Martinique Taxis | martinique-guide.info

While on many islands throughout the Caribbean, taxis are a fairly inexpensive means of travel, Martinique is part of the group of islands at the other end of this spectrum. Taxi collectifs are another option for travelers who don't plan to rent their own car.

Standard Taxis

Many travelers may be relieved to know that Martinique's taxi drivers are required by law to have a working meter in their car. This means that vacationers won't find themselves having to haggle for the best price to their final destination. It can also help to determine if you've entered the car of an unlicensed taxi driver - if they quote you a flat fee and do not start the meter, get out of their car.

It is regulated that city buses may not come to the airport, so travelers are given two options for the journey to their hotel: rental car or taxi. Travelers arriving after 8:00 p.m. and before 6:00 a.m. may find it less expensive to rent a car for the night than to take the taxi from the airport to their hotel, since a 40 percent surcharge is added to taxi fares after this time. Remember to tip taxi drivers a rate of approximately 15 percent of the fare.

Fares are fairly standard from location to location. Standard fare from the airport to the these locations is as follows:

To	Cost
Pointe du Bout hotels	39? to 42, $47(USD) to $51(USD)*
Fort-de-France	15? to 30? $18(USD) to $36(USD)*
Les Trois-Ilets	32? $38(USD)

Guided tours can be an interesting way to see the island, but locations are often chosen at the driver's discretion. These can run from approximately 45, to 48, per hour - $55(USD) to $58(USD) per hour.*

*Taxi fares are quoted in euros, and, because the currency is not fixed to the U.S. dollar, these conversion rates are only guidelines. Remember to check the current conversion when you plan to travel.

There are several taxi services in Martinique. Travelers looking for a taxi ride can call any of the following companies for service:

Company	Phone Number
Radio Taxi	596-596-63-63-62 596-596-63-10-10
Martinique Taxi	0596-63-63-62
M. Marital Mercedes Taxis	0596-64-20-24 0696-45-69-07 (cell)

Taxi Collectifs

Taxi collectifs are another way for travelers to take a taxi - however, these taxis are multiple-passenger carriers and are often considered to be grouped with buses. Easily identifiable, these transports are marked with a TC on their license plates. They can carry 8 or 9 passengers, and depart from downtown Fort-de-France, the Pointe Simon terminal.

Though these taxis only operate during the daytime - they call it quits at 6:00 p.m. - they can provide travelers with a much less expensive way to traverse the island. A standard fare from Fort-de-France to St. Anne will cost travelers about 5?, $6(USD).

Vacationers should remember that, though they're less expensive, they're usually not very comfortable. Taxi collectifs can be very crowded. They also do not run on set schedules, so it can be difficult to find one outside the main terminal. However, they will surely get you wherever you need to go.

One more unique aspect about Martinique's taxis, is that travelers may find themselves in the lap of luxury for the duration of the ride. While some taxis are just standard cars, 80% are said to be Mercedes-Benz autos. And, while some collectifs are simply minivans, used for mass transit, many others are limousines.

Even Martinique's taxis show their combination of French roots and Caribbean flair.

Bikes and Mopeds

Visitors who rent bikes and scooters often find that getting around Martinique is as easy as it is fun.