Saint Martin Airport (SXM) is also known on the Dutch side as Sint Maarten Airport. If you’re planning on traveling from Sint Maarten Airport to Philipsburg the most popular and convenient option is to take a Saint Martin Airport taxi or a Saint Martin Airport transfer. These offer the only door-to-door service in complete privacy with ample space for your luggage. Rides typically take 20 to 30 minutes, depending on traffic, and can be taken from right outside the terminal.
Alternatively, you can choose to use one of the shared minibus services which are operated by different private companies. These rides take around 40 minutes, depending on how many passengers need to get dropped off along the way, and there is no formal timetable or way to book in advance. The most important thing to note is that these services aren’t suitable for anyone traveling with luggage unless it can be carried on your lap.
3 options to go from Saint Martin Airport to city center
Don't worry if you don't speak the local language, the airport taxi drivers know the island well and should understand the name of your hotel to get you where you need to go.
Minibuses are only suitable for people traveling with little to no luggage, otherwise, you will need to take a taxi or private transfer.
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How to get from Saint Martin Airport to city center by taxi
Catching a Saint Martin Airport taxi to Philipsburg is the quickest and easiest way to reach your destination, and the most common. Reaching the city of Philipsburg, the capital of the Dutch side of Sint Maarten, takes just 20 minutes in normal traffic.
The Airport Taxi Association is the official taxi provider for Sint Maarten Airport which means passengers can feel safe knowing they are using a regulated service. Taxis come in all colors and sizes, seating between 4 and 15 passengers. Taxis sometimes feature a ‘TAXI’ roof light and the company logo on the vehicle and they should always have an official price list.
*It’s not possible to travel from Sint Maarten Airport to the city center by ferry. Although there is a ferry terminal close to the airport, this is primarily used for crossing over to Anguilla.
How much is a taxi from St Maarten Airport to Philipsburg?
Taxis in Sint Maarten offer fixed rate fares to each destination, although the price can vary depending on the time of day, the number of passengers, and how much luggage you have. Typically, from Sint Maarten to Philipsburg the taxi fare comes to around €18.60 (ANG 36).
Where can I catch a taxi from?
The airport terminal is small and easy to navigate so you won’t have trouble finding the taxi rank which is located directly in front of the Arrivals Hall exit.
Convenience
Taxis are the most convenient way to travel, not just from the airport, but across the island. You can travel comfortably and avoid the heat without having to worry about space for your luggage or when the next bus might arrive.
At night, taxis may be harder to come by and prices can fluctuate which is why pre-booking a private transfer from Sint Maarten Airport to Philipsburg may be a more reliable option. Moreover, you’ll receive an upfront cost with no hidden extras that you can pay for in advance.
Useful Tips
Check with your driver before departing whether the payment can be made with cash or a card.
Tips can make up a large part of a taxi driver's wage in Sint Maarten so if you can afford to be generous, it is appreciated. As a rule of thumb, €0.50-€0.90 (ANG 90-180) is a good starting point.
On the Dutch side of the island, the guilder is the official currency, although US dollars are widely accepted.
How to get from Saint Martin Airport to city by bus
While there isn’t an official public transport system on the island, if you’re prepared to wing it a little, shared minibusses provide a cheap alternative for getting around. Minibusses are privately run and stick to a very loose schedule with no official route. Like taxis, they can be any color and they can usually seat between 8 and 12 people.
That being said, getting from Sint Maarten Airport to the city center should take around 40 minutes, but you should allow for longer in case there are lots of stopping-off points along the way.
How much does the minibus cost?
There isn’t a set ticket price for the bus as each company will have its own system, although you shouldn’t pay more than €2.80 (ANG 5.40) for the one-way trip.
Cost
€2.80
Trip Duration
40 Min.
The journey time can vary considerably depending on how many passengers need to be dropped off.
Convenience
Safety
Value for Money
There is no set schedule for these minibuses, but you will typically need to wait until the vehicle fills up.
Where can I take a minibus from?
Minibusses depart from the car park next to the airport terminal, each bus displays its final destination in the front window so you will need to catch one that says, ‘Phillipsburg’.
Convenience
Due to the limited luggage space and the lack of a set schedule or formal route, taking a minibus to Philipsburg might not be everyone’s cup of tea. While the bus is very cheap, arranging a private transfer in advance from Sint Maarten Airport to Philipsburg is a much more reliable option and is still reasonably affordable, especially if you’re traveling in a group.
Useful Tips
Make sure you have cash to pay the driver. Smaller notes and coins are best in case they don't have change.
