Getting there & Getting around

Getting there

All flights to Martinique arrive at Lamentin International Airport, just a 10-minute drive from Fort-de-France. Air France has the best access to Martinique, with daily flights from Paris to Martinique. It's also easy to get to the island from the US. American Airlines flights from Miami, New York and Boston connect through San Juan Puerto Rico; Air France flies direct daily from Miami. BWIA flies from JFK through Antigua or Barbados. There is no departure tax when leaving Martinique. Within the Caribbean, Air Caraïbes flies to Martinique from Guadeloupe, Dominica, St Lucia, St Martin, Antigua, St Vincent, Grenada and Trinidad & Tobago. Air Antilles and LIAT also connect Martinique with nearby Caribbean islands.

There are a couple of ways of getting to and from Martinique by boat. L'Express des îles runs modern catamarans between Martinique, Guadeloupe, Dominica and St Lucia. Brudey Frères runs a daily catamaran ferry service from Martinique to Guadeloupe and Dominica, plus a weekly service to St Lucia. Cruise ships land at Pointe Simon in Fort-de-France. Yachting is very popular in Martinique and there are numerous charter companies operating on the island.

Getting around

The best transportation option on Martinique is to rent a car. There are numerous car rental agencies at the airport that can set you up. Be aware that many companies offer a rate that adds on an extra charge for every kilometer you drive. Your home driver's license is valid, and driving is on the right side of the road. Motorcycles and bicycles are also available to rent and can be good options, especially because Martinique's roads are excellent by Caribbean standards.

Public transportation, the cheapest transport option, consists of buses known as taxi collectifs. One of the most useful routes runs between Fort-de-France and Saint-Pierre. It runs frequently on weekdays, less frequently on Sunday, and takes about 45 minutes. Taxis are more convenient but considerably more expensive.

There are a couple of regular ferries (vedettes) running between the main resort area of Pointe du Bout and Fort-de-France, providing a good alternative to heavy bus and car traffic and city parking hassles - and they're quicker to boot.

Martinique's only commercial airport is in Lamentin, 9km (6mi) east of Fort-de-France. The airport is just a 10-minute ride from the capital and about 20 minutes from the Pointe du Bout resort area. Taxis are readily available at the airport but are expensive, so if you plan to rent a car during your stay consider picking it up at the airport. Because of the taxi union, there's no direct bus service from the airport.

Visa information

US and Canadian citizens can stay up to three months without a visa by showing a valid passport and onward or return ticket. Citizens of the European Union (EU) need an official identity card, valid passport or French carte de séjour (visitor permit). Citizens of most other foreign countries, including Australia, need a valid passport and a visa for France. A roundtrip or onward ticket is officially required of all visitors.