Economy2024 Chevy Spark
Hardy's Car Rental
- 4 seats
- 2 large suitcase + small backpack
- Automatic
- A/C
1-14 White Sands Road, Beacon Hill, Simpson Bay · Free vehicle delivery and pickup
$40 / day
$0 refundable deposit
Two sides. One island. Drives on the right.
St. Maarten car rental & driving guide
Pick up a rental car near Princess Juliana International Airport, explore Dutch Sint Maarten, and continue into French Saint-Martin without a border checkpoint. Browse local fleets, request the vehicle that fits your trip, and pay the rental company directly according to its payment policy.
No card charged on Customs Breeze — your request goes straight to the local rental company. Plan your island drive →
- Driving side
RightBoth sides of the island
- Main airport
SXMPrincess Juliana International
- Town speed limit
50 km/habout 30 mph
- Island access
Dutch & FrenchNo border checkpoint
Local fleets
Car rental in St. Maarten
Browse economy cars, sedans, SUVs, minivans and more from local rental companies. Enter your dates to see suitable vehicles and review each provider's pricing, deposit, insurance, mileage, pickup and cancellation policies.
Filter by vehicle category
- EconomyRequest — 2024 Chevy Spark
Sedan2024 Nissan Versa
Hardy's Car Rental
- 5 seats
- 3 large suitcase + small backpack
- Automatic
- A/C
1-14 White Sands Rd, Simpson Bay
Request — 2024 Nissan Versa$50 / day
$0 refundable deposit
Sedan2020 Nissan Sentra
Hardy's Car Rental
- 5 seats
- 2 large suitcases + 1–2 carry-on bags
- Automatic
- A/C
Pick up at the rental office
Request — 2020 Nissan Sentra$65 / day
$0 refundable deposit
Sedan2027 Toyota Yaris
Hardy's Car Rental
- 5 seats
- 1 large suitcase + 2 carry-on bags
- Automatic
- A/C
Pick up at the rental office
Request — 2027 Toyota Yaris$65 / day
$0 refundable deposit
SUV2022 Nissan Rogue
Hardy's Car Rental
- 5 seats
- 4 large suitcase + small backpack
- Automatic
- A/C
Pick up at the rental office
Request — 2022 Nissan Rogue$85 / day
$0 refundable deposit
Van2019 Toyota Sienna
Hardy's Car Rental
- 8 seats
- 4 large suitcases + 2–3 carry-on bags
- Automatic
- A/C
1-14 White Sands Rd, Simpson Bay
Request — 2019 Toyota Sienna$100 / day
$0 refundable deposit
Rates, deposits and policies are set by each rental company and confirmed on the vehicle page.
Rather not drive?
Request a travel quote from a local taxi driver
Tell us your flight, ship or hotel details and how many people are traveling. Local St. Maarten drivers send you a quote for airport transfers, cruise-port pickups, dinner runs in Grand Case, or a full day around both sides of the island.
- No card charged
- Quotes come directly from local drivers
- Dutch & French sides
Requirements
Before you drive in St. Maarten
Rental-company requirements vary, so always check the policies displayed on the individual vehicle page before sending your request.
Driver's license
Bring your original, valid license. Official destination guidance states that you must have held it for at least one year, and rental companies may require longer. If it is not in the Roman alphabet, ask whether an International Driving Permit is also required.
Minimum rental age
Official destination guidance states that renters must be at least 18 and have held a valid driver's license for at least one year. Individual rental companies may impose higher minimum ages, young-driver fees or vehicle restrictions. Always check the policy on the vehicle page.
ID and payment
Bring your passport or accepted photo identification and a major credit card in the main driver's name. A refundable security deposit or card authorization may be required.
Driving on both sides
Match your trip
Which rental car is right for your trip?
Main roads are paved, but streets can be narrow, parking can be tight, and some accommodations sit on steep roads. Choose based on passengers, luggage, and where you plan to stay.
| Your trip | Recommended |
|---|---|
| Solo traveler or couple | Economy or compact |
| Couple with several suitcases | Compact SUV or midsize sedan |
| Family with luggage | Midsize SUV |
| Group of five or more | Minivan or passenger van |
| Hotel in a steep or elevated area | SUV |
SXM Airport
SXM Airport car rental
Princess Juliana International Airport is the main arrival point for international travelers. Rental companies operate at or near the airport, while some local providers arrange shuttle service or vehicle delivery.
Before arrival, confirm
- The exact pickup or meeting point
- Whether the company has an airport counter
On the road
Driving essentials for St. Maarten
Drive on the right
Vehicles drive on the right-hand side on both Dutch Sint Maarten and French Saint-Martin.
No right turn on red
Unlike much of the United States, turning right at a red light is prohibited unless signage specifically directs otherwise.
