Dutch side St Maarten has a public – private system of minivans running along five main routes. Departure times are irregular. Frequency is high during the day, and becomes scarcer the later it gets.
Though a variety of bus stops are available, buses can be asked to stop by raising your hand. It is advised to take some change (US Dollars or Caribbean Guilders) with you as bus drivers do not always have change for larger bills.
French side Saint Martin has a comparable system departing from the Marigot bus station, with buses stopping along the main road via Grand Case, (French) Cul de Sac, Orient Bay and French Quarter. The length of the route along this road varies. Please ask in advance if the bus stops at your desired destination.
Note that whereas bus overviews mention Clem Labega Bus Station as Philipsburg departure point, they mostly pause at Emmaplein, closer to the St Maarten Cruise Port and hence accessible for day visitors from cruise ships after stopping at said square.
The bus lines most relevant to visitors are:
This line connects the two island capitals of Philipsburg (Dutch side) and Marigot (French side). Its line leads from Philipsburg via Bush Road to Cole Bay, where it follows the northern side of the Simpson Bay Lagoon to the Marigot bus station. All buses on the French side depart from here. Noteworthy stops along this route are Carrefour, the Port de Plaisance hotel and marina and the border monument.
– Clem Labega Square Station (Philipsburg) to Marigot: US $2.00
– Clem Labega Square Station to Intersection Senna Drive & Bush Rd.: US $1.00
– Clem Labega Square Station to Cole Bay Substation (Intersection Welfare Rd., A.J.C. Brouwer Rd., & Union Rd.): US $1.50
This line starts at Emmaplein, Philipsburg, after which it continues via Bush Road, Cole Bay, Simpson Bay and Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM) to Maho. Though the official bus route is to Mullet Bay in between of Maho and Cupecoy, signs on the buses will say Maho. If you want to continue to Cupecoy, make sure the bus driver is aware.
Amongst others, this line connects Philipsburg and Great Bay Beach with the popular visitor areas of Kim Sha Beach, Simpson Bay Beach and Maho Beach. Also IGY Marina and the St Maarten Yacht Club are along this line.
– Clem Labega Square Station (Philipsburg) to Mullet Bay: US $2.00
– Central Station to Intersection Senna Drive & Bush Rd.: US $1.00
– Central Station to Cole Bay Substation (Intersection Welfare Rd., A.J.C. Brouwer Rd., & Union Rd.): US $1.50
– Central Station to Welfare Rd., Simpson Bay Bridge (Royal Palm): US $1.50
This bus line heads from Philipsburg to the Cul de Sac Valley via Bush road, ending in St. Peters. Along this route is the Emilio Wilson Park recreational area and the Rainforest Adventures Park.
– Clem Labega Square Station (Philipsburg) to St Peters: US $1.50
– Clem Labega Square Station to Intersection Senna Drive & Bush Rd.: US $1.00
– Clem Labega Square Station to L.B. Scott Road (J.L.J. Cooper Ball Park): US $1.50
This bus leaves Philipsburg into the hills to Dutch Quarter. After it traverses the border to French Quarter and allows to connect to the French side bus system from there.
– Clem Labega Square Station (Philipsburg) to French Quarter: US $2.00
– Clem Labega Square Station to Substation (A.Th.Illidge Rd., Bowling Alley / Amsterdam Shopping Centre): US $1.00
– Clem Labega Square Station to Dutch Quarter: US $1.50
The bus system provides for a short line serving the mostly residential areas northeast of Philipsburg.
– Clem Labega Square Station (Philipsburg) to Sucker Garden / Middle Region: US $1.50
– Clem Labega Square Station to Defiance: US $1.50
*Children aged from 0 to 3 years old or persons over 65 years, ride free of charge.
In Philipsburg, all bus routes end at Emmaplein; a ten minute walk from the Cruise port. Due to its route through the main streets, a bus can be entered close to most of its important locations on Great Bay Beach, Front Street and Back Street.
You can find Emmaplein at the end of Philipsburg to the right side.
All French Side buses depart from the center of Marigot, at the bus station next to the football stadium. Depending on the bus, they drive to Grand Case and Grand Case Airport (SFG), Orient Bay or French Quarter.
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