Hertz St Barth Car Rentals
Your keys to the island the moment you clear the runway
Why Go
St Barth doesn't have Uber, taxis are scarce after dark, and buses simply don't exist — which is why the first stop for almost every visitor is a rental counter tucked inside the little terminal at Gustaf III Airport. Hertz is one of the most established operators on the island, and picking up your car here means you're driving away in the same breath you land, ready to tackle those famously steep, hairpin-tight roads that thread from Gustavia to Saline.
The Experience
The counter sits airside at Aéroport Gustaf III (SBH), the same tiny strip where St Barth's white-knuckle landings happen, so the whole rental process is intentionally quick — most transactions are wrapped up in ten to fifteen minutes and the lot is a short walk from the terminal. The fleet leans toward what actually works on this island: compact Fiat 500s, Suzuki Jimnys, Minis, and the odd Mercedes SUV if you've reserved ahead. Almost everything is automatic (a relief on the 20% grades between Colombier and Flamands), and virtually every car is a hatchback or small 4x4 because the island's roads narrow to little more than a lane in spots. Staff switch effortlessly between French and English, and if you've flown in from St Maarten on a Winair puddle-jumper they're used to unlocking cars for guests who arrive well after the counter's posted hours — as long as you've told them the flight number.
What to Try
Book the smallest vehicle you're comfortable with — a Fiat 500, Mini, or Suzuki Jimny. The island's charm is its village-scale roads, and full-size SUVs become a liability the first time you try to pass an oncoming truck on the ridge above Gouverneur. If you're staying in a villa in Colombier or Petit Cul-de-Sac, ask about a soft-top or convertible; the drive back from a beach dinner at sunset is one of the great small pleasures of the island.
Insider Tip
Reserve weeks (during high season, months) in advance — St Barth's rental fleet is finite and Christmas/New Year and February regularly sell out completely. Also: fill up at the station in Lorient or the one near the airport BEFORE returning the car. There are only two gas stations on the whole island and both close by 5 or 6pm and all day Sunday, which catches out more than a few returning renters.
The Practical Stuff
Located inside the Aéroport Gustaf III (Rémy de Haenen) terminal in Saint-Jean, a two-minute walk from arrivals. Counter hours generally track flight schedules (roughly 8am–5pm, shorter on Sundays), so after-hours pickups need to be arranged in advance. You'll need a valid driver's license (an EU or US license is fine, no international permit required), a credit card in the driver's name for the deposit, and proof of your onward departure. Drive on the right, seatbelts mandatory, and note that many roads have no shoulder and no guardrail — take it slow the first day.
Pair It With
- Aéroport de Saint-Barthélemy / Rémy de Haenen Airport Guide — The rental counter is inside the terminal, so pickup and drop-off bookend every trip to the island.
- 1493 Lodges St Barth Guide — This Colombier hillside hotel is only really practical with a car — the drive up is steep and taxis are limited.
- Abyss Restaurant Guide — Like most of St Barth's best tables, it's tucked away from Gustavia's center and effectively requires wheels for the evening.
- Absolute Hot Yoga Guide — A quick drive into Gustavia from anywhere on the island — easy morning stop before heading to the beach.
