if you need to get to a work appointment or take a trip to Orient Beach and Maho Beach, if you want to make the most of your time.

Outside the air terminal you will see a number of taxis belonging to the Princess Juliana International Airport Taxi Drivers Association. This service is available 24/7 and offers immediate availability. Therefore, no matter when your flight arrives, you will always find a taxi for your transfer to any destination on the island.

You can also hire this type of transfer through a taxi booking platform prior to your trip. This way, the driver will be waiting for you at the airport.

Details of interest

  • Journeytime: from 30 minutes.
  • Price: from around €15 to €45 per car, depending on where you are going on the island. You should also take into consideration that from 00:00 to 6:00 the rates are increased by 50% and between 22:00 and 00:00 the rates are increased by 25%.
  • Advantages of using this method: taxis are available 24 hours a day, every day.
  • How to book this transport: this service does not usually require a reservation.
  • Recommended if... you want an immediate transfer in the shortest possible time to the door of your hotel or destination in the city.

Book a tour to Orient Beach and Maho Beach

Car hire, the most convenient way to travel at your own pace

Car near the beach|©Corey Seeman
Car near the beach|©Corey Seeman

If you like adventure and want to travel at your own pace, then hiring a car to get you from Princess Juliana International Airport to the city is a good idea. You'll be free to drive around and you can break along the way for lunch or to visit attractions such as Fort Amsterdam or book a pirate experience at Rusty Parrot.

At the airport you'll find several car rental companies:

You can go to their offices to arrange the rental process and receive the car keys or you can pre-book your car online. In this case, a person from the company will be waiting for you in the arrival hall of the airport and will accompany you to the place where the car or van will be delivered.

Interesting details

  • Duration of the trip: from 30 minutes.
  • Price: from €40 per day.
  • Advantages of using this method: you can travel at your own pace, stop along the way, visit other places on the island before heading to the hotel.
  • How to book this transport: through the rental company's website.
  • Recommended if... you are an adventurous person who wants to travel at your own pace.

Book a pirate experience at Rusty Parrot

Featured transfer services from Sint Maarten airport

  • Shared transfer
  • Duration: 60 minutes
  • Price: from €10
  • Availability: from 7:00 am to 9:00 pm
  • Booking: on the official website of the service
  • Transfer: by bus or minibus
  • Private transfer
  • Duration: from 30 minutes
  • Price: from 62€.
  • Availability: from 7:00 am to 9:00 pm
  • Booking: on the official website of the service
  • Transfer: by car
  • Public minibus
  • Duration: more than 60 min
  • Price: between 1,50€ and 3€.
  • Availability: from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm
  • No reservation
  • Transfer: by public minibus
  • Taxi
  • Duration: from 30 minutes
  • Price: from €15
  • Availability: 24/7
  • Reservation: optional
  • Transfer: by car
  • Rental car
  • Duration: from 30 minutes
  • Price: from 40€.
  • Availability: from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
  • Booking: on the official website of the service
  • Transfer: by car or van