How to Get to St John US Virgin Islands (2026)
Wondering how to get to St John USVI? You’re not alone!
Whether you have a day to explore or a week, there’s much to see and do. But without an airport, you can’t fly to St John USVI directly from the US or other Caribbean nations. So the question then becomes, how do you get to St. John?
It’s not difficult to get to St John, but the options can get confusing – you may be wondering what the best way to get there is.
No worries – I live in the US Virgin Islands and happen to be a pro at traveling to and from St John. Below, I’m giving you all of your options to get to the most beautiful island in USVI.
How to Get to St John from St Thomas USVI
Note: For all of these options, you must first book a flight to St Thomas’ main airport – Cyril E. King Airport (STT). From there, you can choose from any of the below options to finish up your journey from St Thomas to St John!
Much of St. John lies under the blanket of the Virgin Islands National Park, creating a breadth of preservation that has protected its famous beaches, underwater worlds, and lush jungles.
The sparkling gem of the US Virgin Islands, St. John, promises to be the highlight of your trip – and very much worth the extra effort of getting there! So read on so you, too, can experience what I love most about the Virgin Islands!
You can book a private transfer from the St Thomas Airport to the Red Hook ferry here.
1. Getting to St John from St Thomas by Passenger Ferry
Taking the passenger ferry from St. Thomas to St. John is the most popular way to arrive on the spectacular island. The ferry has three departure points: Red Hook, Crown Bay, and Charlotte Amalie, that allow you to arrive at and depart Cruz Bay, St. John at a variety of times.
There is a clear stand out with the three options. While there is a set schedule for Crown Bay and Charlotte Amalie, through my experience, these can be quite temperamental. Not only does the Red Hook schedule run from as early as 5.30am until 11.30pm, each scheduled departure will run a bit differently.
Because of the amount of departures and closer proximity to Cruz Bay, St. John, leaving from Red Hook is also the cheaper option. This makes for an affordable day trip to St. John, where you can then jump onboard a Safari bus and make your way to any of the best beaches in St. John.
Alongside the terminal in Red Hook, you’ll find options for breakfast or lunch – like some of my favorites – Duffy’s and Tap and Still. Not to mention grocery stores to load up on all you need for your island adventure. I’d recommend getting some snacks and water depending on what you’re planning to do in St John.
After a short, scenic ride, you’ll arrive in Cruz Bay, St. John. You’ll then have some waterfront cafes, restaurants, and shops to choose from, alongside a handful of Safaris ready to help you get around St John.
Making use of public transportation allows visitors to avoid full car parking lot – trust me, some of the lots fill up fast and early, a frequenst complaint from locals living on the isalnd. Prices vary depending on how far you choose to go.
But if you’re just traveling as a couple or with a friend, it can be a cheaper way to explore the island without getting a rental car.
You should, however, keep in mind that your movement is restricted by what time the Safaris arrive and where they’re going. Popular beaches tend to have consistent access to transport, but hidden beaches and hikes may not.
You can check out the passenger ferry schedule here ►
2. Getting to St John by Car Barge Ferry
Another common choice for those going to St. John is the car barge ferry. Two options are so similar you won’t notice the difference. They are Love City and the Big Red Barge.
These run interchangeably from Red Hook, with Love City Car Ferry having the last departure from either island. It takes around 30 minutes to go between St. Thomas and St. John. However, as it’s all first-come, first-served, travelers should always play it safe.
We recommend arriving at least 30 minutes before your departure. You should even make it 45 minutes if you are getting on the last ferry of the day. Once the boat is full, you’re out of luck.
The good news is, as you wait for the ferry to depart, you’ll have some handy nearby options for breakfast, snacks, and drinks in Red Hook. There are also some basic options, including ice cream and bathrooms, on the St. John side.
Travelers will face some strong pros and cons when deciding whether to take their car to St. John. Having your own vehicle gives you tremendous flexibility for discovering multiple beaches in a single day. If you’re traveling in a larger group, it’s also a more cost-effective way to get to, around, and back from the island. Those Safari fees can quickly add up.
However, those with cars are beholden to other aspects. These include finding parking spaces at popular spots like Maho Bay, Trunk Bay, and Hawksnest Beach. Driving around St. John is also no walk in the park. You’ll find yourself driving on the left side of the car, while also in the left lane. Yeah, I know!