There is no need to buy a bus ticket, simply tell the driver where you would like to get off and they will tell you the price.
Try to follow your route on Google Maps so you know when to get off.
Be prepared for the minibus to be hot and crowded.
Frequently asked questions
From St. Maarten Airport to the city of Philipsburg what is the price of a taxi?
The average price of an airport taxi to Philipsburg is €18.60 (ANG 36). This will be offered as a fixed fare price and should be agreed upon before departing.
How to transfer from Sint Maarten Airport to Philipsburg?
The main mode of transport from the airport to Philipsburg is to take an airport taxi or pre-booked private transfer. These offer a direct service in around 20 minutes. The only other option is to use a shared minivan service which are much more affordable but take twice as long and don’t run to a set schedule.
How far is Philipsburg St. Martin from the airport?
From the airport in Sint Maarten to Philipsburg the distance is 11 km which takes just 20 to 35 minutes to reach when traveling by car.
Catching a Saint Martin Airport taxi to Philipsburg is the quickest and easiest way to reach your destination, and the most common. Reaching the city of Philipsburg, the capital of the Dutch side of Sint Maarten, takes just 20 minutes in normal traffic.
The Airport Taxi Association is the official taxi provider for Sint Maarten Airport which means passengers can feel safe knowing they are using a regulated service. Taxis come in all colors and sizes, seating between 4 and 15 passengers. Taxis sometimes feature a ‘TAXI’ roof light and the company logo on the vehicle and they should always have an official price list.
*It’s not possible to travel from Sint Maarten Airport to the city center by ferry. Although there is a ferry terminal close to the airport, this is primarily used for crossing over to Anguilla.
How much is a taxi from St Maarten Airport to Philipsburg?
Taxis in Sint Maarten offer fixed rate fares to each destination, although the price can vary depending on the time of day, the number of passengers, and how much luggage you have. Typically, from Sint Maarten to Philipsburg the taxi fare comes to around €18.60 (ANG 36).
Where can I catch a taxi from?
The airport terminal is small and easy to navigate so you won’t have trouble finding the taxi rank which is located directly in front of the Arrivals Hall exit.
Convenience
Taxis are the most convenient way to travel, not just from the airport, but across the island. You can travel comfortably and avoid the heat without having to worry about space for your luggage or when the next bus might arrive.
At night, taxis may be harder to come by and prices can fluctuate which is why pre-booking a private transfer from Sint Maarten Airport to Philipsburg may be a more reliable option. Moreover, you’ll receive an upfront cost with no hidden extras that you can pay for in advance.
Useful Tips
Book a trusted, English-speaking driver to pick you up at the same price as a regular taxi
Learn moreWhile there isn’t an official public transport system on the island, if you’re prepared to wing it a little, shared minibusses provide a cheap alternative for getting around. Minibusses are privately run and stick to a very loose schedule with no official route. Like taxis, they can be any color and they can usually seat between 8 and 12 people.
That being said, getting from Sint Maarten Airport to the city center should take around 40 minutes, but you should allow for longer in case there are lots of stopping-off points along the way.
How much does the minibus cost?
There isn’t a set ticket price for the bus as each company will have its own system, although you shouldn’t pay more than €2.80 (ANG 5.40) for the one-way trip.
There is no set schedule for these minibuses, but you will typically need to wait until the vehicle fills up.
Where can I take a minibus from?
Minibusses depart from the car park next to the airport terminal, each bus displays its final destination in the front window so you will need to catch one that says, ‘Phillipsburg’.
Convenience
Due to the limited luggage space and the lack of a set schedule or formal route, taking a minibus to Philipsburg might not be everyone’s cup of tea. While the bus is very cheap, arranging a private transfer in advance from Sint Maarten Airport to Philipsburg is a much more reliable option and is still reasonably affordable, especially if you’re traveling in a group.
Useful Tips
Frequently asked questions
From St. Maarten Airport to the city of Philipsburg what is the price of a taxi?
The average price of an airport taxi to Philipsburg is €18.60 (ANG 36). This will be offered as a fixed fare price and should be agreed upon before departing.
How to transfer from Sint Maarten Airport to Philipsburg?
The main mode of transport from the airport to Philipsburg is to take an airport taxi or pre-booked private transfer. These offer a direct service in around 20 minutes. The only other option is to use a shared minivan service which are much more affordable but take twice as long and don’t run to a set schedule.
How far is Philipsburg St. Martin from the airport?
From the airport in Sint Maarten to Philipsburg the distance is 11 km which takes just 20 to 35 minutes to reach when traveling by car.
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