How do I get to St. Thomas by ferry?

Most visitors fly into Cyril E. King Airport (STT) on St. Thomas. If you're coming from the BVI by ferry, you'll arrive at either the Red Hook terminal (from West End, Tortola) or the Charlotte Amalie terminal (from Road Town, Tortola). Ferries from St. John arrive at Red Hook, Charlotte Amalie, or Crown Bay depending on the operator.

Do I need a passport to visit St. Thomas?

No, if you're a US citizen or resident. St. Thomas is part of the US Virgin Islands — no passport is required for travel from the US mainland or between USVI islands. A passport is needed only if you're arriving from the BVI or another country.

How long is the ferry to St. Thomas?

Ferry times to St. Thomas vary by route: about 20 minutes from Cruz Bay, St. John; 30–45 minutes from Tortola; and about 90 minutes from St. Croix.

What is there to do on St. Thomas?

St. Thomas offers duty-free shopping in Charlotte Amalie, Magens Bay Beach, parasailing and water sports at Coki Beach, the Skyride to Paradise Point for panoramic views, and a wide range of dining and nightlife options.

How much does the ferry to St. Thomas cost?

Ferry fares to St. Thomas vary by operator and route. One-way adult fares typically range from $7–65 depending on the route and operator. Check individual route pages on this site for current pricing from each departure point.

How to Get to St. Thomas — Ferry Routes, Schedules & Tips

Getting there

Ferry Terminals & Logistics

St. Thomas has three distinct ferry terminals, and knowing which one you need is essential for planning your trip. The Red Hook terminal on the east end of the island is the busiest, serving the frequent St. John passenger ferries, the car barge to St. John, and cross-border ferries to West End, Tortola (Native Son, Smith's Ferry, Road Town Fast Ferry), and Jost Van Dyke (Inter Island Boat Services). The Charlotte Amalie terminal downtown handles ferries to Road Town, Tortola (Road Town Fast Ferry, Native Son, Smith's Ferry), St. Croix (QE IV Ferry), and some St. John services. Crown Bay terminal, near the cruise ship dock and airport, serves select routes to St. John via Inter Island Boat Services.

From Cyril E. King Airport (STT), Charlotte Amalie is about 10 minutes by taxi ($10–12 per person), and Red Hook is about 25–30 minutes ($15–18 per person). Taxis are readily available outside the airport terminal. If you're heading to the BVI, Charlotte Amalie ferries are more convenient from the airport; if you're heading to St. John or Jost Van Dyke, Red Hook is your terminal.

No passport is needed for travel between St. Thomas and other USVI islands (St. John, St. Croix). For travel to the BVI, you'll need a valid passport and will clear BVI customs upon arrival.

STT Airport to Red Hook guide Island hopping guide

Ferry Routes to St. Thomas

From	Crossing Time	Border
Cruz Bay St. John	~45 min	Domestic	Schedule & Fares
Cruz Bay St. John	~35 min	Domestic	Schedule & Fares
Cruz Bay St. John	~20 min	Domestic	Schedule & Fares
Gallows Bay St. Croix	~90 min	Domestic	Schedule & Fares
Great Harbour Jost Van Dyke	~50 min	Passport required	Schedule & Fares
Road Town Tortola	~45 min	Passport required	Schedule & Fares
Road Town Tortola	~45 min	Passport required	Schedule & Fares
Spanish Town Virgin Gorda	~90 min	Passport required	Schedule & Fares
West End Tortola	~30 min	Passport required	Schedule & Fares

Ferry Routes from St. Thomas

To	Crossing Time	Border
Cruz Bay St. John	~20 min	Domestic	Schedule & Fares
Cruz Bay St. John	~45 min	Domestic	Schedule & Fares
Cruz Bay St. John	~35 min	Domestic	Schedule & Fares
Gallows Bay St. Croix	~90 min	Domestic	Schedule & Fares
Great Harbour Jost Van Dyke	~50 min	Passport required	Schedule & Fares
Road Town Tortola	~45 min	Passport required	Schedule & Fares
Road Town Tortola	~45 min	Passport required	Schedule & Fares
Spanish Town Virgin Gorda	~90 min	Passport required	Schedule & Fares
West End Tortola	~30 min	Passport required	Schedule & Fares

Getting to St. Thomas by Air

Cyril E. King Airport (STT) is the main airport, receiving direct flights from the US mainland, Puerto Rico, and other Caribbean islands. The airport is about 10 minutes from Charlotte Amalie and 25 minutes from Red Hook by taxi.

