St Thomas, USVI | Travel Information
General Info, Travel Info, & FAQs are provided to assist with your vacation.
CUSTOMS Visitors are allowed to bring in duty free 200 cigarettes (one carton) or 50 cigars (NOT of Cuban origin) or 2kg (4.4 lbs) of smoking tobacco or proportionate amounts of each, and visitors 21 years or older may bring in duty free one litre of alcoholic beverage (beer, wine, liquor).
For more information call the Customs Attaché or Commercial Officer at your nearest US consulate/embassy or call US Customs at 340/774-3264 (St Thomas).
Also see the section in General Info: Illegal items.
IMPORTING ANIMALS You can temporarily import your pet with a health certificate and proof of up-to-date vaccinations, including rabies.
For complete regulations contact the Director of Veterinary Medicine, United States Virgin Islands Department of Agriculture at tel 340/778-0991.
GETTING THERE BY AIR Flights arrive at Cyril E King Airport (airport code STT). Flying time is approximately 3.5 hours from New York and 2.5 hours from Miami.
Airlines that service the USVI include Air Sunshine (tel 776-7900 or 888/879-8900), American Airlines/American Eagle (tel 800/474-4884), Cape Air (tel 800/352-0714), Coastal Air Transport (tel 773-6862), Continental Airlines (800/231-0856), Delta Air Lines (tel 800/221-1212), LIAT (tel 866/549-5428 or 774-2313), Spirit Airlines (tel 800/772-7117), United Airlines (tel 800-United-1), US Airways (tel 800/622-1015) and Vieques Air Link (tel 888/901-9247 or 778-9858).
Note: The phone numbers listed above are local access numbers unless otherwise stated.
BY CRUISE The main cruise ship port in St Thomas is the West Indian Company Dock located in Havensight. A second port, Crown Bay Cruise Ship Port, is located in Subbase. As well, the Waterfront, located in the Charlotte Amalie Harbour, accommodates mini-cruise ships and cruise ship tenders.
Cruise lines that call on the USVI include Carnival Cruise Lines, Celebrity Cruises, Costa Cruises, Cruise West, Cunard Line, Disney Cruise Line, Holland America Line, Majestic Cruises, MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, P&O Cruises, Peter Deilmann Cruises, Princess Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Royal Caribbean International, Seabourn, SeaDream Yacht Club, Silversea Cruises and Windstar Cruises.
BY FERRY Ferries operate between the USVI and the British Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.
In the British Virgin Islands the main ferry terminal, West End Terminal, is located at Soper's Hole, West End on Tortola. Another terminal, the Road Town Jetty, is located in Road Town. On Virgin Gorda the Spanish Town Jetty ferry terminal is located at St Thomas Bay in Spanish Town. Note: When leaving the BVI, a departure tax of $5 is payable in addition to the fare.
On Puerto Rico the ferry terminal is located in Fajardo.
On St Thomas there are two ferry terminals: the Edward Wilmoth Blyden IV Marine Terminal in Charlotte Amalie and the Red Hook Marine Facility in Red Hook on the eastern side of the island.
Between BVI and St Thomas, USVI Francis & Lane Inter-Island Transport Services (tel 284/495-4999, Tortola; 775-4700, Red Hook) offers three daily departures aboard the Nubian Princess ferry between West End, Tortola and Red Hook, St Thomas.
Native Son (tel 284/495-4617, Tortola; 774-8685 Charlotte Amalie; 775-3111, Red Hook) operates daily trips between both Charlotte Amalie and Red Hook, St Thomas to Tortola. The round-trip fare costs $45 for adults, $35 for children 6-12 years, $40 for seniors over 65 years and $20 for children 3-5 years.
Road Town Fast Ferry/Tortola Fast Ferry (tel 284/494-2323, Tortola; 777-2800, St Thomas) operates a high-speed catamaran ferry between Road Town, Tortola and both Charlotte Amalie and Red Hook, St Thomas. The return fare is $45 for adults, $30 for kids 2-11 years and $10 for infants under one year. The one-way fare is $25 for adults, $20 for kids and $10 for infants.
