Before the new airport was built, only a few planes took the risk of landing in St. Barth. Why would they? Simply because they had to land in the large savannah just off St Jean beach. This airport was wedged between sea and mountains. All that stood in the way of a departure lounge was a palm tree!
All this has evolved, and today St-Barthélemy has a real airport, called Remy de Haenen, with all modern comforts: air-conditioned lounge, shopping and snack bar. But if you don’t particularly like flying, it’s best to arrive by sea.
There are several ways to get to Saint-Barthélemy (St-Barts) from France, depending on your budget, preferences and departure location in France. Here are some of the most common options:
- By plane :
- Direct flights: you can fly direct from several French, American and Canadian cities.
- By boat :
- Ferry: if you prefer to travel by sea, many cruise companies offer itineraries that include Saint-Barthélemy. You can embark from French ports such as Marseille or Pointe-à-Pitre in Guadeloupe to reach the island by boat.
- From Saint-Martin :
- Fly to Saint-Martin: you can fly from France to Saint-Martin’s Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM).
- Take a ferry: once in Saint-Martin, you can take a ferry to Saint-Barthélemy. There are several ferry companies offering this service, including Voyager, Great Bay Express and the public ferries.
- By private yacht :
- If you have access to a yacht or boat, you can sail to Saint-Barthélemy. Make sure you comply with customs and mooring formalities when you arrive.
- By private jet :
- You can also charter a private jet to fly directly to Gustaf III airport in Saint-Barthélemy.
Before traveling, be sure to check current visa, health and safety regulations, especially given the ever-changing global situation. It is advisable to consult local authorities and transport companies for up-to-date information on travel to Saint-Barthélemy from France.
To fly to Saint-Barthélemy (St. Barth) from France, here are the general steps to follow:
To get to Saint-Barthélemy, you can fly from several airports in France.
The main French airports with flights to Saint-Barthélemy are Paris (Aéroport Charles de Gaulle and Aéroport d’Orly), Lyon (Aéroport de Lyon-Saint Exupéry), Marseille (Aéroport de Marseille-Provence), Nice (Aéroport Nice Côte d’Azur), and Bordeaux (Aéroport de Bordeaux-Mérignac). Several airlines operate flights to Saint-Barthélemy, including Air France, Air Caraïbes, Air France, Alitalia and KLM.
The main airports offering flights to St. Barths from North America are Atlanta, Chicago, Boston, Charlotte, Miami, New York, Philadelphia and Washington. Airlines include American Airlines, Delta Airlines, Jetblue Airways, Southwest Airlines, United Airlines and Spirit Airlines.
From Canada, 2 cities offer flights to ST-Barth: Toronto or Montreal. The airlines operating these flights are Air Canada and Westjet.
Don’t forget to check visa requirements according to your nationality, although many French visitors don’t need a visa for a tourist stay in Saint-Barthélemy.
Your flight should land at one of the nearest international airports, notably St-Martin (SXM), on the Dutch side of the island. But you can also fly to Puerto Rico (SJU) or Guadeloupe to Pointe à Pitre (PTP). You can then fly to St. Barth’s airport, Gustaf III, or take a ferry.
Be sure to check flight schedules, health and safety requirements, and any changes in regulations related to international travel due to the ever-changing global situation. It is advisable to consult the authorities and airlines for up-to-date information before your trip.
How do I get to Saint-Barth by private jet?
It’s not always pleasant to fly in a plane packed with over 200 people, is it? Well, there are plenty of small airports in Europe, the United States, Latin America and the West Indies that can get your private jet off the ground.
With a private, non-stop flight, you can easily land at Saint-Martin’s Princess Juliana airport (SXM). This is the closest airport to the island of St. Barth (SBH). We can’t stress this enough: St. Barth’s runway is only 661 meters long, and the largest aircraft that can land there is a 19-seater Twin Otter.
Please note the opening hours of St. Barth’s airport, which are only from 8am to 6pm (check with the seasons). It’s best to plan to arrive in Saint-Martin (SXM) no later than 4.30pm, as planes can only land in St. Barths before nightfall.
If you like to travel in the peace and privacy of a private flight, you’ll love this exclusive and discreet mode of travel, which offers a number of advantages:
- Take advantage of a VIP service that eliminates waiting times during transfers, as a customs agent will be at your disposal, your baggage will be taken care of and a private driver will take you to your next flight.
- A private flight adapts to your schedule while avoiding the chech-in line. This is always a painful part of the journey, especially when you’re in a hurry to get to your destination. With a private flight, you arrive just a few minutes before the plane’s departure and simply take your seat on board.
- You fly with the people of your choice: your friends or family, offering a level of confidentiality appreciated by high-end customers.
How do I get to Saint-Barthélemy by ferry?
The island of Saint-Martin, which has a port with ferry connections to Saint-Barthélemy. If you prefer to avoid landing in St. Barth on a small plane, the ferry is an excellent solution.
Several ferry companies offer crossings between Saint-Martin and Saint-Barthélemy. The most popular are Voyager, Great Bay Express and public ferries. Tickets can be booked online in advance, or purchased at the port.
The ferry journey from Saint-Martin to Saint-Barthélemy generally takes between 45 minutes and 1 hour, depending on the ferry company you choose.
The ferry crosses from Marigot on the French side of St. Martin, and two other ferries leave on the Dutch side from Pilipsburg and Simpson Bay. There are 45 crossings in all during the week, and fares are a little more modest than by air. The advantage is that you can take much more luggage – surfboards, bulky items – by boat than by plane.
The 3 ferry companies, each taking a different route, are :
- Voyager 3 Dreamliner: in Marigot, arriving in Gustavia
- Great Bay Ferry: Pilipbsburgh terminal, arrival at Gustavia terminal
- The Egde: Simpson Bay terminal and arrival at Gustavia terminal
Coming to St. Barths by private boat
If you own a yacht or sailboat, you can anchor in St. Barths. Alternatively, Master Ski Pilou can organize your transfer from Juliana airport by private boat, with VIP service (available 24/7).
What you need to know before booking a flight to St. Barths
The flight from Saint-Martin takes just 10 minutes, but for many, landing on a tiny airstrip between two volcanic hills and braking just a few meters from beachgoers can quickly become a frightening experience.
A quick reminder: the makeshift airstrip at Saint-Jean airport in Saint-Barthélemy is just 651 meters long and can only accommodate short take-off and landing aircraft with a maximum capacity of 19 seats.
Even for these small aircraft, landing on Saint-Barthélemy has often been compared (not favorably) to landing on an aircraft carrier. The pilot has to swoop between two mountains (one of which is adorned with a gigantic white Swedish cross), then right himself abruptly: no extra charge for the thrills! (In fact, any pilot planning to land on Saint-Barthélemy must first obtain a special permit). And, no landings or departures are permitted after dark.