On the island

What to Expect on St. Thomas

St. Thomas is the most developed and busiest of the Virgin Islands, with a mix of Caribbean charm and American convenience. It's also one of the busiest cruise ship ports in the Caribbean — on peak days, multiple ships can bring upwards of 25,000 guests to the island, and popular spots like Charlotte Amalie and Magens Bay get very crowded. Check the BVI Cruise Ship Schedule for real-time ship tracking and crowd levels.

Charlotte Amalie's Main Street is a major duty-free shopping destination. Magens Bay on the north shore is regularly ranked among the world's best beaches, though it fills up fast on cruise ship days. For a quieter beach experience, head to Coki Beach on the east end — great snorkeling and a more local vibe — or Brewers Bay near the airport.

For most ferry travelers, St. Thomas is a transit point — either the start of a trip to the BVI, a launching pad for St. John day trips, or the arrival point after island hopping. Some visitors rent a villa and use St. Thomas as a base for day trips by ferry. The island is also a pickup point for some yacht charters, with marinas at Red Hook (American Yacht Harbor) and Charlotte Amalie. The island's well-connected ferry network makes it the natural hub for exploring the entire Virgin Islands region.

At a glance

Ferry routes: 18
Crossing time: 20–90 min
Territory: USVI
Passport: Required

Tips for Visiting St. Thomas

If you're catching a BVI-bound ferry, arrive at the terminal at least 30 minutes early for check-in and ticketing.

Taxi fares are per person, not per vehicle. Rates are posted at the airport and terminals.

Red Hook has restaurants and shops within walking distance of the terminal — useful if you have a wait between ferries.

Charlotte Amalie can be very congested on cruise ship days. Allow extra travel time if multiple ships are in port.

The VI Transit bus (VITRAN) runs between Charlotte Amalie and Red Hook for $1, but it's slow and infrequent. Taxis are more reliable for ferry connections.

Common Questions About Getting to St. Thomas

How do I get to St. Thomas by ferry?: Most visitors fly into Cyril E. King Airport (STT) on St. Thomas. If you're coming from the BVI by ferry, you'll arrive at either the Red Hook terminal (from West End, Tortola) or the Charlotte Amalie terminal (from Road Town, Tortola). Ferries from St. John arrive at Red Hook, Charlotte Amalie, or Crown Bay depending on the operator.
Do I need a passport to visit St. Thomas?: No, if you're a US citizen or resident. St. Thomas is part of the US Virgin Islands — no passport is required for travel from the US mainland or between USVI islands. A passport is needed only if you're arriving from the BVI or another country.
How long is the ferry to St. Thomas?: Ferry times to St. Thomas vary by route: about 20 minutes from Cruz Bay, St. John; 30–45 minutes from Tortola; and about 90 minutes from St. Croix.
Is there an airport on St. Thomas?: Cyril E. King Airport (STT) is the main airport, receiving direct flights from the US mainland, Puerto Rico, and other Caribbean islands. The airport is about 10 minutes from Charlotte Amalie and 25 minutes from Red Hook by taxi.
What is there to do on St. Thomas?: St. Thomas offers duty-free shopping in Charlotte Amalie, Magens Bay Beach, parasailing and water sports at Coki Beach, the Skyride to Paradise Point for panoramic views, and a wide range of dining and nightlife options.
How much does the ferry to St. Thomas cost?: Ferry fares to St. Thomas vary by operator and route. One-way adult fares typically range from $7–65 depending on the route and operator. Check individual route pages on this site for current pricing from each departure point.