Smith's Ferry Services (tel 284/494-4454, Road Town; 284/495-4495, West End; 775-7292, Charlotte Amalie) operates daily from both West End and Road Town, Tortola to both Charlotte Amalie and Red Hook, St Thomas. From West End to Charlotte Amalie the trip takes 40 minutes; from Road Town to Charlotte Amalie, 55 minutes; from West End to Red Hook, 25 minutes; and from Road Town to Red Hook, 40 minutes. The return fare is $49 for adults and $40 for children.
Speedy's & Virgin Gorda Transport (tel 284/495-5240 or 495-5235) provides service three days per week between both Tortola and Virgin Gorda, BVI and St Thomas. The service operates on Tue, Thurs and Sat. Between Virgin Gorda and St Thomas the round-trip fare is $60 for adults, $40 for children 5-11 years and $20 for infants. Between Tortola and St Thomas the round-trip fare is $45 for adults, $35 for children and $20 for infants.
Between Puerto Rico and St Thomas/St John, USVI Transportation Services of St John (tel 340/776-6282, St John) offers weekend ferry service between Fajardo, Puerto Rico and St John and St Thomas. Reservations required.
BY WATER TAXI Dohm's Water Taxi (tel 340/775-6501) offers service between all the islands in both the US Virgin Islands and British Virgin Islands.
GETTING AROUND BY CAR There are plenty of car rental agencies on the islands. Scooter, motorcycle and bicycle rentals are also available. Ensure you bring your valid driver's license from home.
Roads are paved and generally in good condition, but they can be steep and winding. They are well marked with signs.
Driving is on the left. It is mandatory to wear seat belts. Unless otherwise posted, the speed limit is 20 mph in town and 35 mph outside of town.
CAR RENTALS (country code 340) Cyril E King Airport and area: Amalie Car Rental, 774-0688; Avis, 774-1468; Dependable Car Rental, 800/522-3076 or 774-2253; First Rent-A-Car, 888/283-4778
Charlotte Amalie: Avis, 777-8888; Budget, 776-5774; Tri-Island Car Rental, 776-2879
Smith Bay and area: Bowsky Car Rentals, 779-2600; Budget, 775-2411 (Wyndham hotel) and 779-2211 (Sapphire Beach)
Elsewhere on St Thomas: Chariots Car Rental (Bournefield), 777-8400; Thrifty Car Rental (Lindberg Bay), 776-1500; Tri-Island Car Rental (Red Hook), 775-1200
BY TAXI Taxis come in all shapes and sizes, such as vans, mid-sized cars and open-air pick-up trucks with covered benches in the truck beds. Many carry eight to 12 people and operate as shared taxis, although you can negotiate a price for a private taxi. All licensed taxis follow the rules of the V I Taxi Association and have a taxi sign on the roof, taxi license plates with the letters "TP" and an "On/Off Duty" sign. The driver identification/taxi license should also be visible.
There are no taxi meters. The VI Taxicab Division sets fares, which are widely posted and should also be posted in the taxi. Rates are for one or two people based on destination. You should confirm the price with your driver before getting into the vehicle. Surcharges apply after midnight and for additional passengers. Hourly and weekly rates can also be negotiated. Island taxi tours are available in addition to standard taxi service.
Dial-a-Ride (tel 776-1277) provides transportation services and tours for people with disabilities, as well as seniors.
TAXI SERVICE Charlotte Amalie: AAA Taxi Gas, 776-5498; Allie's Taxi Stand, 777-8007; Independent Taxi Association, 774-0394; Islander Taxi & Tour Services, 774-4077
Contant: AAA Taxi Gas, 776-1006; First Class Tour & Limousine Service, 774-1980; V I Taxi Association, 774-7457
Elsewhere on St Thomas: V I Taxi Association, 776-9850 (airport), 776-9618 (Frenchman's Bay), 776-5354 (Havensight cruise port); Dore Edmond Taxi Service (Frydendahl), 771-4198 or 998-2144; Kelly's Tours (Ritz Carlton Hotel, Great Bay), 774-0428; Northside Taxi (Iver Gade), 714-4905; Quality Taxi Association (Mountain Top), 775-7137; East End Taxi Service (Red Hook), 775-6974; Air Force One Taxi Service (Rosendahl), 774-8342 or 690-8080
BY WATER TAXI Dohm's Water Taxi (tel 775-6501) offers service between all the islands.
