Route 1 : Marigot
Via Cole Bay
- PhilipsburgStart
- Bush Road (Cost-U-Less) $1night $2
- Cole Bay $1.50night $2.50
- Marigot $2night $3.50
Getting around on a budget
Buses in St. Maarten
Minibuses link the towns on both sides of the island, from morning to evening. Here are the routes, the fares and how it works.
- $1 to $2
- Dutch side, from Philipsburg
- €1 to €5
- French side, from Marigot
- Free
- under 4; half fare from 4 to 12 on the Dutch side
- 5:30am
- first departures from Marigot
Riding the bus in four steps
-
Spot the minibus
A “BUS” license plate and the destination behind the windshield.
-
Wave it down
Stand on the side of the road heading your way and raise your hand. It stops if there is room.
-
Pay as you enter
Exact change, in US dollars or euros, on both sides.
-
Ask to stop
There are no fixed stops: just tell the driver where to let you off.
Routes and fares
Fares are set by the authorities on each side of the island and posted in the buses. The fare shown is for one ride from the bus station.
Dutch sideClem Labega Square, Philipsburg
Route 2 : Mullet Bay
Via Simpson Bay
- PhilipsburgStart
- Bush Road (Cost-U-Less) $1night $2
- Cole Bay $1.50night $2.50
- Simpson Bay (drawbridge) $1.50night $2.50
- Mullet Bay $2night $3.50
Route 3 : St. Peters
- PhilipsburgStart
- Bush Road (Cost-U-Less) $1night $2
- L.B. Scott Road $1.50night $2.50
- St. Peters $1.50night $2.50
Route 4 : French Quarter
Via Dutch Quarter
- PhilipsburgStart
- Amsterdam Shopping Center $1night $2
- Dutch Quarter $1.50night $2.50
- French Quarter $2night $3.50
Route 5 : Middle Region
Via Sucker Garden and Belvedere
- PhilipsburgStart
- Defiance $1.50night $2
- Sucker Garden, Belvedere, Middle Region $1.50night $2.50
Route 6 : Pointe Blanche
- PhilipsburgStart
- Pointe Blanche $2night $3
Route 7 : Little Bay
Fort William Hill loop
- PhilipsburgStart
- Bush Road, Little Bay, Long Wall Road $1night $2
- The night fare applies from midnight to 4am.
- Free for children under 4 and for seniors over 65 with ID.
- Children 4 to 12: half fare.
- A large bag that takes up a seat costs an adult fare.
French sideGumbs Antoine Julien bus station, Marigot
Route 1 : North
Grand Case, Orient Bay, Oyster Pond
- MarigotStart
- Friar’s Bay €1
- Rambaud €1
- Grand Case (post office) €1.50
- Grand Case (Shanty Town) €2
- Grand Case airport €2
- Cul-de-Sac roundabout €2
- Mont Vernon €2.50
- Orient Bay €2.50
- French Quarter €3
- Oyster Pond €5
Colombier, Saint-Louis and Pic Paradis are also served: €2.
Route 2 : South
Sandy Ground, Nettle Bay, Terres Basses
- MarigotStart
- Fort Louis €1
- Boulevard de France €1
- Sandy Ground €1
- Nettle Bay €1.50
- Baie Rouge €2.25
- Terres Basses €3
Concordia loops
Three loops link the bus station to the high school, the library and the hospital. Single fare: €1.
Sample trips
- Philipsburg → MarigotRoute 1, no change.$2
- Philipsburg → Grand CaseRoute 1 to Marigot, then Line 1 north.$2 + €1.50
- Marigot → Orient BayLine 1 north, via Grand Case.€2.50
Good to know
- Have exact change $1 bills or euro coins, accepted on both sides.
- At night, take a taxi Minibuses get scarce after dinner. See our taxi guide.
- With suitcases, take a taxi A large bag that takes up a seat is charged as a passenger.
- The Simpson Bay drawbridge When it opens, traffic stops. See the schedule.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the bus in St. Maarten?
On the Dutch side, $1 to $2 during the day from Philipsburg, $2 to Marigot. On the French side, from €1 around Marigot to €5 to Oyster Pond.
Where do I catch the bus?
At the Marigot and Philipsburg bus stations, or anywhere along the main roads: raise your hand to stop the minibus.
Can I pay in US dollars?
Yes, on both sides. Fares are posted in dollars and guilders on the Dutch side and in euros on the French side, but buses on both sides accept US dollars and euros.
Do buses run at night?
Departures start at 5:30am in Marigot, but minibuses get scarce in the evening. On the Dutch side, a night fare applies from midnight to 4am. For late trips, plan a taxi.