While buses are available, they can be infrequent, especially in rural areas, so they’re not always the most reliable for tourists. There are two types of buses operating on Martinique. Regular buses, called grands busses, hold about 40 passengers and travel within the city limits of Fort-de-France. To travel beyond the city limits, nine-passenger taxis collectifs are used. These are privately owned minivans that travel the island with a sign “TC”. Their routes are flexible and depend on passenger needs. Taxi Collectifs depart from the heart of Fort-deFrance from the parking lot of Pointe Simon. Ther’s no phone number to call for information about this unpredictable means of transport, and there are no set schedules.

Activities and sites are too spread out to reach on foot, even in Fort-de_France. The best way to get from place to place is by car.

Renting a car is the best way to explore the island, especially if you plan to visit more remote areas. The island is small enough that you can drive all over the island, it’s 22 miles wide and about 50 miles long. The roads are in good condition, but they can be winding and narrow in some parts. To be on the safe side, you should rent from a European or US-based car rental firm, as some travelers have reported mechanical problems and billing inconsistencies with a few local companies. You may experience some intense traffic around Fort-de-France at rush hour, so plan your excursions accordingly.

Taxis are efficient, and also extremely expensive. Be aware that there is a 40% surcharge to ride at night, on a Sunday, or on holidays. Taxi drivers are known to be courteous and often times speak English, Spanish, and German.

For an affordable and picturesque way to transfer between Fort-de-France and the hotel and tourist district of Point du Bout, you can take a vedette
There’s a small ferryboat that runs between Fort-de-France and the smaller resort area of Anse Mitan and Anse-à-l’Ane, both across the bay and home to many two- and three-star hotels and modest Creole restaurants. The boat departs from rue de la Liberté in Fort-de-France at intervals of between 20 and 30 minutes every day from 7:30 am to 6 pm.

The island is located in the Lesser Antilles between Dominica and St. Lucia. If you are flying into Martinique, Airport Martinique Aimé Césaire is located outside the Village of Lamentin, a 15 minute taxi ride east of Fort-de-France and a 40-minute taxi ride northeast of Les Trois-Ilets peninsula (the island’s most popular area of resort hotels).

Yes, Martinique is an overseas department and region of France. It is fully integrated into France’s political and legal framework, making it part of the European Union.

The best way to get around Martinique is in a car – either by rental car or a taxi. Even if you intend to spend most of your time on the beach, you’ll at least need to take a cab from Martinique Aimé Césaire International Airport (FDF) to either downtown Fort-de-France or the island’s resort areas. Martinique has several local car-rental agencies. Driving in Martinique is on the right side of the road.

Using a taxi for sightseeing is expensive. Instead, rent a vehicle and begin exploring on your own. For a break from the driving, consider taking a pleasant vedette (ferry boat) ride between the east coast’s marinas. Most trips take about 20 minutes one-way, cost approximately about $7 round-trip, and will save you from some of the traffic woes that come from driving yourself.

Public transportation is available, but it can be limited, particularly outside the main cities. Minibuses marked with “TC” (for Taxi Collectifs) motor between Fort-de-France and popular tourist enclaves like St Pierre, Trois Îlets, Le Diamant and Ste-Anne. But these vans are generally considered unreliable because the drivers are willing to change the route according to their passengers’ needs. The fare is also inconsistent.

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