On the Ground

On the Ground

Taxis in Martinique are expensive, so airport transfer costs must become a part of your vacation budget. From the airport to Fort-de-France you'll pay at least EUR 35; from the airport to Pointe du Bout, about EUR 40; and to Tartane, about EUR 50. A 40% surcharge is levied between 7 PM and 6 AM and on Sunday. This means that if you arrive at night, depending on where your hotel is, it may be cheaper (although not safer) to rent a car from the airport and keep it for 24 hours than to take a taxi to your hotel.

Renting a Car: It's worth the hassle to rent a car—if for only a day or two—so that you can explore more of the island. Just be prepared for a manual shift, steep mountainous roads, and heavy traffic. Prices are expensive, about EUR 70 per day or EUR 330 per week (unlimited mileage) for a manual shift, perhaps more for an automatic, which is rare. You may save money by waiting to book your car rental on the island for a reduced weekly rate from a local agency. With the latter, though, know that some make up their own rules, and they will not be in your favor. There's an extra charge if you drop the car at the airport, having rented it somewhere else on the island. A valid U.S. driver's license and International Driver's Permit are needed to rent a car for up to 20 days.