St Barts Airport Information

The Best Way to Get to St Barts - Direct Flights and Charters

St Barts' Gustaf III Airport (SBH) is one of the most unique airfields in the Caribbean. 

It’s also known as St Barts Airport, Saint Barthélemy Airport, Remy de Haenens Airport and St. Jean Airport. It opened in 1984 and has one of the shortest runways in the world, at just over 2,100 feet. Because of this, only small prop planes are able to land at St Barts Airport, the runway is too short for even the smallest jet engined plane to land.

The airport, which ends at the edge of St Jean beach, is a major talking point among first-time travelers to the island. However, despite the "thrill" of the short landing, St Barts' Gustaf III Airport has an excellent safety record.

Most vacationers choose to fly to St Barts, however you’ll find that it takes a bit of research to figure out the best way to fly to St Barts. What's the best and quickest way to get to St Barts? Are there direct flights from the US and Europe? These are some of the most common questions we hear our clients asking when we start helping them plan their vacations.

This page has all the flight information you need to plan your trip to St Barts, whether you plan to arrive by air or sea. WIMCO is a full-service travel company, so if you are looking for the advice on the best way to get to St Barts, contact the WIMCO Air Department. They can book commercial or charter flights or private boat charters.

St Barts’ Gustaf III Airport Essential Information

Official Name: Gustaf III Airport

Airport code (IATA code): SBH

Operating hours: daily between 7am to 15 minutes after sunset. (generally 6pm to 8pm depending on the time of year)

Airlines servicing Gustaf III Airport:

• Tradewind Aviation, Telephone: International: +1 203-267-3305, US: 800- 376- 7922 , https://www.flytradewind.com/ 
• WinAir, Telephone: International: +1 721-545-4237, St Barts: +590 590 27 61 01, https://www.fly-winair.sx/ 
• St Barth Commuter, Telephone: +590 590 27 54 54, www.stbarthcommuter.com
• Air Antilles, Telephone: +590 590 51 35 92; https://www.airantilles.com/ 
• Air Caraïbes, Telephone: 0 820 835 835  61; https://aircaraibes.com/ 
• Trans Anguilla Airways, Telephone: +1 (914) 214 5515  https://transanguilla.com/ 

Most people arrive via WinAir if coming from Sint Maarten or via Tradewind if coming from San Juan.

Private charter flights to St Barts are also available from all neighboring islands via a PILATUS C-12 NG (single engine, six-passenger plane), a Caravan plane or on five-passenger helicopters. 

If you have your own small plane and pilot, please note that all pilots flying into St Barts need a special, short takeoff and landing certification.

Ready to reserve your flights to St Barts? Contact WIMCO’s Air Department.

Options to Get to St Barts

• Via direct commercial flights from the US to St Barts
• Via direct commercial flights from nearby Caribbean islands
• Via private charter flights to St Barths
• Via helicopters, from St Martin and Anguilla to St Barts airport
• Via ferry or private yacht

St Barths from Laura Habecker.

Arrivals

Direct flights from the US to St Barts

OK, this is going to be a “good news, bad news” situation. First the bad news: there are no direct flights to St Barts from cities in the continental US, or from any cities in Europe. St Barts’ uniquely short runway at Gustav III Airport (SBH) can only accommodate STOL (short takeoff and landing) prop planes seating 18 people or less.

Now the good news: you can fly to a nearby island in a large jet on a standard commercial flight, then come over to St Barts in a smaller plane. Tres intime as the french would say. How is that good news? - you may be asking

The benefit of flying in one of these smaller planes is that you will fly at a lower altitude, and have a better view of the surrounding islands as you approach St Barts.

You’ll see hidden coral reefs, uninhabited islands with private beaches, and sailboats braving the open ocean. As you approach St Barts you’ll be low enough to pick out individual villas, fly over mega yachts, and have a birds-eye view of Gustavia and its picturesque harbor. 

Just after you fly over Gustavia you’ll fly low over a hilltop traffic roundabout then drop onto the runway, with the aqua-colored waters of St Jean Bay just beyond. It’s quite a thrilling way to arrive.

There are several Caribbean islands you can fly into that offer direct commercial flights to St Barts:

Departures

Direct flights from the US to Puerto Rico, San Juan area

What airport do you fly into to get to St Barts?

For people living in the US and Central America, San Juan is a popular gateway airport to St Barts. The Juan Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport or Isla Verde International Airport (IATA: SJU) is a clean modern international airport with a variety of comfortable boarding lounges, gift shops, bars and restaurants for travelers waiting to board flights to St Barts.

