Getting to St Barts: Flights via St Maarten and Ferries

St Barts is not hard to reach, but it is rarely a single flight. The island’s airport can take only small aircraft, so most travelers connect through a larger hub nearby. Planning the connection carefully, including luggage and daylight hours, makes the arrival far smoother. Getting to St Barts almost always involves a connection.

Getting to St Barts via St Maarten

Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM), on the Dutch side of St Martin, is the main gateway. The island’s tourism office describes it as served by numerous airlines with direct flights from North America, Europe and elsewhere in the Caribbean. From there, you continue to St Barts by air or by sea.

Other connections exist: the tourism office lists flights from Guadeloupe and service from San Juan and Antigua. Check which option works best for your origin and dates.

Flying to St Barts

St Barts’ Gustaf III Airport (SBH) has a very short runway and a famous approach over a hilltop. It accepts only small propeller aircraft, and pilots need special certification to land there. Flights from St Maarten take only a few minutes in the air. Scheduled service is operated by regional airlines, and private charters and helicopters are also available.

Things to know:

• Daylight only: the airport operates in daylight hours, so late international arrivals may need an overnight stop in St Maarten.
• Luggage: small aircraft have strict weight and size limits. Check your allowance, and be prepared for bags to follow on a later flight when planes are full.
• Connections: leave generous time between your international arrival and the island flight, particularly if you are on separate tickets.

Airlines, flight times and luggage limits

Two scheduled airlines link St Maarten with the island: Winair, whose flights the tourism office describes as ten-minute shuttles, and St Barth Commuter, flying Cessna Grand Caravans from Princess Juliana (SXM) and the French-side Grand Case airport (SFG) in 15 minutes. St Barth Commuter’s allowance, as published in September 2026, is 23 kilograms checked and 12 in the cabin, and it asks for 1 hour 15 minutes between an international arrival at SXM and the onward flight. Winair’s general policy allows a 23-kilogram checked bag; confirm whether it applies to St Barts. Tradewind Aviation flies scheduled Pilatus PC-12s from San Juan (about 55 minutes) and Antigua (about 35 minutes). The airport operates from 8 am to 6 pm, so a late arrival at SXM means a night there or the ferry.

Taking the ferry

Ferries connect St Martin with Gustavia’s harbor. The tourism office lists several operators departing from different ports on St Martin, with crossings of around 45 minutes to an hour. The ferry is often simpler with more luggage and is a useful backup when flights are full, but the crossing can be rough in strong trade winds. Check the departure port, which may be some distance from SXM airport, and the latest schedule before booking.

Which ferry port to use

The choice of ferry is really a choice of departure port. Voyager sails from Marigot on the French side, about 15 minutes by road from SXM, with free parking, a crossing the tourism office lists at one hour, check-in from an hour before departure and at least two suitcases per person. Great Bay Express leaves from Bobby’s Marina in Philipsburg on the Dutch side, listed at 45 minutes, and the Edge sails from Simpson Bay on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 9 am, per the tourism office in September 2026. All arrive at the single terminal in central Gustavia. Holiday-week sailings fill early, so check the best time to visit St Barts before fixing dates, and where to stay in St Barts for each base’s distance from the harbour.

Arriving and getting around

Most visitors rent a car, as taxis are limited and the island’s hilly roads make walking between areas impractical. Driving is on the right. Arrange the rental in advance for high season, and ask your accommodation where to collect the car and where to park. Many villas can coordinate car delivery at the airport or harbor.

Entry requirements

St Barts is French, but entry rules for French overseas territories can differ from those for mainland France and from those for St Maarten. Check the requirements for your nationality for every territory you pass through, including the Dutch side of St Martin. The tourism office’s customs page asks US and Canadian visitors for a passport and a return or onward ticket, and the US State Department’s advisory of 20 August 2026 states no visa is needed for stays under three months. The French government’s rule for Saint-Barthélemy, on Service-Public.fr, is a passport issued within the last ten years, valid for at least three months after your planned departure and with two blank pages; if you connect through St Maarten, Sint Maarten’s own entry rules apply there.

Practical tips

• Travel light, or use soft bags that fit small aircraft holds.
• Keep medication and essentials in your hand luggage.
• For holiday periods, book island flights and ferries early.
• If you are arriving late, book a hotel near SXM for the night.

Getting to St Barts is easier when connections and luggage limits are planned in advance. For an overview of the island, read what St Barts is.