Island stories / Getting around, island by island
Getting Around the U.S. Virgin Islands
Ferry to St. John, rent a car on St. Croix, or get around by taxi? Start with where you’re staying and the places you want to see.
The short answer
Start with your island
A stay near Cruz Bay calls for a different plan than a villa in Coral Bay or a week exploring St. Croix. On St. Thomas, think about the airport, your hotel and the ferry terminal you need. St. John has no airport, so getting there includes a boat trip. For Water Island, plan both the Crown Bay crossing and how you’ll get around after you arrive. Before booking, check the service and price with the company you’ll be using.
Driving
Traffic keeps left. Before leaving the rental lot, get comfortable with the car and ask about anything unfamiliar.
Arriving on St. Thomas
Check the name of your airport pickup point, cruise port or ferry terminal. They are different places.
Travelling with a group
Tell the driver how many people and bags you have, and ask about child seats or help getting in and out.
Getting around shapes the kind of island day you can have. A beach afternoon with one taxi ride each way leaves room to linger. A day that includes a ferry, several beaches and dinner across the island takes more arranging. Start with where you’re sleeping, choose the stops you care about most, and work out the ride home before adding anything else.
01
Match the ride to the island
On St. Thomas, a taxi or private transfer can be useful for airport arrivals, ferry trips and evenings out. A rental car gives you more freedom if you want to visit several areas during your stay. Be specific when arranging a ride: the airport to Red Hook is a different trip from Crown Bay to Charlotte Amalie, and an evening pickup needs its own agreement.
On St. John, staying near Cruz Bay can make a short visit without a car more manageable. Plan selected North Shore beach outings around taxis, with a pickup arranged for the way back. Coral Bay lodging, late dinners and several cross-island trips call for a closer look at a rental car or a driver.
On St. Croix, map the places you want to visit before choosing between taxis and a rental. Christiansted, Frederiksted, the airport and beaches around the island can make for a lot of separate rides. A rental offers flexibility; a prearranged driver may suit you better if you would rather not drive on the left.
For Water Island, think beyond the ferry. Decide whether walking suits your group or whether you need to reserve a local ride, then check the return crossing before settling on the day’s plans.
02
Choose the return ferry before filling the day
It’s easy to focus on getting to the next island and leave the trip back until later. Look at both directions first, especially when you have a flight, cruise departure or pickup to make afterward.
Use the ferry page to find your route and the operator’s website. Check the timetable for your travel date, service notices, fares and how early to arrive. A published departure does not tell you whether today’s boat is running or whether there is room on board.
If you’re carrying several bags or need boarding assistance, ask the operator before you travel. If missing the intended return would leave you stranded, settle on a backup you can actually use. Don’t count on a last-minute private boat or an available hotel room.
03
Make room for everyone, including the bags
When you arrange a pickup, give the driver the passenger count and the number of bags. Ask whether the vehicle can take both together, where you’ll meet and what the trip costs. For children, agree on the child-seat arrangements rather than assuming a seat will be waiting.
If someone uses a wheelchair or walker, has difficulty with steps, or needs help boarding, describe what they need. Ask about the actual vehicle or boat for your trip, not just whether the company offers an accessible service in general.
For a larger group, keep the pickup details in one message everyone can find. Leave extra time before a flight, ferry or ship departure, particularly if the group needs more than one vehicle.
04
Leave room to enjoy the day
Check the terminal name before getting into a taxi. Look at the route from your accommodation to town before deciding to walk with luggage. Agree on the beach pickup before you’re dropped off.
If the day starts to depend on several tight connections, trim it back. Stay in one area, move the island-hopping to another day, or book a driver for the part that needs one. You can also ask a rental company about hiring a car for just part of your stay. Check availability and terms before relying on any of those options.
Your version of this day starts here.
Choose your island. Bring your own questions.
Know before you go
Before you set out
01
St. Thomas: name the terminal
Red Hook, Crown Bay and Charlotte Amalie are different places. Give your driver the exact departure point after you’ve checked the ferry service you intend to use.
