How to get to St Barth is the first question almost everyone asks when planning a trip. Saint Barthélemy has no direct commercial flights, no large international runway, and only one tiny airport with daylight-only operations. The standard answer for almost every traveler: fly to St Martin first, then connect to St Barth by a short helicopter or small-plane flight, by ferry, or by private boat. This guide breaks down every option, with everything an American or international traveler needs to know.
Step 1: fly into Princess Juliana Airport (SXM) on St Martin
Almost every St Barth trip starts with a flight to Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM) on the Dutch side of St Martin / Sint Maarten. SXM is a major Caribbean hub with direct flights from many US, European, and Latin American cities. Once you land at SXM, you transfer (in a covered walkway or by short shuttle) to the smaller terminal that serves the inter-island operators flying to St Barth.
You do not pass through formal customs in St Martin if you connect within the airport zone. If your luggage is checked all the way through, it is reloaded onto your onward flight. If not, you pick it up and re-check it at the inter-island desk.
Step 2 (option A): helicopter from SXM to St Barth
Helicopter is the fastest, most comfortable, and most flexible way to get from St Martin to St Barth. The flight takes 10 to 12 minutes from lift-off to touchdown at Gustaf III Airport (SBH). Departures are flexible and not tied to a published schedule, which is useful if your inbound flight to SXM is delayed.
Multiple operators run helicopter shuttles between SXM and SBH. A private helicopter charter typically carries up to 4 to 5 passengers plus luggage (with weight limits). The aerial views during the crossing are extraordinary, and many guests cite the helicopter ride as a memorable part of the trip in itself.
The concierge arranges the helicopter slot, the SXM ground crew handover, and the SBH ground transfer to the villa or hotel as a single coordinated flow. See the dedicated helicopter transfer page for details. Ground transport on the island (driver waiting at SBH, transfer to villa) is handled in coordination with GoSBH, the local transport and concierge specialist.
Step 2 (option B): scheduled small plane from SXM to SBH
Several inter-island operators run scheduled flights between SXM and SBH on small planes (typically 8 to 10 seats). The flight is also around 12 minutes. Schedules are published, fares are lower than helicopter, and the experience of landing at Gustaf III Airport (SBH) on a small plane is one of the most memorable approaches in commercial aviation: aircraft drop steeply between hills and touch down on a single short runway that ends at the beach of St Jean.
The trade-off versus helicopter: less flexibility on timing, no privacy, and tighter luggage allowances. For groups with light luggage and flexible schedules, scheduled small plane is a reliable option.
Step 2 (option C): ferry from St Martin to Gustavia
Ferries operate between St Martin and Gustavia harbor in St Barth. The crossing is roughly 45 minutes on a fast catamaran ferry. Fares are significantly lower than air transfers, and ferries handle larger luggage more easily. The trade-off is sea conditions, which can make the crossing rough on certain days.
Ferry is the most economical option, and it works well in good weather. For guests with limited time or rough-sea sensitivity, helicopter or small plane is the better choice.
Private jet directly into Gustaf III Airport (SBH)
Private jets can land directly at SBH, bypassing SXM entirely, with these constraints: the runway is 650 meters (about 2,130 feet), the airport is daylight-only with no instrument approach, and only certain aircraft types are certified to operate there. Aircraft frequently used at SBH include the Pilatus PC-12, the King Air, and small turboprops. Most large business jets cannot land at SBH and instead land at SXM, where guests transfer to a helicopter or small plane.
Private jet slots at SBH are limited and need to be requested in advance, especially during peak season (Christmas, New Year, Carnival). The concierge coordinates the slot, ground handling, and transfer from the airport to the villa as part of the full arrival logistics.
Arriving in St Barth by yacht
Many guests arrive in St Barth on private yachts that anchor in Gustavia harbor or in nearby bays (Anse de Colombier is a popular anchorage). Customs and immigration are processed in Gustavia at the harbor master’s office. Yacht arrivals do not require any onward transfer, since the harbor is right in the center of Gustavia.
For yacht charter inquiries (day charters, multi-day cruises around the Caribbean), see the yacht charter page. For SBH ↔ SXM transfer options (helicopter, plane, ferry, private boat) you can also reference StBarthCharter, which specializes in inter-island crossings.
Flying to St Barth from the United States
From the US, the most efficient route is a non-stop flight to SXM, then helicopter or small plane to SBH. Direct US gateways to SXM include:
- New York JFK and Newark EWR (year-round, multiple daily)
- Miami MIA (year-round, multiple daily)
- Atlanta ATL (year-round, daily)
- Charlotte CLT (year-round)
- Boston BOS, Washington DCA, and other secondary hubs (seasonal)
For private jet travelers, common departure FBOs include Teterboro (TEB), Boca Raton (BCT), Westchester (HPN), and Fort Lauderdale Executive (FXE). Direct private jet flights to SBH require a compatible aircraft (see above) or a tech stop.
Flying to St Barth from Europe
From Europe, two common routings: one is via SXM (Air France operates direct flights from Paris CDG to SXM seasonally). The other is via Pointe-à-Pitre, Guadeloupe, with a connecting Air Antilles or Caribbean flight to SBH. Many European travelers prefer the SXM route with a helicopter onward.
Luggage and customs
Luggage limits on the inter-island leg are strict. Helicopters typically allow one standard suitcase plus a carry-on per passenger; weight limits apply. Excess luggage is arranged separately on a luggage transfer (often by ferry or a dedicated small plane).
St Barth is part of France, so customs and immigration are EU-Schengen. US passport holders enter without a visa for stays under 90 days. Currency is the Euro, but US dollars are widely accepted at restaurants, boutiques, and hotels, and Amex / Visa / Mastercard are accepted everywhere serving international guests.
What to expect on arrival day
A typical arrival day, coordinated end-to-end by your concierge:
- Land at SXM, clear US-departure customs (already done before boarding)
- Skycap meets you at the gate, handles luggage to the inter-island terminal
- Helicopter or small plane to SBH (12 minutes)
- Driver waiting at SBH with rental car ready or private transport to villa
- Villa is unlocked, lights on, refrigerator stocked from pre-arrival provisioning, fresh flowers if requested, and the staff is briefed on your preferences
From a US gateway like JFK, the entire door-to-door door is typically 8 to 10 hours: a 4-hour flight to SXM, an hour for ground handover, a 12-minute helicopter, and a short drive to the villa. The result is the same evening at the villa with everything in place.