North America > 🇧🇶Saba
Should You Hire a Car in Saba? This can be broken down into two similar questions - do you need a car in Saba (in other words, will your holiday be ruined without one), and is it worth hiring a car in Saba - i.e. is a car better value than using public transport? We'll weigh up both questions and give you a response generated by Chat GPT, together with our own curated opinion before finally giving a yes or no verdict at the end.
Tiny, dramatic, and utterly unique — Saba is one of the Caribbean’s best-kept secrets. This Dutch territory, just 13 km² in size, rises steeply from the sea like a volcanic pyramid. Its single road, “The Road That Couldn’t Be Built,” winds through cloud forests and charming villages perched on cliffs.
🚗 Should You Rent a Car in Saba?
In most cases, no — you don’t need a car in Saba. The island is so small and steep that driving adds little convenience compared to walking or taking a taxi. The main settlements — The Bottom, Windwardside, and Zion’s Hill (Hell’s Gate) — are all connected by the same 14 km stretch of paved road.
Taxis are available at the airport and in Windwardside, and they can take you anywhere you need to go within minutes. Many visitors simply walk between villages, especially since the scenery is spectacular and the roads are quiet.
🛣️ Driving Realities
If you do decide to rent a car — usually a small 4×4 — expect narrow, twisting roads with sharp drop-offs and limited parking. Fuel is available in Windwardside, but driving here is for confident and cautious drivers only. The road is safe, but it’s steep and winding, with gradients that can exceed 20%.
🚶♂️ Getting Around Without a Car
Saba is a paradise for hikers. The island’s trails are exceptionally well maintained, including:
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Mount Scenery Trail 🌋 – The most famous route, climbing to the highest point in the entire Kingdom of the Netherlands (887 m).
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Sandy Cruz Trail – A ridge walk with jaw-dropping ocean views.
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The Ladder – A historic stone staircase once used to haul goods from the sea up to The Bottom.
Because distances are short, most visitors use walking, taxis, or guided hikes to get around.
✈️ Arrival and Access
Saba’s airport, Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport (SAB), has one of the world’s shortest commercial runways — only 400 metres long! ✈️ Flights from Sint Maarten (SXM) take about 15 minutes, and ferries also operate between the two islands.
Car rental, if needed, can be arranged through small local operators, but most travellers find it’s unnecessary and adds cost without much benefit.
🧭 Summary — Should You Rent a Car in Saba?
Why you might:
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If you’re staying for a week and want flexibility for short scenic drives.
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For travellers with limited mobility on steep terrain.
Why you shouldn’t:
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The island is tiny and perfect for walking.
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Roads are steep, narrow, and not for nervous drivers.
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Taxis and hiking trails cover nearly every need.
🚫 Conclusion:
You don’t need a car in Saba. The island’s beauty lies in slowing down — walking through misty forests, chatting with locals, and soaking up the views from a quiet trail. On this little Caribbean mountain, the best way to explore is on foot, not behind a wheel 🏔️🚶♀️