WIMCO's Travelers tip: Consider flying into San Juan in the afternoon and overnighting there before flying to St Barts in the morning. Historic Old San Juan town is a living museum, a glimpse into the island’s past as part of the Spanish empire. Walk its ancient stone streets, stop into a shaded café for Sangria, walk the walls at sunset, you’ll be thrilled you did. Nearby Isla Verde beach is home to several five star resort hotels, and is also convenient to the airport.

Most visitors fly to the island from St Maarten, but there are also non-stop flights to St Barts from San Juan, Puerto Rico;  Pointe-a-Pitre, Guadeloupe; Antigua; and St Thomas, USVI. Approximately 140,000 passengers arrive by air in St Barts each year.

Sint Maarten, Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM)

Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM) on the nearby island of St Maarten is the closest major airport to St Barts. It's approximately 16 miles away, as the crow flies. From there, it's just a 15-minute flight over to St Barts.

Travelers from North America can reach St Maarten via non-stop flights from Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Ft Lauderdale, Miami, New York City, Orlando, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C.. There are also seasonal flights from Boston and Newark.

Travelers from Europe can reach St Maarten via non-stop flights from Amsterdam and Paris. 

Direct flights from the US to St Martin/Sint Maarten

For people living in the US and France, Princess Juliana Airport in St Martin is a popular gateway airport to St Barts. The Princess Juliana Airport (IATA: SXM) is a clean, modern international airport with a variety of comfortable boarding lounges, gift shops, bars and restaurants for travelers waiting to board flights to St Barts

WIMCO's Travelers tip: Consider flying into St Barts in the afternoon, spend the night, then fly into St Barts in the morning. Two uniquely St Martin places to visit are restaurant row in Grand Case, and the beach bar scene on Orient Beach – you’ll want to set-aside a day for each one.

Puerto Rico, San Juan, Juan Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport or Isla Verde International Airport (IATA: SJU)

The airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico is second most popular airport to fly into for connecting flights to St Barts. 

For most residents of the US, there are more airlines and flights servicing San Juan, which means more options on more days. Including Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Tampa, Jacksonville, West Palm Beach, Orlando, Charlotte, Philadelphia, Hartford, Washington D.C., Baltimore, Newark, New York (JFK), Boston, Chicago (ORD), Houston, Dallas, Atlanta, Detroit, Minneapolis, Cincinnati, Raleigh-Durham, and Pittsburgh.

Europe, Latin America and Canada

There are weekly direct flights from Montreal, Toronto, Frankfurt, Madrid, Bogotá, Panamá City, and San José.

European visitors can also fly non-stop from Paris to Pointe-a-Pitre, Guadeloupe and connect to St Barts.

Tradewind Aviation offers daily flights from San Juan to St Barts on its fleet of Pilatus-12 prop planes. Flying to San Juan airport and connecting to St Barts is also the best option for most residents of countries in South America.

Do I need a passport or visa to fly into St Barts airport?

Visitors to St Barts from the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Japan, Australia, Mexico and European Union countries and most other developed countries are required to have a valid passport (with at least 6 months validity) to enter the country for 90 days or less as well as proof of onward transportation. 

Citizens of a few countries are required to get a visa from a French embassy or consulate to visit the French Overseas Territories stamped in their passport prior to arrival on the island. Check here if you are not sure. You can also check with your villa rental agency or hotel front desk to see what is required for your entry.

Please note: If you are traveling with a nanny, babysitter, personal assistant or companion who are citizens of another country, make sure that they have the necessary documentation before departing. St Barts immigration is very strict and will turn away anyone without the necessary passport and visa.

Direct flights from the US to St Thomas USVI

St Thomas is historically linked to St Barts as it was one of the best places for St Barts residents to find work in the days before tourism became the leading employer. So many residents of nearby French Caribbean islands sought employment there that a neighborhood in Charlotte Amalie was nicknamed Frenchtown.

WIMCO's Travelers tip:  Consider flying into St Thomas's Cyril E. King International Airport (STT) and spending the night before flying on to St Barts. St Thomas has its charms including historic Frenchtown in Charlotte Amalie, the glamorous Ritz Carlton resort and spa, and scenic Magens Bay with its postcard perfect beach.  For a change of scene, take the 30 minute ferry over to Cruz Bay on St John island and visit the pristine beaches in its national park.

How safe is St Barts’ Gustaf III Airport?

St Barts' Gustaf III Airport has a rather undeserved reputation for being a dangerous place to land. This is probably because of the airport's short runway, which is surrounded on three sides by mountains, and which ends on the beach. 

Flying over the hill tops then descending rapidly onto the runway can be described as a "thrill ride". However, since the airport opened in 1984, there have only been six incidents and only one accident with fatality in 2001. While even one accident is too many, the airport's safety record is better than most other Caribbean or US airports. 

