If you’re planning a trip to St. John, you’ll most likely start your journey from St. Thomas. If you’re traveling from St. Croix, you have two options:
- A ~20-minute flight: Several smaller airlines operate this route, including Cape Air, Fly The Whale, and Seaborne Airlines (Silver Airways). Cape Air has alliances with United Airlines. Seaborne Airlines does too in that Silver Airways also has an alliance with United Airlines.
- A ~2-hour passenger ride.
Personally, I typically fly with Fly The Whale, though I’ve also used Cape Air. I’ve never used Silver Airways to get to St. Thomas, though I often use them to travel from St. Croix to San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Getting from St. Thomas to St. John
Once in St. Thomas, there are a couple of options to reach St. John without needing a private or chartered boat:
- Passenger ferry
- Car ferry
Depending on your plans in St. John, you can choose the best option. I prefer renting a car in St. Thomas and taking the car ferry to St. John. This allows me to have a vehicle for getting around both islands.
Passenger Ferry
If you choose the passenger ferry, you’ll need to take a taxi to the departure point. From there, you can purchase your ticket and head over to St. John quickly.
- Current rates:
- $8.15 per person (unless you’re a USVI resident, then it’s $6)
- Children (ages 2-11): $1
- Bags: One small bag is free (must fit in your lap). Larger bags cost $4 per bag.
- Online booking is available at stjohnticketing.com, but note that a service fee applies.
Car Ferry
If you opt for the car ferry, you’ll go to the same general location but use a separate entrance. Instead of entering a parking garage, you’ll get in line for the Red Hook Car Ferry entrance. A $4 port fee is required upon entry.
Once in line, you’ll be directed to an embarkation lane. While not required, most drivers choose to back onto the ferry. Once onboard, an employee will collect payment and provide a receipt. If purchasing a roundtrip ticket, you’ll receive a return slip, which must be presented for your return journey. Note: a roundtrip is less expensive than purchasing two one-way tickets.
- Car ferry rates:
- $65 per car for a roundtrip ticket
- Online payments incur a service fee.
- Recommended arrival time: At least one hour before your intended departure.
- Ferry duration: About 20 minutes to Cruz Bay, St. John.
- Operators:
- Schedules:
- Big Red Barge schedule
- Love City schedule
Exploring St. John
Once you arrive in St. John, it’s time to explore! If you need a quick pick-me-up, swing by Downtown Sips for a coffee before heading out.
Beaches
You can’t visit St. John without spending time at the beach. Some of my favorites include:
- Trunk Bay – Requires an entry fee but is absolutely stunning.
- Cinnamon Bay – A beautiful, serene option.
- Maho Bay – Another great beach, known for its calm waters.
Dining Options
For lunch, I recommend:
- Johnny Lime – Great casual dining.
- Surf Club Cantina – Try The Great Tahuna sandwich—it’s delicious!
Shopping
If you’re in the mood to browse, check out Mongoose Junction (mongoosejunctionstjohn.com). Some of my favorite shops there are:
St. John is a true gem of the USVI, and whether you’re there for a day trip or a longer stay, you’re bound to have an amazing experience!
