The island's traffic comes from three things: the sheer number of cars, the variable quality of the roads, and a remarkable variety of driving skills. The biggest scheduled disruption, though, is the conflict between yachts and cars at Simpson Bay Lagoon, home to some of the Caribbean's most impressive mega-yachts.
Bridge openings stop traffic
Three movable bridges let boats in and out of the lagoon, halting traffic on Airport Road several times a day. In winter season, a single opening for a large yacht can take up to 15 minutes.
Approximate Dutch-side opening times
- Airport Road Bridge — outbound 08:30, inbound 09:30, then 10:30 out, 11:30 in, 15:00 in, 16:00 out, 17:00 in.
- Causeway Bridge — 08:00, 10:00, 15:30.
- A smaller drawbridge at Sandy Ground serves the French side.
Rush hour — especially late afternoon — is real, so allow extra time even for short trips (or wait it out at a happy-hour bar). And please pass potholes and speed bumps gently: careful drivers are how we keep our rates low.
Reserve a clean, late-model car with VIP airport meet & greet.