GETTING AROUND

[andynap]

GETTING AROUND
Trying the different beaches and restaurants are part of the St Barths experience, so wherever you stay on the island you will need a car even though St Barths is quite small. From anywhere on the island, you can get to any other part in less than 20 minute drive. Any valid driver's license will do, and for those used to smooth, wide and level roads, the business of driving on St. Barths can be an adventure in itself.


Car Rentals
To fully explore the island, renting a vehicle is recommended as are advance reservations, especially in the winter months. A valid driver's license is required. The most popular vehicles in St. Barth are the Suzuki Samurais and other 4WD vehicles, which make sense considering the challenging topography. Small Japanese sedans and minivans are also available. The island is crisscrossed with about 25 miles of steep, narrow and winding roads, so careful driving is advised. The speed limit is 45 km/h (28 mph).

Most major car rental companies as well as a number of local companies operate from the airport in St. Barth. A few hotels have their own fleet of rental cars.

Gas is extra, and as in all islands, it?s quite expensive. There are two gas stations on the island. The one near the airport is open Monday through Saturday from 7:30 to noon and from 14:00 to 17:00. The station in Lorient is open from 7:30 to 17:00 except for Thursday afternoons and Sundays.

Several of the car rental agencies give a discount to SBHonline members.
EuropCar, Turbe, Maurice.
Fill out the reservation request forms on SBHonline and they will apply the discount.

A full ist of St Barts Car Rental Agencies are on SBHonline at
https://www.sbhonline.com/St-Barts-Car-Rentals/


Budget - A variety of new models.
Car Rental Star Location - Welcome as soon as you arrive, at the airport or at the harbor.
Cool Rental - New car rental company with brand new cars and personalized services.
Cara?be Welcome - Suzuki, MEGA, Twingo, etc..
Europcar - Mokes, Suzukis, etc. delivered to your door.
Island Car Rental - At the airport, and in St. Jean.
Maurice Car Rental - Formerly Thrifty Car Rental.
Pure Rental - Only Mini Cooper convertible exclusive rental.
Soleil Cara?be - At the airport . Exclusive zero deductible insurance.
Turbe Car Rental - Wide range of vehicles, for your vacation or business trip.
Gumbs- at the airport- Odile is the best.
Advantage - at the airport
Hertz- Henrys at the airport
Avis - at the airport
Sun Destinations - Car rental reservations, works with several car rental agencies
JC Taxi - Island tours and day and night taxi service.

Here is a neat little tool to compare various car rental prices on the island
http://stbarts.rentalcarshopper.com/




Taxi Service
Taxis meet all flights and are not very expensive, mostly because destinations aren't far from one another. Dial tel. 590/27-75-81 for taxi service. A typical rate, from the airport to Cul-de-Sac, is 22 Euros. Night fares between 8pm and 6am are 50% higher. Taxi service must be arranged between midnight and 6am -- call ahead

Flat taxi rates are in effect for trips up to five minutes long. The fare increases for each additional three minute increment. Fares are higher Sundays, holidays and evenings. Ask the driver. There are two taxi stations on the island, one at the airport, and one in Gustavia on Rue de la R?publique. There is no public bus service in St. Barth.




Motorbikes/Scooters
Motorbikes and scooters are popular with the locals but are recommended only for the most experienced riders. They can be hazardous with all of the other visitors driving around in cars who are unfamiliar with the terrain. French law requires that you wear a helmet and a motorbike or driver's license is required.

 

[tim]

Re: Newbie Info Du Jour/Getting Around

Mon ami,

This "newbie" learned something new today. I never knew there were standard fares for St. Barth taxis. I've always just asked how much I owed when the ride was completed. Thank you.

 

[Eddie]

Re: Newbie Info Du Jour/Getting Around

Thanks, Andy. Good info. There were a few rental agencies I had never seen before. My routine, for off season rental, is to email all of them, asking for their best price. It's always a lot less than they list on their websites.

 

[jdr]

Re: Newbie Info Du Jour/Getting Around

Wasn't there an island-wide shuttle/van service running last year or the year before? I recall seeing some gray vans.

 

[andynap]

Re: Newbie Info Du Jour/Getting Around

Wasn't there an island-wide shuttle/van service running last year or the year before? I recall seeing some gray vans.

As of now they are not running. It seems the taxi drivers got "upset".

 

[jima1742]

Re: Newbie Info Du Jour/Getting Around

One other point to consider -- Budget for one, and possibly others, allow you to reserve and then pay in $US, compared to some of the on-island companies who charge in Euros. Today that can make a BIG difference........

 

[andynap]

Re: Newbie Info Du Jour/Getting Around

One other point to consider -- Budget for one, and possibly others, allow you to reserve and then pay in $US, compared to some of the on-island companies who charge in Euros. Today that can make a BIG difference........

Hertz too.

 

[GayleR]

Re: Newbie Info Du Jour/Getting Around

Avis too. We book online and then when we arrive we ask for a discount and we pay in US dollars.

 

[Earl]

Re: Newbie Info Du Jour/Getting Around

Interesting story: For Nov (2008) I reserved through Hertz (USA) for $240/week which is rented through their agent on SBH-Henry's. I contacted Henry's on SBH direct, via email, and their cost was 240 Euro's/week. I asked about the discrepancy and they said that if you go through Hertz USA is was in $...if you contact them direct it is Euro's.