Transportation on St. Thomas: A Visitor Guide

Arrivals

St. Thomas is small on a map and slower in practice. The main road bends across ridges, past the cruise piers, and around one very busy downtown. This is a plain guide to getting around the island, with the local knowledge that saves an afternoon. GrandArrival has been driving these roads for more than twenty years, and this page is what we tell our own guests before they arrive.

Arriving at Cyril E. King Airport

Cyril E. King Airport, code STT, is the only commercial airport on St. Thomas. It sits on the south side of the island, about a mile and a half west of Crown Bay Dock and roughly 4.2 miles west of the Havensight cruise pier.

Arrival is straightforward. After you leave the aircraft, walk down a covered ramp to baggage claim, collect your bags, and step outside to the designated passenger pickup area, where GrandArrival meets you. We can hold a personalized name sign, which makes us easy to spot on a first visit, and we monitor arrivals through the day so a late flight never strands you. Our airport transfers from Cyril E. King carry flat published rates with luggage included. If you are traveling with children, ask for a booster or infant seat when you book so it is in the vehicle waiting for you.

Drives

Typical drives from Cyril E. King Airport

Distances on St. Thomas are short, but the roads decide the pace. In peak cruise weeks and through the December to April high season, add extra time for anything that passes through downtown.

• Crown Bay Cruise Dock: about 1.5 miles, just minutes from the runway.
• Charlotte Amalie town center: about 2.5 miles along the harbor, roughly 10 to 15 minutes by car.
• Havensight and the West Indian Company Dock: about 4.2 miles on the Waterfront Highway.
• Bolongo Bay: about 5 miles down the south shore, roughly 20 minutes.
• Magens Bay: about 6 miles over the ridge, a climb with a famous view near the top.
• Red Hook and the St. John ferry: about 12 miles, roughly 30 to 35 minutes on the long cross island run.
• Great Bay and the East End resorts near the Ritz Carlton: about 12 miles, roughly 35 minutes.

Ferry

The Red Hook to Cruz Bay ferry

The passenger ferry between Red Hook on St. Thomas and Cruz Bay on St. John is the main link between the islands. Boats run from early morning until late at night, and the crossing itself is short. Tickets are sold at the terminal, with a small extra charge for bags, and weekend and cruise day boats fill fast, so arrive with time to spare.

The terminal on the St. Thomas side is the Urman Victor Fredericks Marine Terminal in Red Hook. On the St. John side, boats dock at the Loredon Lawrence Boynes Sr. Dock in Cruz Bay. Schedules can shift with weather and season, so confirm with the operator on the day you travel. Our full guide to getting to St. John covers the crossing step by step.

Local

What a visitor should know

• Driving is on the left. The U.S. Virgin Islands drive on the left side of the road, though most vehicles are American style with the wheel on the left. Rental cars work, but the combination catches many visitors off guard on day one.
• Roads are narrow and steep. Even short drives take longer than a map suggests. Trust local drive times, not GPS.
• Cruise days shape traffic. When several ships are in port, downtown Charlotte Amalie slows dramatically through the middle of the day. Plan around it.
• The island has two cruise piers. Havensight is closer to downtown, Crown Bay is closer to the airport. Confirm which one your ship uses, and see our cruise port transportation at Havensight and Crown Bay for pier day plans.
• Taxis are regulated. Official St. Thomas taxi rates are set per person by a tariff sheet, with luggage charges beyond the first bag. For a couple on a single quick ride, a taxi is fine. For families, evenings, or multi stop days, private transportation is often the better value and always the smoother ride.

Answers

Good to know

Do I need a passport to visit St. Thomas?

No. The U.S. Virgin Islands are a U.S. territory, so U.S. citizens do not need a passport to enter. Check current requirements before you travel if your trip starts or ends outside the United States.

Is Uber or Lyft available on St. Thomas?

Ride share apps are not reliably available on St. Thomas. Ground transportation is handled by taxis and private services. Book a private ride ahead if you want to avoid uncertainty.

How long is the drive from Cyril E. King Airport to Red Hook?

Plan on about 30 to 35 minutes for the long cross island run. Traffic through Charlotte Amalie sets the pace, so it moves quicker in light traffic and slows noticeably on busy cruise days. We quote honest timing when you book and build in a cushion.

How much does the ferry to St. John cost?

Fares are set by the ferry operators and are modest, with a small extra charge for bags. Tickets are sold at the Red Hook terminal. Ferry tickets are not included in GrandArrival rates.

Can I be picked up at the airport if my flight arrives late at night?

Yes. GrandArrival is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Late arrivals and early departures are routine.

Reach GrandArrival at +1 (340) 227 7903 by phone or text, or email [email protected], and we will confirm your ride within a few minutes.