Roundabout rules
Vehicles already circulating generally have priority. Slow down, watch the lane markings, and signal before exiting.
Traffic and rush hour
Congestion is common around Simpson Bay, Cole Bay, Philipsburg, Marigot and the airport — usually weekday mornings and late afternoons. Cruise-ship traffic also affects Philipsburg.
Road conditions
Many roads are narrow, winding, or dimly lit after dark. Drive cautiously, particularly on unfamiliar hillside roads and during rain.
Two jurisdictions
Crossing between Sint Maarten and Saint-Martin
There is no physical border checkpoint between the Dutch and French sides. You can drive from Philipsburg or Simpson Bay to Marigot, Grand Case and Orient Bay without stopping for passport control.
Two legal jurisdictions remain involved, so keep your rental agreement and the provider's emergency contact number with you.
Confirm with your rental company
- The company permits travel on both sides
- Your insurance remains valid in French Saint-Martin
Parking
Parking in St. Maarten
Philipsburg
Front Street and the Boardwalk are difficult during business hours or busy cruise days. Look for public parking along Pondfill Road or use a paid facility.
Maho Beach
Do not stop or park on the narrow road beside the beach and runway. Use an authorized paid area in Maho Village or a nearby property.
Simpson Bay
Restaurants and businesses may have limited private parking. Confirm arrangements before driving to a busy dinner reservation.
Marigot & Grand Case
Use designated public or paid parking and avoid blocking narrow streets, entrances, or residential access.
Never leave passports, electronics, shopping bags, or other valuables visible inside the car.
Fuel & return
Fuel and returning your car
Worth the drive
Beaches and places worth the drive
Maho Beach
Watch aircraft approach SXM from one of the Caribbean's most recognizable beaches. Use designated parking and stay away from the fence and jet-blast area.
Mullet Bay
A popular swimming beach close to Maho, with a more relaxed setting and convenient access for a two-stop beach day.
Plan your drive
Three easy St. Maarten driving itineraries
- Half day
Dutch-side drive
- SXM Airport or Simpson Bay
- Maho Beach
- Mullet Bay
- Cupecoy
- Simpson Bay
Best for travelers who want beaches and plane spotting without spending the whole day driving.
- Full day
Two-country island loop
- Philipsburg
- Orient Bay
Complete your St. Maarten trip
Entry & customs information
Review entry requirements and arrival information before flying into SXM.
Open the entry guide →Airport & cruise transfers
Landing after your rental office closes, or prefer not to drive? Arrange a local driver.
Find local drivers →Tours & experiences
Add a boat trip, guided island tour, or snorkeling excursion to your itinerary.
Browse tours →Restaurants
Answers
St. Maarten car rental FAQ
Sint Maarten is the official name of the Dutch side. Saint-Martin is the French side. Travelers often use “St. Maarten” or “Saint Martin” when referring to the island generally.
You drive on the right-hand side on both Dutch Sint Maarten and French Saint-Martin.
Usually, but you must confirm that your rental company permits it and that the vehicle's insurance and roadside assistance cover French Saint-Martin.
Many visitors can rent with their valid domestic driver’s license. An International Driving Permit may be required when the original license does not use the Roman alphabet or when a particular provider requires one. Check the rental company’s policy before arrival.
Official visitor guidance lists 18 as the minimum age, with a license held for at least one year. Rental companies can impose higher age limits, vehicle restrictions, or young-driver fees.
Yes. Rental companies operate at or near SXM Airport. Depending on the provider, pickup may involve an airport counter, a representative meeting you, or a short shuttle ride.
Yes. Some companies offer pickup near the cruise port or elsewhere in Philipsburg. Confirm the meeting point and return time, and allow extra time for traffic before your ship departs.
Parking is generally manageable outside the busiest commercial areas. It can be more challenging in Philipsburg, Maho, Simpson Bay, Marigot and Grand Case, where designated or paid parking is often the better option.
A compact car works well for most couples and short trips. Families, larger groups, and travelers with substantial luggage may be more comfortable in an SUV or minivan.
Customs Breeze sends your reservation request to the local rental company. Your card is not charged on the platform. You pay the rental provider directly according to its deposit and payment policies.
Reserve as soon as your travel dates are confirmed, especially for winter, holiday, Carnival and spring-break travel. Automatic vehicles, SUVs and minivans can sell out first.
For rental companies
Put your St. Maarten fleet in front of arriving travelers
List your vehicles, set your own rates, deposits and policies, and receive booking requests directly from travelers landing at SXM and arriving by cruise ship.
Accuracy note. Driving regulations and rental-company policies may change. Requirements, deposits, insurance, fees and pickup arrangements shown on each live vehicle page take precedence over this destination guide.
Flying in? Review the St. Maarten entry & customs form guide before you land at SXM.
St. Maarten · SXM Airport & cruise port
Local rental cars
