Martinique: arrival and transport
What’s the best way to get to Martinique?
There is hardly a visitor from Europe who does not arrive by plane.
By plane
Air France flies direct from Paris to Martinique. From Germany you land at Charles de Gaulle airfield; the transfer to Paris-Orly airport, where the plane leaves for Martinique, takes three hours. Air France gives you a voucher for the bus transfer, otherwise a fee of around 15 euros has to be paid.
www.airfrance.com/de
The international Aéroport le Lamentin is 10 km from Fort-de-France. There are currency exchange and hotel reservation facilities, rental car companies, tourist information, etc. in the airport. There is no public transport to Fort-de-France. A taxi to Fort-de-France costs around 30 euros.
Phone: 00596- 596- 421- 600
By ship
In addition to the cruise ships, Martinique is regularly served by the L’Express des Iles ferry line. There are ferry connections from Guadeloupe, Dominica and St. Lucia.
Travel in the country
Air connections Numerous airlines operate on Martinique:
Liat
Tel. 00596- 596- 421 602
www.liatairline.com
Air Martinique
Tel: 00596- 596- 411660
Air Liberté
Tel: 00596- 596- 425 051
Nouevelles Frontiéres-Corsair
Tel: 00596- 596- 705 970
AOM French Lines
Tel: 00596- 596- 700 916
Bus
Since there are no public buses outside of Fort-de-France, it is advisable to take the so-called Taxi-Collectif. From 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. they run in a star shape between each town and Fort-de-France. The stop is in Fort-de-France at the ferry terminal.
Rail
There is no rail traffic in Martinique.
Roads
The main roads on the island are in very good condition; French
traffic regulations apply.
Rental car
Due to the lack of public buses, it is advisable to take a rental car. There are numerous rental car companies all over the island. Since the infrastructure and the condition of the roads are very good, orientation is very easy.
Notes on renting cars
The ADAC provides the following general notes on renting cars, which are also recommended in Martinique:
- All agreements should – in addition to the national language – if not in German – at least be in English
- The total rental price including all ancillary costs should be clearly recognizable
- When taking out insurance, it is important to ensure that the sum insured is at least EUR 1 million
- It is best to take out fully comprehensive insurance with no excess
- Defects in the rented vehicle should be recorded in writing
- Furthermore, the place of delivery is to be determined and how it is regulated with the tank filling at the time of delivery
Ferry connections
Between Fort-de-France and the opposite Trois Ilets peninsula, ferries run regularly. There are beautiful beaches in Anse Mitan. There are many small restaurants and shops in Point du Bout.
The ferry line L’Express des Iles regularly goes to Martinique and the neighboring islands, there are connections to and from Guadeloupe, Dominica and St. Lucia.
L ‘Express des Iles
Terminal Inter Iles
Quai Ouest
97200 Fort- de- France
Tel: 00596- 596- 831 245
www.express-des-iles.com
Traffic rules
Martinique is known to drive right-hand traffic. In order to avoid trouble with the police or even the courts, one should strictly adhere to the traffic rules applicable in the country. The maximum speeds shown can of course be reduced or increased by traffic signs. Regardless of the information given here, it is advisable to obtain detailed information from the ADAC or AvD prior to departure.
Maximum speeds
In addition to the general speed limits shown, the
speed limits indicated by signs must be strictly observed.
- in built-up areas there is a speed limit of 50 km/h
- There is a speed limit of 90 km/h on country roads
- Some special expressways have a speed limit of 90 km/h
- There is a speed limit of 120 km/h on motorways
Special regulations
A fire extinguisher must be carried in the car. A jacket or something similar with luminous colors is to be carried
Alcohol limits
In there is a limit for the blood alcohol of 0.3 per mil for the drivers of motor vehicles.
International license plate
Martinique’s international license plate is that of France: F
Martinique: Embassies and consulates
Representations of Martinique in Germany
Martinique does not have its own foreign representation, these are handled by France. The embassy in Berlin is responsible.
The embassy of the French Republic in Berlin is located on Pariser Platz – in the immediate vicinity of the Brandenburg Gate. The embassy stands on the same ground that the previous representative office was on until it was destroyed in 1945. It should be mentioned that the property has been owned by the French state since 1860. After reunification, it was returned to France. The building was built in 1997 based on plans by the Parisian architect Christian de Portzamparc.
