Cruise ships at Havensworth Pier, St. Thomas; credit USVI Tourism
St. Thomas Transportation
Cyril E. King Airport (STT) is the busiest airport in the USVI, and one of the busiest in the eastern Caribbean. It contains a restaurant, bar, gift shop, ATM and 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. The 11-gate 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 receives service from American, Delta, United, Spirit, Cape Air, JetBlue, LIAT, Silver, Air Sunshine and more. In 1984, the airport was re-named in honor of the late Governor Cyril Emmanuel King, the second elected governor of the USVI.
Towns and districts in St. Thomas are interconnected by a loose system of roadways. GPS navigation is necessary for most first time visitors. St. Thomas requires motored transportation to explore the island or a dedicated cyclist looking for challenges. A few shops that rent scooters and motorcycles on the island.
Taxis: Can be hailed at STT Airport for quick ride to downtown Charlotte Amalie by Mr. Nice Guy Taxi & Limousine (833-664-5466) and Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI (404-713-8430). Visit this link for taxi pricing from Charlotte Amalie and STT Airport to various locations.
Car Rental 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
Consider at least one short ride on public mini-bus to mingle with the locals. Country Buses travel between downtown Charlotte Amalie and Red Hook every hour. The first bus from STT Airport to town is at 6am and the last is 8pm. Country Bus Fare $1 and City Bus $0.75. Note however, 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. The 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 options to tour the island include:
Star Fish Tours & Taxi Service
PHONE: 340-998-6139 or 340-344-1394
WEBSITE: www.stjohnislandtours.com
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. Though aerial tours are a fantastic way, check one helicopter companies cancellation to time-shifting policy, in case of rain or high winds.
Caribbean Buzz Helicopters
PHONE: 340-775-7335
WEBSITE: www.caribbean-buzz.com
Cruise Port
The large 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 your cruise line and time of year, your ship will dock at Havensight Pier, the primary dock for cruise ships, or dock 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 the expansive 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 (340-777-8888) and Budget (340-776-5774) rental offices are nearby as well.
BVI Connection Water Taxi
Ferry service is available at the small eastern port of Red Hook to reach St. John. The shortest route is Red Hook to Cruz Bay on St. John. That trip costs $6 each way, takes 20 minutes, and runs hourly 6am-Midnight. The longer ferry route from Charlotte Amalie to Cruz Bay on St. John costs $12 each way and takes 40 minutes. The earliest ride leaves Cruz Bay at 8:45am and the latest returns from Charlotte Amalie to Cruz Bay at 5:30pm.
PHONE: 284-343-7276
Road Town Fast Ferry
The fastest way to transfers 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