BY FERRY The only way to get to St John or Water Island is by ferry from St Thomas; however, ferries operate between all the islands. On St Croix ferry facilities are located at the Gallows Bay Dock in Christiansted. On St John they are located at the Loredon L Boynes Sr Dock in Cruz Bay. On St Thomas there are two ferry facilities: the Edward Wilmoth Blyden IV Marine Terminal in Charlotte Amalie and the Red Hook Marine Facility in Red Hook on the eastern side of the island.
Ferries also operate from St Thomas to Puerto Rico and to Tortola in the British Virgin Islands, and from St John to Virgin Gorda, BVI. See Getting here: By ferry, above.
Between St Thomas and St Croix V I SeaTrans (tel 776-5494) operates a passenger ferry between the Marine Terminal on Veterans Dr, Charlotte Amalie and the VIPA Marine Terminal at Gallows Bay, Christiansted. The 90-minute trip operates twice daily Fri-Mon year round. The return fare is $90 for adults, $80 for children and $20 for infants and toddlers eight months to three years. The one-way fare is $50 for adults, $45 for children and $10 for infants and toddlers.
Between St Thomas and St John Varlack Ventures (tel 776-6412) operates two daily passenger ferry services between St Thomas and St John. A 20-minute trip operates hourly 6am-12 midnight between Red Hook, St Thomas and Cruz Bay, St John. A 40-minute trip operates between 7:15am and 5:30pm from downtown Charlotte Amalie to Cruz Bay.
Transportation Services of St John (tel 776-6282) and Inter-Islands Boat Services (tel 776-6597) provide ferry service between Red Hook and Cruz Bay.
Love City Car Ferries (tel 779-4000), formerly Republic Barge Service, operates the Captain Vic car ferry between Red Hook, St Thomas and Cruz Bay, St John daily between 6:15am and 7pm. The 25-minute trip costs $40 return or $26 one way for small cars and trucks, including passengers. Call for prices on other vehicles.
Boyson Inc (tel 776-6294) operates the General car ferry between Red Hook, St Thomas and Cruz Bay, St John daily between 6am and 6:30pm. The trip costs $50 return Mon-Fri and $40 on weekends, or $30 one way Mon-Fri and $25 weekends, including the vehicle and all of its passengers.
Global Marine (tel 775-6279) operates the Roanoke aka "Tuglife" car ferry between Red Hook and Cruz Bay.
Note: Passengers taking the car ferry at Red Hook must pay an additional Virgin Islands Port Authority fee of $3 for motorcycles and small-medium-sized cars and SUVs, and $4 for pick-up trucks, vans and large SUVs.
Between St Thomas and Water Island The Water Island Ferry (tel 775-5770 or 690-4159) operates daily between Crown Bay Marina, St Thomas and Phillips Landing, Water Island. The trip takes about 10 minutes and departs in front of Tickles Restaurant at the Crown Bay Marina. The fare for adults is $9 return or $5 one way, and for children, $5 return or $3 one way. It also operates a late-night service on Fri and Sat nights, but you must call to confirm in advance.
Individual ferry rates and schedules are subject to change.
BY BUS Vitran (tel 774-5678) buses operate along regularly scheduled routes on St Croix, St John and St Thomas.
BY AIR You can fly between St Thomas (Cyril E King Airport; airport code STT) and St Croix (Henry E Rohlsen International Airport; airport code STX). The flight takes about 25 minutes. St Thomas also has a Seaplane Terminal located in downtown Charlotte Amalie.
Airlines that fly between the islands include Air Sunshine (tel 776-7900 or 888/879-8900), American Eagle (tel 800/474-4884), Bohlke International Airways charters (tel 778-9177), Cape Air (tel 800/352-0714), LIAT (tel 866/549-5428; 774-2313, St Thomas; 778-9930, St Croix) and Seaborne Airlines (tel 773-6442 or 888-FLY-TOUR).
Helicopter service is also available from Air Center Helicopters (tel 775-7335) and Blue Water Aviation (tel 776-5631).
Disclaimer: Information is provided as a service to visitors and is updated regularly. All
information should be verified prior to travel.
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