Pilots who want to land at St Barts Airport are required to obtain a special certification for short take-off and landing flights. They need to have this certification before they can arrive, so you can be assured that your pilot knows how to handle landing and taking off from this unusual airport. 

How early should you arrive for your outbound flight from St Barts?

Because of St Barts Airport's small size, you don't need to arrive quite as early as you do for larger, busier airports. However, you still need to have your luggage checked and pass through security, so we recommend that you get there at least one hour prior to your departure.

Private Charter Flights to St Barts

You can also book a private charter plane to fly to St Barts from several nearby islands in the Caribbean. These gateway islands include Puerto Rico, St Martin, Antigua, St Thomas, Guadeloupe and Martinique. Other route options may be available on a seasonal basis, call for details (401-849-8012).

Private charter plane service to St Barts is offered by local airlines like Tradewind, WinAir and St Barth Commuter as well as independent operators whose airplane fleet is used solely for private charter flights.

WIMCO’s Air Department can provide quotes for private and shared charter service to St Barths for up to 18 people per plane from any of the destinations noted above.

What to do at St Barts airport?

St Barts may be a small airport, but it has plenty of services and facilities to help make your journey more enjoyable. 

The ground floor level contains the departure and arrival areas, the rental car booths, and the check-in kiosks. The second floor includes a small shopping mall as well as Chez Joe, a restaurant with windows overlooking the runway.

What types of planes can land at St Barts airport?

Because the runway at St Barts airport is only 2,170 feet long, (and most commercial jets require a 6,000 foot runway to safely take off and land), landing rights at the Gustaf III Airport are limited to propeller planes seating less than 18 people.

The most popular STOL-type planes serving the St Barts airport are the Pilatus PC-12, the Cessna 208B Grand-Caravan and the Viking Air DHC-6 Twin Otter. You may also see smaller Cessnas and seaplanes, however few of those are used by commercial airlines when flying to St Barts.

Ground Transportation

For ground transportation, we recommend that all visitors to St Barts reserve a rental car to get to your villa or hotel and explore the island. Your WIMCO concierge will bring you to the rental car booths, then lead you up to your villa or hotel. 

If you don’t want to drive, WIMCO can arrange for a car and driver to meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel or villa. 

Car Rentals

Most of the vehicles rented on St Barts are small to accommodate the narrow roads on the island. You can also rent the iconic St Barts’ Mini Moke, a sort of miniature Jeep. (Note: These vehicles have a manual transmission.) There are six rental car operators at St Barts Airport.

Can helicopters land at St Barts airport?

Yes, AirSXM offers helicopter service from St Martin and Anguilla to St Barts. Passengers can fly in the Eurocopter AS 355-N is a twin-engine 5-seater helicopter. You can also book helicopter flights from San Juan to St Barts. 

The helicopter landing zone is right next to the arrivals area at St Barts Gustaf III Airport, and visitors to St Barts arriving via helicopter go through the same immigation desk and arrivals area as those arriving by plane.

How long will it take to get to my hotel or villa?

Since the airport is centrally located on the island, getting to your villa or hotel is relatively easy and takes less than 20 minutes in most cases. 

You don't need to worry about directions or finding ground transportation when you arrive. A member of WIMCO's concierge team will meet you as soon as you clear customs and immigration.

Arriving in St Barts Airport (St Barts Customs and Immigration Information)

WIMCO Villa Rental office across the street from the airport

WIMCO's office on St Barts is located right across the street from Gustav III Airport, so it's easy to reach us when you arrive or whenever you need us. We know St Barts intimately and can handle those extra details that make a vacation so special. 

Whether that's hiring a private chef to cook a romantic dinner for two or getting a caterer to handle that surprise birthday party for your mother, we can make it happen.

We're also well-versed in all things transportation-related on the island. We can make air reservations on both the international flights and the flights into St Barts airport. If you'd rather travel by private aircraft, we can help you charter a plane or help your pilot with all the information they need to know.

At WIMCO Villas, making sure that your vacation is as enjoyable as possible is our primary focus. To that end, a member of our concierge team meets each arriving client at the airport when they clear customs and immigration. 

We're not just your vacation specialist; we're your neighbors while you're on the island. We want to share our home and what makes it so special with you and your family. Feel free to send us a message or call us at +1-401-684-0557 when you are ready to plan that unforgettable vacation. 

Travelers arriving at St Barts airport will require a valid passport to enter St Barts. Travelers from the United States, Canada, Europe and most other developed countries do not require a visa. Travelers from certain countries like Brazil and Russia will require a Visa which can be obtained from any French Consulate or Embassy. 

Upon arriving you will walk up to the immigration desk which is manned by one gendarme. That person will check your passport and stamp it. You will then enter the baggage area to pick up your luggage. Then you step outside into the sun and start your vacation in St Barts.

