How long does immigration take at St. Maarten Airport?

[scubamickey]

I'm wondering how long it takes from the time you get off the plane at the airport in St. Marten to the time you get your luggage. I read that the long lines are not the norm there so I'm wondering how long it does take. We arrive at 2:30 and have a ferry to catch at 4:45. The location is over an hour away.

 

[morecowbells]

We arrived in St. Maarten at the same time as a couple of other aircraft. When you walk down the steps from the aircraft you will be directed over to a bus. A bunch of people pushed past everyone else to be first on the bus. My husband and I were some of the last passengers to board. This actually worked to our benefit. The bus has two sets of doors. Since the bus was crowded we just stepped on and were right by the doors which meant we were the first off and at the front of the line at immigration. I would say that from boarding the bus to going through immigration to our luggage it was maybe 30 minutes max. Have fun in Saba. You will love it!

 

[knucklebusted]

We arrived in St. Maarten at the same time as a couple of other aircraft. When you walk down the steps from the aircraft you will be directed over to a bus. A bunch of people pushed past everyone else to be first on the bus. My husband and I were some of the last passengers to board. This actually worked to our benefit. The bus has two sets of doors. Since the bus was crowded we just stepped on and were right by the doors which meant we were the first off and at the front of the line at immigration. I would say that from boarding the bus to going through immigration to our luggage it was maybe 30 minutes max. Have fun in Saba. You will love it!

That is pretty much my exact experience on May 24th. There was no customs inspection or at least not when I walked through and I was quite surprised that once we got our passport stamp we just had to find the rental car counter.

I only wish I'd had time to visit Saba as well! Maybe next time!

 

[scubamickey]

The islands of the Netherlands Antilles are free ports. Meaning that there is no regulation of customs.

I was just concerned that there would be long lines at immigration. I can barely spare an hour there if we're going to make our ferry. I am told that it takes at least an hour to get from the airport to the marina where the Dawn II docks.

Thank you both for you input. I am a little more relaxed now

 

[BHB ScubaTroll]

As long as it takes them to say welcome, and stamp your passport