Philipsburg – Gustavia

Ferry to St Barts

Philipsburg – Gustavia

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Ferry Pricing, Offers & Availability

Philipsburg to Gustavia Ferry Price

Philipsburg Gustavia ferry prices tend to range between £52* and £278*. The average price for ferries from Philipsburg Gustavia is typically £139*. The cheapest Philipsburg Gustavia ferry prices start from £52*. The average foot passenger price is £139*.

Pricing will vary depending on the number of passengers, vehicle type, route and sailing times. Pricing is taken from searches over the last 30 days and is exclusive of service fees, last updated October 25.

Cheap Ferry Tickets for the ferry from Philipsburg to Gustavia

You can easily find cheap ferry tickets with our Deal Finder. We recommend booking in advance to get the best possible prices and availability. You can also check out our Special Offers page for the latest deals on Philipsburg ferries.

Are there any discounts available for senior citizens, students or residents?

Yes, Direct Ferries offers a wide range of discounts all year around. When searching for ferries, senior discounts will be automatically applied if they are available. Just select your age range from the passenger options.

Students and graduates can get a 5% discount on ferry tickets. To take advantage of the discount, you need to register with our partner Student Beans and confirm your student or graduate status. You will then receive a discount code which can be entered during the payment process.

Resident discounts are available on a variety of Spanish and Italian ferry routes. Just click on the "Residents" option when this is displayed in our Deal Finder. The discount is automatically applied to the price. Bear in mind that proof of registration or an identity card with the correct address must be shown at check-in.

Philipsburg Gustavia Ferry Times

The first Philipsburg Gustavia ferry typically departs from Philipsburg at around 07:15. The last ferry usually departs at 17:30.

Can I do a day trip from Philipsburg to Gustavia?

Yes, you can take a day trip between Philipsburg and Gustavia. Day trips from Philipsburg to Gustavia by ferry are very popular due to the short journey time and many daily crossings. If possible, taking a vehicle is also a good way to explore the surrounding area outside the harbour at your own pace.


Vehicles & Pets

Can I bring my car on the ferry from Philipsburg to Gustavia?

No, ferry operators currently do not allow cars to travel on sailings between Philipsburg and Gustavia.

Can I bring my caravan on the ferry from Philipsburg to Gustavia?

Whether you can bring your campervan on the ferry from Philipsburg to Gustavia depends on several factors like the ship & operator of your preferred crossing. For more information on travelling with campervans & caravans on ferries, use our Deal Finder or visit our blog, where you can find practical tips & travel inspiration for your next adventure.

Can I travel by bicycle on the ferry from Philipsburg to Gustavia?

Currently, you cannot take your bicycle on board any ferries from Philipsburg to Gustavia.

Can I travel as a foot passenger from Philipsburg to Gustavia?

Yes, foot passengers can travel with Great Bay Express ferries between Philipsburg and Gustavia.

Can I take my pet on the ferry from Philipsburg to Gustavia?

Pets are allowed on ferries travelling from Philipsburg to Gustavia with Great Bay Express. Please also note that your pet may have to stay in the vehicle during the journey unless the ferry operator supplies pet accommodation.

Can I take an overnight ferry from Philipsburg to Gustavia?

Use our Deal Finder to find out whether your preferred ferry is an overnight ferry. Here you can also find the current ferry timetables and crossing times. Please note that the duration of the night ferries are usually slightly longer than that of the day ferries. 


Journey Information

International Travel Rules

Travel requirements can vary depending on the route, so it's important to check what documents you'll need before sailing. In most cases, a valid passport is required when traveling from Philipsburg to Gustavia, along with any necessary visas or national ID cards. Requirements may differ based on your nationality and the destination country’s regulations. To avoid delays at check-in, you can find helpful information for your journey in our Check-in, Travel Documents & Tickets guide and in our blog post on tips and tricks for international travel


Travel Smart: How to book a ferry

Booking your Philipsburg to Gustavia ferry tickets

Book your ferry tickets online with Direct Ferries using our Deal Finder. Just enter your departure and arrival ports and the date you’d like to travel to see all available options and prices. You’ll also be able to view alternative routes and times, so you can find the best deal to suit you.

Look out for early booking discounts or special ticket options such as upgrades or flexi-tickets that allow you to change or cancel your booking. To make your sailing as smooth as possible, make sure you enter all the required information correctly, such as number of passengers and vehicle specifications.

Collecting your ferry tickets from Philipsburg port

Once you’ve finalised your booking, you’ll receive a confirmation email. It depends on the ferry operator you book with as to how your boarding pass is issued and collected.

Whilst some ferry operators issue the boarding pass as soon as your booking is confirmed, others may ask you to check in at the port. There’s also the option for online check-in, which can be easily done via the Direct Ferries app, if available.

