In order to compare rates to SXM, check out Travelocity.

The cheapest way to fly to SXM, that I know of, is through JetBlue, but you'd have to fly into SJU then continue on to SXM from there.

Actually, I just emailed someone about this, I'll just copy and paste what I wrote:

For travelling, try www.expedia.ca or www.travelocity.ca Those are the cheapest sites. On average, I pay $800-900 for two way for a ticket from Toronto to St. Maarten (the main island). A two way ticket from St. Maarten to Saba is about another $100, so in total, I end up paying about $900-$1000. There's really no point in buying a two way ticket your first time, because it takes too much planning (to figure out when you're going back), and at the end, people don't really end up saving money. So it's ok if you buy a one way ticket to Saba (unless of course, a two way ticket is cheaper than the one way).

Also, if you pick US Airways, you could buy a ticket straight to Saba, instead of buying a ticket to St. Maarten first, and then taking a boat/plane to Saba. That way you save money on your luggage too, because the Winair flights (the planes to Saba) are really small and have a really low weight limit, and they will end up charging you a lot of money for extra luggage. If you book your ticket straight through US Airways, the luggage goes straight to the Winair planes without being checked, so you won't have to pay for extra luggage. So getting a ticket straight down to Saba through US Airways is the best bet (and the ticket will probably cost you about a $1000).

If you don't want to take a plane from St. Maarten to Saba, then you could take the ferry over, (which means you could bring a lot more luggage with you). But it doesn't run on Mondays and Tuesdays. I didn't really bring a lot of things with me, but I found that all the basic necessities were available in the stores here.

Also, going through San Juan is always cheaper, but also it has a horrible reputation (people always lose their luggage, or miss their flight). So avoid it if you can.

I hope that helps.

I'll be starting at Saba in Sept. 05 and I've been searching for the best prices on airline tickets. This sight has been a big help, so thanks!

I'm flying out of Nashville, TN and I've found tickets for $350, but I have a layover in San Juan. I've also found tickets where I can avoid San Juan, but they are considerably more expensive, around $560. Is San Juan really that bad? Would it be worth forking over the extra $200 and save myself the trouble? I've heard a few bad things, but only one personal bad experience. Has anyone else really had problems, or is it "a friend of a friend had problems" in San Juan kind of deal going on here?

Also, the flight I'm planning on booking arrives in St. Maarten at 4:54 pm and the Winair flight I want to book leaves at 5:30 pm. Is that enough time between flights or will I probably miss the Winair?

Thanks for your help.

Miranda

Hi everyone, I've been a procrastinator and haven't bought my tickets yet. Is anyone flying out of New York around august 31st? I was wondering whether anyone found a great deal. thanks!

I just wanted to let everyone know that if you take the ferry over to Saba, it leaves out of and arrives into the Pelican Bay Resort. It is one of the hotels in the student handbook SUSOM sends you. I am paying $94 dollars for a one night stay in a studio room.


Andrew

Is anyone planning on going to saba from the chicagoland area or midwest?

I've looked over most of the airline sites (Orbitz, Travelocity, Expedia, Priceline, Cheaptickets, AA, Delta) and our best best is booking directly through Delta.com. They (and I would imagine most airlines) have a low price guarantee. One would think they should be able to offer the lowest fares on their own flights.

Having read so much about varying paths to the isle, I thought I would throw in what we've found in case it helps anyone else.

We're flying in about a month early to get the family (my bride and toddler) situated and acclimated to the island before the onslaught. We're flying from Tallahassee to SXM on 12.05, spending a couple of days to enjoy St. Maartin and then taking the ferry on 12.07 to Saba. What I especially wanted to point out is that we're specifically taking Delta because the only layover is in Atlanta for an hour. We are able to avoid San Juan completely and the fare is the same as taking the US Airways flight. Obviously, leaving from FL has great advantages since total travel time is only 6 hours. Base cost $441 per person, $540 with all taxes, etc. The ferry is additional (which we're taking because of the amount of luggage we'll have with all bags, stroller, car seat, etc.).

I also found that booking round trip is cheaper than a one-way.

Hope this helps someone. Anyone is welcome to PM me with questions.

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IHMS,

omega's

M/V Dawn II is a new ferry service between Saba and Sint Maarten the price is $35 one way, it departs from Doc Maarten, Chesterfields Marina in Philipsburg, Sint Maarten at 5pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.

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011-599-416-2299 Office
011-599-416-5885 UTS Cellular
011-599-416-6051 UTS Cellular
011-599-527-4342 TelCell
info@sabactranport.com
www.sabactransport.com

Hey guys, I have a question. Since most of the flights going to St. Maarten have 1 or 2 stops, and in US, does any one know if you need a US visa for those stop overs if you're not American?

I would appreciate your help if anyone has any pertinent information.

You won't need a US visa to simply pass through the country. As long as your ticket is all the way to St. Maarten or Saba, they don't mind. You will have to pass through customs and you will have to have a passport from your own country but you won't need any visas to simply transfer planes in a US airport.

Hope that helps.

R/