St. Thomas Transportation
Cyril E. King International Airport terminal in St. Thomas; photo by Lars Schmidt/Wiki Commons
Airport
Cyril E. King International Airport (STT) is the busiest airport in the USVI and one of the busiest in the eastern Caribbean. American, Delta, United, Spirit, Cape Air, JetBlue, LIAT, Silver, Air Sunshine serve STT Airport.
The 11-gate single terminal handles arrivals from Miami, Atlanta, San Juan, Dallas, New York-JFK, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, Newark, Philadelphia, Charlotte, Chicago-O’Hare, Philadelphia, Boston, Houston-Intercontinental, Newark, Washington-Dulles, Tortola and St. Croix.
STT Airport contains a restaurant, bar, gift shop, ATM duty-free store, and 3 smaller departure lounges. Passengers arriving from the mainland United States and Puerto Rico over age 18 are greeted with complimentary samples of Cruzan Rum.
In 1984, the airport was renamed in honor of the late Governor Cyril Emmanuel King, the second elected governor of the USVI.
Helicopter Ride
Get a bird’s eye view of St. Thomas, Water Island, and St. John by helicopter for awe-inspiring beauty from above. Fly over Magens Bay, Charlotte Amalie, and the lush West End of the island.
Check the helicopter company’s cancellation and time-shifting policy, in case of heavy rain or high winds.
Caribbean Buzz Helicopters
PHONE: 340-775-7335
WEBSITE: https://www.caribbean-buzz.com
Ground Transport
Taxis
Taxis can be hailed at STT Airport for a quick ride to downtown Charlotte Amalie by Mr. Nice Guy Taxi & Limousine (833-664-5466) and Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI (404-713-8430).
The Chariot cab by Goldie in St. Thomas; (c) Soul Of America
Visit for taxi pricing from Charlotte Amalie and STT Airport to various locations.
Car Rental
Rental car service is provided from STT Airport, Charlotte Amalie, and some hotels by these companies:
• L&L Jeep Rental +1 340-774-4889
• Avis +1 340-777-8888
• Budget +1 340-776-5774
• Discount +1 340-776-4858
Towns and districts in St. Thomas are interconnected by a loose system of roadways. GPS navigation is necessary for most first-time visitors driving the island. St. Thomas requires motored transportation to explore the island or a dedicated cyclist looking for challenges.
Public Transport
Consider at least one short public mini-bus ride to mingle with the locals. Public buses travel between downtown Charlotte Amalie and Red Hook every hour. The first bus from STT Airport to town is at 6 am and the last is 8 pm.
The Bus Fare is $1. The public bus system is not recommended for people on a tight schedule.
Dollar Rides are taxi drivers of safari buses outfitted with bench seating in the back. It is open air, but covered. Dollar Rides do not have signs identifying them as such, but generally run the same route as the public bus. Ask the driver where they are heading before boarding. Some drivers charge non-residents regular taxi rates.
More ground transport & tour options include:
Star Fish Tours & Taxi Service
PHONE: 340-998-6139 or 340-344-1394
WEBSITE: www.stjohnislandtours.com
A few shops also rent scooters and motorcycles on the island.
Cruise ship leaving Havensight Pier in Charlotte Amalie Harbor; (c) Soul Of America
Cruise Port
Major Cruise Lines
The roster of Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Carnival, Holland America, Norwegian, Disney, Cunard, Windstar, MSC, Silversea, and Princess cruise lines make St. Thomas a popular cruise destination. Depending on the cruise line and season, ships dock at Havensight Pier or at Crown Bay. Each terminal is a short taxi ride to downtown Charlotte Amalie.
The Havensight Pier can host 3 docked ships at a time. If more than six ships call on St. Thomas in one day, late arriving ships could be anchored in the harbor. Tenders would then take you to downtown Charlotte Amalie.
Around Havensight Pier, you’ll see dozens of shops, ranging from to cheap to upscale boutiques. Within Havensight Mall, you’ll find a post office, ATMs, and a pharmacy. Yacht Haven Grande Marina is within walking distance of the Havensight Pier. Avis and Budget rental offices are nearby as well.
BVI Connection Water Taxi
Ferry service from St. Thomas to St. John is available from Havensight Pier in Charlotte Amalie and from the eastern port of Red Hook. People staying on the eastern end of the island typically prefer the shorter ferry ride from Red Hook to Cruz Bay on St. John. That trip costs $6 each way, takes 15-20 minutes, and runs hourly from 6 am to midnight.
VITRAN Ferry in St. Thomas to St. John, USVI; credit Calettso2/Wiki Commons
The longer ferry route from Charlotte Amalie to Cruz Bay on St. John costs $12 each way and takes about 40 minutes. The earliest ride leaves Cruz Bay at 8:45 am and the latest returns from Charlotte Amalie to Cruz Bay at 5:30 pm.
PHONE: 284-343-7276
Road Town Fast Ferry
The fastest way to transfer between Charlotte Amelie, St. Thomas, and Road Town, Tortola only takes 50 minutes.
ADDRESS: Edward Blyden Marine Terminal Veterans Drive Charlotte Amalie, Counter #4
PHONE: 340-777-2800
WEBSITE https://www.roadtownfastferry.com