Fun fact, when you step out of the arrivals door, look straight across the street and you’ll see a bright blue building - the WIMCO Villas concierge services office!

Frequently Asked Questions about St Barts' Gustaf III Airport (SBH)

Some of the questions we hear most often about St Barts airport include...

For those of you staying in Private Villas for the week, a representative from your local villa rental agency will meet you at the arrivals door, and will escort you to pick up your rental car before heading up to your villa.

Local villa rental company WIMCO Villas has an office directly across the street from the arrivals door. If you are staying in one of St Barts's intimate hotels, a hotel representative will meet you at the arrivals door, and will escort you to a minivan which will take you to your hotel.

Which airlines offer direct flights into airports serving St Barts?

Where is St Barts airport?

Gustaf III Airport in St Barts is located in the Village of St. Jean, on the north-central part of the island. The arrivals area is within walking distance of St Jean beach, and is only a 6-minute drive from the capital city of Gustavia.

It is not possible to fly directly to St Barts from the US or Europe. One must first fly to San Juan, St Martin, Antigua or Guadeloupe, then connect on a smaller plane flying into St Barts.

We have laid out all of the flight options for you on this page. Ready to plan your trip to St Barts? Contact the WIMCO Villas Air Department.

Taking a Ferry to St Barts

What is the St Barts Airport code?

The official IATA code for Gustaf III Airport in St Barts is SBH. ICAO code is TFFJ

Considering arriving by boat instead of by plane? Taking a ferry from St Martin to St Barts is an affordable way to reach your final destination. Two companies offer scheduled service, with the option of leaving from Marigot on the French side or Princess Juliana airport on the Dutch side.

Expect the trip to take from 45 minutes to 75 minutes based on the type of vessel you are traveling in, and the weather. See additional details about Traveling by Boat from St Martin to St Barths.

Private Charter Boat Service to St Barths

When is St Barts Airport open?

Gustaf III Airport in St Barts opens every day at 7:00 a.m. and closes 15 minutes after sunset. There are no nighttime departures or arrivals because the airport runway has no lights, and the surrounding hills would make instrument-only landings difficult.

You can also charter a private boat to bring you from St Martin to St Barts. There are several reasons why people choose to do this. Perhaps they do not want to fly in the type of small propeller plane that is required to land in St Barts. Or maybe they missed their flight due to the connecting flight arriving late in St Martin. Some people also simply love the speed of a private boat charter.

Whatever reason you choose to charter a boat from St Martin to St Barts, the travel services team at WIMCO can make all the arrangements for you.

Getting to St Barts by Private Yacht

What is St Barts Airport’s phone number?

Gustaf III Airport in St Barts doesn't publish its telephone number. However, you can reach the airlines that serve St Barts Airport by calling the numbers listed in an earlier section of this article.

You may have seen photos of Gustavia harbor on New Years Eve, with the surrounding waters filled with gleaming mega yachts. While many people charter a private yacht to use as their base while vacationing on St Barts, many of those people do not actually arrive in St Barts on the yacht. 

Instead, they fly into St Barts then take a tender boat out to the yacht. Or perhaps they fly into St Martin and take a helicopter out to their yacht. There are also some people who fly private jets into St Martin then take a short taxi ride to their yacht moored just offshore, and then travel the 12 miles to St Barts. 

Then, there are the fortunate few who travel from island to island on their yachts, and end up in St Barts. Perhaps they were in the BVI before, or the Grenadines... ah, what a life! 

However you plan to get onto your private yacht in St Barts, WIMCO can present a range of options and prices to you so you can select the private yacht charter boat, provisioning plan and staffing option that fits your specific needs.

Getting to St Barts

How long is the runway at St Barts?

We hope you found this detailed information about how to get to St Barts valuable.

Feel free to contact WIMCO Villas' friendly travel experts if you have any questions about flights, public ferry service or private boat charter service to St Barts. We will research all available options for your dates, budget and number of travelers, and present all options to you so you can compare prices, schedules and consider the convenience factor.

When you are ready to book tickets for your preferred option, WIMCO can arrange that, saving you time, and better protecting you should you need to cancel your trip and/or change your dates.

The single runway at St Barts Airport is 2,119 feet (646 meters) in length.

Can jets land in St Barts?

No, they can not. The short runway at St Barts Airport can only accommodate smaller prop planes, such as the 19-seat short takeoff and landing (STOL) Viking Air DHC-6 Twin Otter. Larger commercial jets and private jets can land at nearby Princess Juliana Airport on St Maarten and passengers can take a connecting flight on a smaller plane or a helicopter or take a ferry over to St Barts.