Air Caribes jet coming over Maho Beach to land in St. Maarten; credit TimoBreidenstein/Wiki Commons
St. Maarten/St. Martin Transportation
Most people fly to St. Maarten’s Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM), which accommodates direct flights from North America, South America, and Europe. It’s the airport famous for close landings by large jets over Maho Beach.
SXM Airport is a Caribbean hub with frequent flights from NYC JFK, Newark, Toronto, Montreal, Fort Lauderdale, Washington Dulles, Chicago O’Hare, Atlanta, Charlotte, Philadelphia, Paris, Jamaica, Panama City, Curacao, Santo Domingo, and Amsterdam airports. Many travelers stop there for connecting flights to Anguilla, St. Barths, St. Eustatius, Saba, St. Kitts, Nevis, Antigua, Tortola, and Guadeloupe.
United, American, Delta, Air France, Air Canada, Air Caraibes, Caribbean, Copa, JetBlue, Air France, KLM, WestJet, and Spirit Airlines are among those who fly to SXM Airport.
Some guests headed to St. Martin from nearby islands take small planes to Grand Case L’Esperance Airport. If you’re nervous about riding a small plane between SXM Airport and Grand Case L’Esperance Airport, then take a Taxi or Uber ride over to St. Martin.
Ground Transport
Taxis/Uber
Most guests then take Taxi or Uber rides from SXM Airport to their hotels, whether in St. Maarten or St. Martin.
Car Rentals
A valid driver’s license is sufficient to rent a car from SXM Airport. These car rental brands serve SXM Airport:
• Hertz
• Avis
• Budget
• Thrifty
• Europcar
• Maurice Car Rental
• Sixt
Driving on the roads around scenic St. Maarten or St. Martin is a worthy adventure best taken by jeep. Remember to keep your passport if traveling between St. Maarten and St. Martin.
Public Buses
Residents often take mini-bus rides around the island. Check with your hotel to confirm their routes before riding. Check with drivers about mini-bus schedules.
Major cruise ships docked in Philipsburg; (c) Soul Of America
Cruise Port
Port St. Maarten is a port of call for major cruise lines that operate in the Lesser Antilles region of the Caribbean. It can dock up to 6 ships at one time from cruise operators such as:
• Holland American
• Carnival
• Viking Cruises
• Royal Caribbean
• Norwegian
• Princess Cruises
• Celebrity Cruises
• Disney Cruises
Arriving cruise travelers are a mere 15 minutes from the Dutch side’s capital city of Philipsburg. Ground taxis, water taxis, and tour buses stand ready to whisk the less adventurous or less mobile away. It seems like 100 taxis await at the terminal for fares to anywhere on the island. Or you can walk to a nearby gift shop or cafe.
If smaller cruises around the island and inter-island are your desire, consider a taxi or Uber ride to Port de Galisbay in St. Martin for these cruise operators:
• Seadream Yacht
• La Compagnie du Ponant
• Crystal Cruises
Alternatively, Captain Hodge Wharf, Walter Williams Jetty, and Bobby’s Marina are three convenient water taxi stops on the Philipsburg waterfront. You can purchase inexpensive one-day tickets for unlimited rides.
Residents and tourists often travel by ferry from St. Martin to the islands of St. Barths and Antigua.