Getting to St. John: The Complete Ferry Guide
St. John doesn't have an airport. That's part of what keeps it special. To get here, you'll fly into St. Thomas (STT) and take a ferry across the Pillsbury Sound. It sounds complicated, but it's actually straightforward once you know the options. Here's everything you need to know.
Step 1: Fly Into St. Thomas (STT)
The Cyril E. King Airport (STT) on St. Thomas receives direct flights from many US cities including Miami, Atlanta, Charlotte, New York, and Philadelphia. Flight times range from 3.5 to 5 hours depending on origin. Book early for better fares, especially during peak season (December through April).
Step 2: Get to the Ferry Dock
From the airport, you have two ferry options:
Option A: Red Hook (Recommended)
Red Hook is on the east end of St. Thomas, about a 25-30 minute taxi ride from the airport. The ferry from Red Hook to Cruz Bay, St. John runs every hour on the hour from 6 AM to midnight. The crossing takes about 20 minutes. This is the most reliable and frequent route.
Why Red Hook: More frequent departures, shorter crossing, runs later at night. The taxi from the airport costs about $15 per person and takes 25 minutes.
Option B: Charlotte Amalie
The ferry from downtown Charlotte Amalie is closer to the airport (10-15 minutes by taxi) but runs less frequently. The crossing takes about 45 minutes. Good option if you arrive mid-morning and want to minimize travel time, but check the schedule in advance.
Ferry Schedules (Approximate)
| Route | First Departure | Last Departure | Frequency | Duration | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red Hook → Cruz Bay | 6:00 AM | 12:00 AM | Hourly | 20 min | $8-10 |
| Cruz Bay → Red Hook | 5:30 AM | 11:30 PM | Hourly | 20 min | $8-10 |
| Charlotte Amalie → Cruz Bay | 9:00 AM | 5:00 PM | 3x daily | 45 min | $12-15 |
Schedules change seasonally. Check current schedules at vitransit.org before your trip.
Bringing a Rental Car on the Ferry
If you rent a car on St. Thomas, you can bring it to St. John on the car barge. This runs separately from the passenger ferry and has a different schedule.
- Car barge from Red Hook: Runs roughly every hour from 7 AM to 7 PM. Check current schedule.
- Cost: About $50-60 round trip for the vehicle. Passengers pay separately.
- Tip: Not all rental companies allow their cars on the car barge. Confirm when booking.
Local tip: You can also rent a car on St. John after you arrive. There are several rental agencies in Cruz Bay. This avoids the car barge hassle entirely and supports local businesses.
Taxi Service on St. Thomas
Taxis from the airport to Red Hook are plentiful and don't require reservations. They operate on a flat-rate per-person basis (about $15 to Red Hook, $12 to Charlotte Amalie). Look for licensed taxis with "TP" plates. Most are open-air safari trucks, which is part of the island experience.
Arriving in Cruz Bay, St. John
The ferry docks in Cruz Bay, the main town on St. John. From here, taxis can take you to your villa. If you've booked with us, we'll provide detailed directions to your villa from the ferry dock. The drive to most villas takes 10-30 minutes depending on location.
What to Know Before You Go
- Bring cash for ferry tickets and taxis. Some accept cards but not all.
- Pack light if possible. Handling luggage on the ferry is easier with fewer bags.
- Check weather before traveling. Rough seas can cause delays or cancellations.
- Plan for 90 minutes from landing at STT to arriving in Cruz Bay under normal conditions.
- Rent a car on St. John if you want to explore. Taxis are available but a car gives you freedom to visit remote beaches and trails.
Need Help Planning Your Arrival?
We help all our guests coordinate their arrival. Contact us before your trip and we'll walk you through the best route based on your flight times and villa location. We can also arrange airport pickup and car rentals on St. John.