SXM Airport to Philipsburg

Getting there

Philipsburg is the Dutch-side capital, at the other end of the Dutch side from the airport. The drive is about 25 minutes, and it is the route on this list where the Simpson Bay bridge most often decides the answer.

The bridge opens on a published schedule to let boats through, and while it is up the road does not divert. Fifteen to twenty minutes is the usual cost. We plan the pickup around the openings rather than discovering them, which is the single most useful thing a local driver does on this journey.

How this trip is priced

Transfers are quoted per trip, based on the official St. Maarten taxi zone rates, which depend on how many of you there are. The full official table is on the taxi rates page. Send your flight number, the date, the pickup and drop-off, the number of guests and the number of suitcases, and the quote comes back after that. Payment is in cash, in US dollars only.

The size of your group

Twenty-five minutes is an easy ride, and it is the one on this list that most often meets the bridge. If there are many of you, say so when you book: the van takes up to eleven passengers, and up to six when you are travelling with full luggage.

What is in Philipsburg

Two long streets and a beach. Front Street is the duty-free shopping, the boardwalk runs along Great Bay beach one street down, and the cruise terminal is at the eastern end.

Whether it is pleasant depends almost entirely on how many ships are in. With three or four, Front Street is packed from mid-morning to mid-afternoon; with one or none it is quiet and you can walk down the middle of the street. We will know which it is on the day you arrive. The Philipsburg guide has the longer version.

Child seats and luggage

Child seats are available, and you request them when you book. Luggage depends on the seating: with every seat in place the van takes carry-on and light luggage only. For full luggage we take up to six guests, with the back row removed to make room for 10 to 15 large suitcases, so give us the number of guests and the number of suitcases when you book and the van is set up in advance. Seven to eleven guests with full luggage does not fit one van, and is quoted on request.

Booking this transfer

Each transfer is quoted per trip and agreed before you book. Send your flight number, the number of guests, the number of suitcases and the name of your hotel through the booking form, or on WhatsApp, and we will come back with the quote.

For the other airport routes, see airport transfers.