BlaakLane.com arranges chauffeur service in St. Barts for arrivals at the island's small airport (SBH), ferry and yacht tender arrivals in Gustavia harbour, villa and hotel transfers, and evening cars for dinners. Most travellers reach the island via Princess Juliana International (SXM) on Sint Maarten. You see the fixed fare before confirming, and a vetted St. Barts affiliate drives, named with the chauffeur on the confirmation.
Getting to St. Barts: SXM first, then a short hop or a ferry
St. Barthelemy has no runway long enough for jets. Long-haul travellers fly into Princess Juliana International (SXM) on Sint Maarten and continue by one of three routes:
- A commuter flight to SBH, about 10 to 15 minutes in a small turboprop.
- A ferry to Gustavia, from Philipsburg or Marigot, roughly 45 to 75 minutes depending on the operator and the sea.
- A private charter, by small aircraft or boat.
We can book the SXM side too: a car from the SXM terminal to the ferry dock, or to a hotel if you overnight. See St. Maarten. Luggage limits on the small planes are tight, and heavy bags sometimes follow on a later flight, which is another reason to keep the island car flexible.
Remy de Haenen Airport (SBH), also called Gustaf III
The airport at St. Jean has one of the shortest commercial runways in the world, roughly 640 m, with a steep approach over a hill and a beach at the far end. Only light aircraft such as the Twin Otter and the Cessna Caravan operate, flown by pilots who hold a specific local certification. There is no runway lighting, so the airport works in daylight only and closes at dusk. The last flights of the day are therefore the ones most exposed to delays on the SXM side, and our chauffeurs track them. Background: Gustaf III Airport. Private flyers can read our St. Barts SBH private aviation page.
The terminal is small. Standard pickup is outside at the designated pickup area in front of the building, and the chauffeur messages you on arrival. A name-board greeting at the SBH door is an add-on where offered; add-ons are only available in selected locations. Arrivals from SXM count as international, with 60 minutes of included waiting from actual landing.
Arrivals by sea in Gustavia
Ferries tie up at the ferry terminal in Gustavia harbour, and cruise ships and superyachts anchor outside and send passengers ashore by tender to the town quays. The chauffeur waits at the designated pickup point by the ferry terminal or the quay you name. For yacht guests and crews, see cruise lines and ports.
How long are drives on St. Barts?
The island is about 25 square kilometres, so nothing is far, but the roads are slow.
| From SBH (St. Jean) to | Typical time |
|---|---|
| St. Jean hotels and Nikki Beach area | 2-5 min |
| Gustavia harbour | 5-10 min |
| Lorient | 5-10 min |
| Flamands and Anse des Cayes | 10-15 min |
| Grand Cul-de-Sac and Petit Cul-de-Sac | 10-15 min |
| Colombier villas | 15-20 min |
| Gouverneur and Saline hillside villas | 15-20 min |
| Toiny | 15-20 min |
Between Christmas and New Year, Gustavia's streets fill and parking disappears. Times can double; the fare does not change.
Island roads: why the car matters
The French island drives on the right, on narrow, steep roads with hairpin bends, few pavements and very little parking. Many villa driveways are steep concrete ramps. Compact and mid-size vehicles suit these roads best, and long vehicles do not fit many villa entrances, so the vehicle classes you can book here are the ones the engine shows for your address. A local chauffeur who knows which driveway belongs to which villa saves a lot of reversing at night.
Villas, hotels and beaches
Much of St. Barts is rented villas on the hillsides above Gustavia, Lurin, Gouverneur, Vitet, Pointe Milou and Colombier. The hotels include Eden Rock on St. Jean Bay, Cheval Blanc St-Barth Isle de France at Flamands, Le Sereno and Rosewood Le Guanahani at Grand Cul-de-Sac, Hotel Barriere Le Carl Gustaf above Gustavia and Hotel Christopher at Pointe Milou. Beaches such as Saline, Gouverneur and Shell Beach draw day visitors. For an evening of dinners in Gustavia and St. Jean, the hourly chauffeur service keeps the car close.
Vehicle choice
- Standard Sedan or Luxury Executive Sedan: couples with moderate luggage.
- Executive SUV: the most practical class for villa driveways and families.
- Standard Black SUV: groups travelling together from the airport or ferry, where the villa road allows.
Larger classes, limousines and coaches are rarely suited to the island. See the fleet and rates.
Events by month
- Late December: the New Year period, when Gustavia harbour fills with yachts and the island is at its busiest.
- March: the St. Barths Bucket regatta for superyachts.
- April: Les Voiles de Saint-Barth sailing regatta.
- Winter: Carnival in Gustavia before Lent.
Check the St. Barth tourism office for dates. Book cars for these weeks well ahead; see event transportation.
Entry and local notes
St. Barthelemy is a French overseas collectivity. Visitors show a passport or, for EU citizens, a national identity card; visa rules follow French policy for the territory, so check before travel. The currency is the euro. Traffic, parking and quiet hours are regulated locally, and the island is outside the Schengen area.
Timing arrivals with the last flights
Because SBH closes at dusk, a delayed transatlantic arrival at SXM can mean missing the last commuter flight. When that happens, travellers either take a late ferry, charter a boat, or stay a night on Sint Maarten. Tell us your SXM arrival as well as your SBH flight, and the booking can be adjusted to match whichever route you end up on. Changes made more than 72 hours ahead cost nothing under the cancellation terms below.
High-net-worth and family travel
Families with staff, security or several villas usually want one coordinator handling all airport, ferry and dinner movements. That is what our HNWI and family office service does, with plans confirmed in writing.
Caribbean links
Most itineraries pass through St. Maarten and its cruise port, Port St. Maarten. Other islands in our network include Antigua. Princess Juliana airport information is on the SXM airport site.
Cancellation
No charge more than 72 hours before pickup, 10 % at 72 hours or less, 50 % at 48 hours or less, and 100 % at 24 hours or less or for a no-show.
