The short version
St. Maarten taxis run on a fixed, government-regulated zone tariff, not a meter. There’s no Uber, Lyft, or Bolt on the island. Fares depend on your pickup zone, your destination zone, and how many passengers are riding, not distance traveled by GPS. Ask the price before you get in, official taxis carry TX plates and are legally required to display the tariff chart in the vehicle.
How the fare system actually works
Rates come in three published categories:
- Base fare for one or two passengers traveling together
- Additional per-person charge for a third, fourth, or fifth passenger
- Additional per-person charge for a sixth passenger or more
A fourth category covers shared/ride-sharing fares, used less by visitors but published under the same national tariff system.
Surcharges:
- 10pm to midnight: fares increase 25%
- Midnight to 5am: fares increase 50% (some sources describe this as a “double fare,” treat the 50% figure as the one tied directly to the official tourism board source)
- Extra luggage: one checked bag per person is free, additional pieces can cost $5 each
Fares from Princess Juliana International Airport (PJIA)
For a trip originating at the airport.
Sources disagree on whether these figures are charged per person or per taxi. The tourism board publishes them as a per-person chart; several operator sites describe the base figure as covering one or two passengers travelling together. Both readings are in circulation, so agree the total with the driver before you set off, and treat the numbers below as the shape of the tariff rather than a quote.
| Destination | 1-2 people | 3-5 people | 6+ people |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maho Beach | $8 | $4 | $4 |
| Cole Bay | $11 | $7 | $7 |
| Simpson Bay / Cupecoy | $15 | $7 | $7 |
| Mullet Bay | $12 | $6 | $6 |
| Little Bay | $20 | $9 | $8 |
| Philipsburg | $20 | $9 | $8 |
| Oyster Bay area (Dawn Beach, Princess Heights) | $40 | $18 | $16 |
| Cruise Port | $25 | $10 | $9 |
| Grand Case / L’Espérance Airport (French side) | $30-$45 | n/a | n/a |
Figures above per Visit St. Maarten’s official downloadable fare table (dollar and XCG amounts both published; USD shown here).
Fares from the St. Maarten Cruise Port
| Destination | 1-2 people | 3-5 people (add’l) | 6+ people (add’l) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philipsburg / Great Bay Beach / Little Bay Beach | $10 | +$5 | +$5 |
| Maho Beach | $20 | +$9 | +$8 |
| Rainforest Adventure Park | $12 | +$5 | +$5 |
| Simpson Bay (Kim Sha, Simpson Bay Beach) | $18 | +$7 | +$7 |
| Orient Bay Beach | $30-$45 | n/a | n/a |
| Grand Case | $35-$40 | n/a | n/a |
Night and luggage rules
- After 10pm: +25%
- After midnight until 5am: +50%
- One checked bag per person: free
- Each additional checked bag: +$5
- Waiting time and hourly hire: billed separately (roughly $50/hour hire rate reported by third-party operator sites, not confirmed against the official chart)
How to book or hail
- SXM Taxi app (iOS and Android): official app listing 200+ registered drivers, launched 2024
- Airport Taxi Association: +1-721-542-1681
- St. Maarten Taxi Association: +1-721-543-7814 (also published elsewhere as -7815, we’re flagging the discrepancy rather than guessing which is current)
- Taxis queue at Princess Juliana International Airport, Port St. Maarten (cruise port), the Courthouse in Philipsburg, and every major resort
What to watch for
- Plates matter. Only vehicles with plates starting TX are bound by the official tariff. If a driver quotes a price and the plate doesn’t start with TX, the government rate card doesn’t apply and you’re negotiating a private fare.
- A rate change is pending. Five taxi associations submitted a proposal to the Ministry of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Traffic and Telecommunication in 2025 requesting a tariff increase, citing cost of living and a desire to sync with French-side rates. As of our last check, no decision had been announced. If you’re reading this months after publication, confirm current rates with a driver or the association directly, this page will be updated when a new decree is confirmed.
- XCG vs USD. St. Maarten’s currency shows as XCG (Caribbean guilder) on official government paperwork, but tourism pricing and daily transactions run in US dollars. All figures above are the USD equivalents from the official tourist-facing chart.
Back to the transportation hub for every other way around the island, or the plan your trip hub for the rest of the trip.