02
St. John: plan beyond the dock
Passenger ferries, vehicle barges and private boats have different arrangements. Know where you’ll arrive and how you’ll reach your accommodation.
03
St. Croix: plot your stops
Mark your hotel, the airport and the places you want to visit. Then decide whether individual taxi rides, a driver or a rental makes the most sense.
What holds, and what to check
Stays true
Get your bearings
Find your arrival point, accommodation and main stops on the map before booking rides.
Check before you go
Check what’s running
Look up ferry and bus service, parking and rental availability close to your travel date. Check the published fare and any extra charges with the operator.
Ask them directly
Ask about your group
Check luggage space, child seats, boarding assistance and late pickups with the company handling your trip.
Compare these options
A closer look at your trip
Airport to St. John ↗
Plan the ride from the airport, the ferry and the last stretch to your accommodation.
St. John without a car ↗
See whether your beach, dinner and lodging plans work with walking and arranged rides.
St. Croix: rental or taxi ↗
Compare your planned stops with the convenience of a car or driver.
Water Island day trip ↗
Work out the crossing, getting around the island and the ride back.
What to confirm
Questions to ask before booking a ride
Keep the answers somewhere you can find them when you land or step off the ferry.
- Where exactly will we meet, and what date and local time is the pickup?
- Is there room for everyone and all our bags?
- Can you provide the child seat or boarding help we need?
- What is the price, how do we pay, and what are the deposit and cancellation terms?
- Can you take us to this destination and bring us back at the time we need?
- Who should we contact if our flight, ferry or plans change?
Where this came from
Check anything that matters
These are the pages this guide was written from. Schedules and opening details change faster than the rest, so open the source for anything your day depends on.
Some travel details need confirmation. Earlier operational details are withheld where a source review has expired; check the linked sources before your trip.
Visit USVI — Transportation
Official tourism context for airports, passenger ferries, and car-barge connections.
- Last checked
- Source dates
How recent is this information?
Check the linked source for its latest information before travelling.
Visit USVI — Travel Tips and FAQs
Official visitor guidance that road traffic keeps left in the USVI.
- Last checked
- Source dates
How recent is this information?
Check the linked source for its latest information before travelling.
Virgin Islands Port Authority — Airport Ground Transportation
Use the port authority as a starting point to confirm airport pickup and rental arrangements. This guide does not establish current counters, vehicles or service availability.
- Last checked
- Source dates
How recent is this information?
Original source review deadline: (expired). This is a review deadline, not a guarantee that details remain unchanged. Confirm current details before travelling.
Virgin Islands Department of Public Works — VITRAN Routes
Ask the transport authority about the route and your travel date. Earlier route information does not establish a departure or current service.
- Last checked
- Source dates
How recent is this information?
Original source review deadline: (expired). This is a review deadline, not a guarantee that details remain unchanged. Confirm current details before travelling.
Keep exploring.
Straight answers
Do I need a rental car in the USVI?
It depends on where you stay and how much you want to move around. A short stay near Cruz Bay can work with walking and arranged taxis. Several days exploring St. Croix, or a St. John stay with frequent trips beyond Cruz Bay, may be easier with a car. Map the stops and check the available rides before deciding.
How do I arrange a taxi?
Tell the provider where you’re starting, where you’re going, when you need the ride and how many people and bags are coming. Ask about the price, meeting point and return pickup. If you need a child seat or help getting into the vehicle, settle that before booking.
Can I rely on ferry times I find online?
Use them to start planning, then check the operator’s current timetable and service notices. Confirm your return too, along with fares, luggage rules and when to arrive for boarding. A timetable is not live confirmation that a boat is running or has space.
What should a family arrange before landing?
The airport pickup, space for everyone and the luggage, any child seats, and the ride to your accommodation. If you’re continuing by ferry, check that part of the trip and the pickup after it. Ask what happens if the flight is late.