Airport Question

So my trip is a week away - anyone have any good advice to get to the Flamingo from the Airport? Besides a taxi, of course...we are not renting a car etc. This is our first time - should we take a jitney? Is there a certain time for them? I know that there is not a specific bus service...or is there? Thanks for your help

A jitney??? What's that? There are busses, but they are not on any kind of a schedule. Take a cab. It will be something like $10, plus a fee per bag. If you want to mess with trying to catch a bus around later, after you have been on island a day or two, fine, but after a long day of travelling, take a cab. ...and frankly, once you get there, rent a car for at least a day or two. Very difficult to get around and to discover different parts of the island without a car.

Sound advice.
Most of us are maxed out being treated like cattle by airlines/Immigration/Customs, etc. on our way there so when you finally arrive in SXM a cab is the least hassle.

Last November, a cab for two adults with two suitcases was $12 total to Flamingo. In a nice van.

Super awesome - thanks everyone - I plan on renting a car at some point for a day and driving the island etc.

(btw - when you google bus lines in sxm - Jitney comes up - I was like...uh...what???)

To get a cab, walk out of luggage more or less across the terminal, out the doors and there will be taxi's and someone to help you get on your way

Jitney - for some a mostly long gone pre uber experience!

J&B

There is a taxi stand and dispatcher as you exit the airport. They should be able to quote you a rate and get the next cab/van in line. Cost will not be much to Flamingo.

Cornhusker...

Enjoy your trip to the island. One thing though, you may want to reconsider are your ''travel around the island'' plans. To get to the restaurants, shopping, etc...from Flamingo is not an easy walk....and if you head to Simpson Bay, from Flamingo it is halfway up hill......and then down......and the return walk is almost all the way up hill!!!! Don't know your age, or what shape you are in....but staying at Flamingo is a ''workout'' in progress. All uphill from you. You may want to reconsider your idea of a rental car for just a day or two. First of all, a short term one or day rental, will probably cost at least half of what you would pay for a weekly rate. Then add in taxi fares, even too and from the airport, and a couple of restaurant trips, you will be paying more than you would for the rental. Just a thought...my two cents worth.

Full disclosure: My wife and I are in our mid 60's and walk from the SBR upper B bldg to Sunset beach (and back) at least twice during our two weeks. With that said:

The walk FROM Flamingo to Kim Sha Beach is MOSTLY all down hill...the walk back CAN involve a decent hill but if you cut along the water at SBR Villas there is no hill at all to Flamingo... just stairs down to water level and flat from there. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" />

EdB/boucharda

I appreciate the concern - however - I ran Hood To Coast (google it) the past two years and work out 5/6 times per week...so I am all good with a bit of trekking up and down hills!

Rent a car and drive to Flamigo. Car rentals are very inexpensive this time of year. For around $100 a week you can rent a car. I think being without one is a bad idea.

A jitney is a term we are very familiar with in New Jersey. They are the small buses that follow a set route along the main road. SO when I heard that term in SXM it seemed normal but I can see where the rest of the country would go - Huh?

First time on the island definitely taxi from airport. Vacation time is valuable no need to stand at airport waiting for anything!! The magic starts at princess julianna! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" />

Good for you on the Hood to Coast, did you do it this year with the wind? Crazy

For those that do not know the event, start on Mt Hood and run in relay format with a team where each runner usually does more than one portion of the 198 miles where it ends at the Oregon Coast. All through the day and night.

Cheers,
Todd

Todd - yup - this year was the year of the windstorm - did it - they cancelled the beach party b/c the wind was ripping down the stage and flinging portopotties into the air - last year was the year of the traffic jam - did it - there is running involved, but damn if it isn't alot of driving and waiting to run -

NIGHT RUNS ARE THE [email]BEST@!!![/email]

Is that the race that ends at Canon Beach?

It begins at Mt Hood and ends in Seaside

Is it down hill all the way?

LOL. Hardly!

Ok I though it might be because it starts on a mountain and meets the sea. How are the fires our in Washington and Oregon. We were in Montana in September and the smoke from Washington and Oregon was terrible.

The race was in August, and there was a smoke advisory then, and I flew over a large forest fire...but I am not too privy of the situation now, since flying back home.

You would THINK that it would be downhill...but there are some legs that are 6 miles long and 4.5 are uphill - it is quite a challenge

I'm sure it is.

CUT THROUGH THE SIMPSON BAY RESORT-but now I OWN that hill! it's amazing what a difference 15 pounds will make... and I thought jitneys were a Pittsburgh thing.In Pittsburgh they were a local, under the radar car service for folks who couldn't afford a cab. Oh and yeah.. just walk out of baggage claim and claim a cab. quick and easy.

I read that you are in good shape, but that isn't it. What I'm concerd with is your safty. Walking along these roads are dangerous. The cars trucks zip a long so fast you could get clipped or worse. Take real good thought to this, we've seen bikes get clocked off the road. take a cab, rent a car ( we all have our favorites) but please don't walk the sides of the streets! plenty of beaches, mountains to workout! My big recommendation is Mr. Brooks service. Good luck, be safe! http://www.info-res.com/wilfredtaxi/

There is a side walk all the way from Flamingo to Atrium and beyond.

We walk all around from BSV, mostly daytime. Just be careful and aware of your surroundings!

Yes, but with a beer? <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

Hopefully, many beers... <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" />

Enjoy your trip and let us know how it was upon your return!