How to get to St Barts is a two step trip for most guests. There are no long haul jets into the island. You fly to a nearby hub, then take a short hop or a ferry into Gustavia.
The hub that works best depends on where you start. St Martin (SXM) is the most common stop. San Juan, Guadeloupe and Antigua are other options.
Once you know your route, browse our St Barts villa rentals and book the house early. The sections below cover flights, the airport, the ferry, New York routes and car hire.
How to Get to St Barts by Air
Flights to St Barts are short regional hops on small aircraft. The official tourism office lists Saint-Barthélemy Rémy-de-Haenen Airport as the island gateway, with Winair, St Barth Commuter and Tradewind Aviation among the carriers. Schedules change by season, so check the current schedule before you lock your villa dates.
Via St Martin (SXM)
Princess Juliana Airport on Sint Maarten is the busiest gateway. Winair lists a St Barth to St Maarten link on its network. St Barth Commuter also flies that corridor.
After you land at SXM, you clear the local connection and board a short flight into Saint-Jean. Allow time between the long haul arrival and the hop. Bags sometimes move on a separate transfer, and weather can delay the last flights of the day.
Via San Juan, Guadeloupe and Antigua
Tradewind Aviation runs scheduled service from San Juan and Antigua, per the tourism office and the airline. Guadeloupe (PTP) is another hub, with regional links listed by the tourism office. Charters also run from nearby islands when you need a private schedule.
Flying to St Barts this way can cut one sea transfer. It still means a small plane and a short runway landing. Match your arrival to daylight hours whenever you can.
Private charters are also listed by the tourism office for flexible timings. Families and small groups sometimes prefer that option when scheduled seats are hard to find. Ask the charter operator about baggage rules before you pack.
Arrive to a private villa
Browse St Barts villas and plan your transfer with our team.
St Barts Airport: The Short Runway
The terminal sits in Saint-Jean bay, between a hill and the beach. The tourism office gives the runway as 650 m by 18 m, which is why only small aircraft land here. The approach is steep, and the landing is part of the trip for many guests.
The airport opens from 7:00 in the morning daily. It closes 15 minutes after sunset, which falls between about 6:00 and 7:00 in the evening by season. Miss that window and you wait until the next day.
A ferry into Gustavia is the usual backup when the last flights are done. The terminal has rental desks on the ground floor, plus shops and a snack bar. Villa Océane sits above Saint-Jean, a short transfer from the runway for beach minded families.
Ferry from St Martin to St Barts
The sea route is the other main way in. Ferries run between Sint Maarten or Saint Martin and the port of Gustavia several times a day. The tourism office puts the crossing at typically under an hour. Company staff often meet passengers at Juliana Airport and guide them to the marina.
Great Bay Express and Voyager are among the operators listed on the tourism site. Timetables shift, so check the current schedule and bag limits when you book. Sea conditions can cancel or delay sails, especially in rough weather.
Landing in Gustavia puts you in the harbor capital. Villa Hamnen is a 1 bedroom town house steps from the shops and restaurants, which suits couples arriving by boat.
St Barts from NYC
Coming from New York means a mainland flight to a Caribbean hub, then the short hop or ferry. There is no nonstop jet from New York into Saint-Jean. The usual path is New York to Princess Juliana (SXM), then a regional flight or a ferry to the island.
JetBlue publishes New York (JFK) to St Maarten (SXM) service on its own site. The tourism office also lists American, Delta, United and other carriers among the airlines that serve SXM. Frequencies change by season, so check the current schedule when you plan.
Book the New York leg and the island connection as a pair. A tight connection can leave you overnight on St Martin if the hop is full or delayed. Holiday weeks fill first, so lock both seats early if you are traveling around Christmas.
If you transit through Sint Maarten, even for a connection, the Dutch side asks travelers to complete an official entry form before arrival. Requirements change, so follow the current instructions from the Sint Maarten authorities. For date ideas, see Best Time to Visit St Barts and New Year’s Eve in St Barts.
Transfers, Taxis and St Barts Car Hire
Most villas sit on hills above the beaches, so a car helps once you arrive. Rental desks line the ground floor of the airport, and more offices sit in Gustavia. Some desks also rent open sided vehicles such as mokes, which suit short beach runs in good weather.
Taxis wait at the airport and at the ferry dock. They work well for the first transfer if your villa team meets you later. Driving is on the right, roads are narrow and steep, and parking in Gustavia can be tight in high season.
Reserve the car when you book the villa if you travel in peak weeks. Automatic cars and open sided mokes both run out first then. Ask the rental desk which licenses it accepts before you reserve.
You do not need a car every day if you stay near town or the beach. Villa Archipel in Flamands puts a large group near the sand, which cuts daily driving.
Large groups often need two cars, or a van if the desk has one. Villa Solhem in Lurin has 9 bedrooms, so plan the airport pickup before everyone lands. For neighborhood ideas before you book, see Where to Stay in St Barts.
Our team can talk through pickup options when you inquire. Compare houses on our villas in St Barts page once your route is set.
Plan your St Barts stay
Tell us your dates and group size, and our team will match you with the right villa.
Getting There FAQ
Do I need a passport to visit St Barts?
Yes. The tourism office says every traveler needs a valid passport. US and Canadian citizens can visit without a visa for stays of 90 days or less, with a return or onward ticket. Passport rules and visa needs change, so confirm before you fly.
Is there a direct flight from the US to St Barts?
No long haul jet lands on the island. You connect through St Martin, San Juan or another nearby hub, then take a short regional flight or a ferry. That two step route is the standard path for US guests.
How long is the ferry from St Martin?
The tourism office describes the crossing as typically under an hour. Exact times depend on the boat and the sea. Check the current schedule with the ferry company, and keep a buffer if you have a same day flight out.
Do I need a car in St Barts?
Most guests rent one, because villas and beaches sit apart on winding roads. A taxi is enough for a short stay in Gustavia or Saint-Jean. Ask our team what works for your villa when you book.
What if my flight arrives after dark?
The airport closes 15 minutes after sunset. Late arrivals usually overnight on St Martin or take a ferry into Gustavia when boats still run. Plan the last leg in daylight when you can.