The ticket desks are usually located near the ferry terminals. To avoid any delays at the port, we’d recommend allowing some extra time to collect your tickets and to check-in.

During check-in, you must show your email confirmation, as well as an official photo ID, such as a passport or identity card. You might also be asked to provide documentation for your pet (vaccines, pet insurance etc.) or proof of residence, if you have booked your ticket with a resident discount.

Why are there no ferries available on the date I want to travel?

There could be various reasons why there are no departures from Philipsburg to Gustavia for the date you’ve requested. For example, a temporary timetable change, limited availability or seasonal changes in the timetable.

We recommend checking for alternative dates. Our Deal Finder automatically compares the desired route with alternative routes and dates, offering up-to-date real time options, all in one place.

When is the best time to book a ferry to Gustavia?

The best time to book ferries from Philipsburg to Gustavia is usually as early as possible. By booking in advance, you’ll not only get your tickets at the best available prices, but you’ll also get a better choice of departure times and cabin/seating options.

We’d recommend making your booking at least a few weeks in advance to benefit from the best offers. Bear in mind that prices may vary depending on the season and availability.

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Philipsburg - Gustavia Ferry Route summary
OriginSt Martin
DestinationSt Barts
No. of Operators1
OperatorsGreat Bay Express
Average Price£139
Average Daily Sailings3
Average Weekly Sailings19
Average Sailing Duration45 m
Fastest Sailing Duration45 m
First Ferry07:15
Last Ferry17:30
Distance12 Nautical Miles

* Prices subject to change, pricing is taken from last 30 days, last updated 1 October 2025.

Philipsburg to Gustavia Ferry Most Popular Questions

Philipsburg Guide

What is there to do in Philipsburg?

Reliant on its beautiful beach front to attract tourists, Philipsburg is the quintessential idyllic holiday destination for those in need of a relaxing atmosphere amid beautiful surroundings. The beach off Front Street offers the best water on the island, though it can become very busy in the summer months when the weather is particularly pleasant. Whilst at the beach, it is worthwhile checking out what Front Street has to offer; Philipsburg’s busiest street is lined with shops selling myriad of souvenirs, authentic clothing and art at discounted prices. Away from the beach, the market in the town centre has more leeway when it comes to haggling, which is encouraged for tourists who may be subject to heightened prices. For couples looking to enjoy a romantic experience, there is the opportunity to embark on a horse ride along the beach, which is particularly pleasant in the evening as the sun sets. After a long day in the sun, head to the array of restaurants that serve delicious sea food fresh from the waters.

How do you get around Philipsburg?

Philipsburg is small enough to be covered entirely by foot, which is the desirable option considering the stunning scenery.


Gustavia Guide

Gustavia Ferry Port

On the warm western coast of Saint Barthélemy, a French-owned island in the West Indies more commonly known as St Barts, is the port town of Gustavia. Named after King Gustav III of Sweden who was granted the town in the 1700’s in exchange for French trading access to Gothenburg, Gustavia has become a fashionable summer destination blessed with a year-round tropical climate. The town is built in a horse-shoe arc that surrounds a rectangular bay of the Caribbean Sea. It’s collection of red-roofed buildings rise and fall upon the vista of hills that mark the coast, their rough faces coloured by the deep green hues of succulent plants and palm trees. Despite its modern revival as a deluxe shopping centre of boutique clothing and jewellery stores, vestiges of the town’s historic Swedish-style architecture still remains. This includes the famous Wall House museum and the lofty ramparts of Fort Gustave that sits atop a hillside on the outskirts of the suburbs. The port of Gustavia is located by the mouth of the bay, just beside the town’s industrial zone. It’s a small facility that consists of little more than a ferry docking area and a check-in terminal staffed by multi-lingual staff. Though there are no public buses in town, the island’s only airport is just a 20-minute walk away from the harbour, with flights heading to the other islands across the West Indies. Taxi services regularly operate from outside the port too. They take passengers deeper into town along the Rue de la Republique and towards the beautiful stretches of gold-sand beaches that line the crystalline shallows of the sea. Three passenger routes currently leave from the port a number of times throughout the week. Voyager line ferries sail the short distance north to the towns of Marigot and Oyster Pond on the island of Saint-Martin, while another daily service hosted by Great Bay Express travels to Philipsburg. All of these routes skirt the cliff-lined shores of St Barts’ north-eastern peninsula before skimming across the deep-blue waters of Saint-Barthelemy Channel.

Philipsburg to Gustavia
Ferry Timetables

Ferry Timetables between 13/10/2025 and 19/10/2025

Operator Departure Time Arrival Time Duration Sailing Days
Great Bay Express 07:15 08:00 45 minutes Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
Great Bay Express 09:45 10:30 45 minutes Everyday
Great Bay Express 17:30 18:15 45 minutes Everyday

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