Embassy of the French Republic in Berlin
Pariser Platz 5
10117 Berlin
Tel: 0049 – (0) 30 – 590 03 90 00
Fax: 0049 – (0) 30 – 590 03 91 10
Email: kanzlei@botschaft-frankreich.de
Web: www. botschaft-frankreich.de
German representations in Martinique
Embassy
The Federal Republic of Germany does not have its own embassy in Martinique. The embassy in Paris is responsible (see here >>>).
German Honorary Consulate in Lamentin
c/o ETS Blandin, Center Acajou, ZI Les Mangles
97232 Lamentin
Tel: 00596 – 596 – 42 79 21
Fax: 00596 – 596 – 50 98 94
Email: consul.allemagne@ecb.gp
Austrian representations in Martinique
Embassy
The Federal Republic of Austria does not have its own embassy in Martinique.
The embassy in Paris is responsible (see here >>>).
Representations of Martinique in Austria
Embassy
Martinique does not have its own diplomatic mission abroad; France is responsible for this.
The embassy in Vienna is responsible (see here >>>).
Swiss representations in Martinique
Embassy
Switzerland does not have its own embassy in Martinique.
The embassy in Paris is responsible (see here >>>).
Swiss Consulate in Lamentin
Center d’Affaires de Californie II
Entrée Amandine
97232 Le Lamentin
Martinique
Tel: 00596 – 596 – 50 12 43
Fax: 00596 – 596 – 50 22 27
Email: plh.martinique@wanadoo.fr
Representations of Martinique in Switzerland
Embassy
Martinique does not have its own diplomatic mission abroad; France is responsible for this.
The embassy in Bern is responsible (see here >>>).
Martinique: entry and exit regulations
Formalities, visas
Since Martinique is part of France and therefore part of the EU, no passport is required; you can take your normal ID card with you to enter the country.
Import and export of foreign currency
The official currency in Martinique is the euro, which can be imported and exported in unlimited amounts.
Departure fee
In many countries, a fee must be paid when leaving the country. The departure fee is already included in the flight ticket.
Import and export of goods
The import and export of weapons, ammunition or explosives is strictly prohibited. In addition, the import and export of plants and animals protected under the Washington Species Protection Act is prohibited. Violation can result in severe penalties.
Vaccination regulations
All persons who are older than 1 year and who come from a yellow fever infection area designated by the WHO are required to be vaccinated against an illness with yellow fever. There are no other vaccination regulations when entering or staying in the country
Martinique: Motion sickness and vaccinations
Infectious diseases
The following infectious diseases can be expected in Martinique:
- Malaria, there is no risk of malaria in the country.
- AIDS, there is a risk of HIV infection for people who come into contact with blood or non-sterilized syringes, or who have unprotected sex
- Schistosomiasis
- Cholera, an infection risk only exists for travelers who can come into contact with contaminated water or contaminated food
- Intestinal infections from contaminated food or water, including amoeba, lamblia, salmonella, shigella and worm infestation, as well as all kinds of viruses and bacteria
- Hepatitis A and B, an infection with hepatitis B, is only to be expected in people who can come into contact with blood or in those who seek sexual contact.
Recommended vaccinations
when traveling to Martinique, the following vaccinations recommended:
- Cholera, but only among travelers who can come into contact with polluted water or contaminated food
- Diphtheria, a vaccination against diphtheria should always exist in your home country
- Hepatitis A and B, vaccination against hepatitis B, is only required for people who may come into contact with blood or for those who seek sexual contact.
- Polio, polio, vaccination against polio should basically always consist in the home country
- Tetanus, a vaccination against tetanus should always exist in the home country
Compulsory vaccination
for visitors of Martinique There are no vaccination
Martinique: Currency and Shopping
The local currency of Martinique is the euro
1 euro = 100 cents.
The following banknotes are – as everywhere in the euro area – valid in the country and in circulation:
- 5
- 10
- 20th
- 50
- 100
- 200
- 500 euro
Bank opening hours
- Monday-Friday: 7:30 am/8:00 am-:00 pm; 2: 00-4: 00 p.m.
- Saturday: sometimes on Saturday mornings
Shop
Shop opening times
Monday-Friday: 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. 2.30 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m. – 12.30 p.m.
Some large supermarkets are open continuously until 9 p.m. and also on Saturday afternoons.
Cheap or country-specific goods, souvenirs
Nice souvenirs are woven and wicker goods, ceramics and calypso and zouk instruments and the corresponding CD’s. There are also creole dolls, the famous Caribbean rum, flowers, spices and local art. In Fort de France there are small boutiques with goods from all French designers, the Galeria La Fayette department store, as well as a large fruit and vegetable market and a fish market.