You can view the car ferry schedule and fares on the Love City and Big Red Barge websites ►
3. St Thomas to St John by Private Water Taxi
Looking beyond the public services, there are other ways to get to St. John from St. Thomas. Of those, private water taxis stand out, because of their convenience, along with the added layer of comfort and even better views!
There are a handful of options to choose from, with almost all departing from Crown Bay Marina. This departure point is a stone’s throw from the airport. So if you’re flying into St Thomas, this will make your trip to St. John super efficient.
For example, Dolphin Water Taxi has counter space at Cyril King Airport. From there, you’ll jump into a private vehicle, make your way to the marina, and then be swiftly sent across to the nearby paradise.
Yes, these options come at an elevated price, one that can be nicely divided up if you have a large crew. However, the convenience of being able to set your schedule, to and from St. John is well worth it.
Other options that pick you up from the airport include SeaHorse Water Taxi and Last Mile Water Taxi. There are even snorkeling tours from St Thomas if you just want to explore the waters and islands around St John for the day.
If you find yourself on the East End of St. Thomas, around the Red Hook area, there are nearby options to consider. At the top of the list is St. Thomas Water Taxis which departs from Sapphire Beach Marina.
4. How to Get to St John from St Thomas by Plane + Helicopter
(yes – it’s possible!)
Looking for the fastest and bougiest way to get to St. John from St. Thomas? If you’re feeling adventurous, you can take a helicopter between the islands!
After arriving at Cyril E. King on your chosen flight, you won’t even have to depart the airport before joining your captains onboard either a H145 or R44 helicopter.
Carrying up to eight passengers, these trips take no more than 15 minutes before dropping you at a convenient location near Cruz Bay.
To purchase your tickets, you’ll need to contact Caribbean Buzz directly. I’m certainly not brave enough to do this, I almost always opt for the ferry. But if you are, it’s sure to be quite an experience.
On arrival on St. John, you’ll have access to private transport to wherever you’re staying in St John – a hotel in downtown Cruz Bay or a luxury villa on the island’s famous North Shore.
Although it’s a short journey, passengers will enjoy some of the best views of the USVI with limited obstruction. So keep your cameras handy. If you wish to enjoy more aerial views, Caribbean Buzz also offers tours and heli-adventures.
You’ll also have the opportunity to explore the British Virgin Islands as well.
Getting Your Rental Car from St Thomas to St John
So you’ve got yourself a hot pair of wheels for your adventure around St. John? All that remains is figuring out how to get your vehicle between St. Thomas and St. John. Thankfully, the answer is fairly straightforward.
The best (and only) way to get your rental car from St. Thomas to St.John is via the car barge ferry. Departing from Red Hook, there are two options to choose from, the Love City and Big Red Barge ferries. But don’t worry, they both have an identical product.
Pro tip: As these ferries are first come first serve, it’s always good to arrive early. Upon arrival at the Red Hook terminal, you’ll pay a port fee of just a few dollars. From there, you’ll line your car up among the others and wait for a signal.
With a pat on your car, you’ll reverse onto the ship (not my favorite part) following the hand signals of the crew as you go. With all the cars jammed in like sardines, you’ll soon depart. Wait in your vehicle for a crew member to come along and you’ll pay for your ferry ticket in cash.
Should You Rent a Car in St Thomas or St John?
The answer to whether you should rent a car in St. Thomas or St. John lies in where you plan to spend the most time. If you plan on going to St. John on a day trip, there is merit in renting your car in St. Thomas so you can spend time exploring both islands.
PS: I work with a local company in St Thomas that rents cars and I highly recommend checking them out. You can request a quote from Key N Go Car Rental – use CaribbeanUncovered to let them know I sent you!
However, if you’re headed straight to St. John and don’t plan on exploring St. Thomas, you can avoid the car ferry barge altogether and make use of the passenger ferry.
Keep in mind, that this will require you to find either public or private transport to any of the three passenger ferry terminals on St. Thomas.
FAQ: Getting to St John Virgin Islands
What airport do you fly into to get to St. John?
To get to St. John from outside of the USVI, you’ll first need to fly into Cyril E. King Airport (STT) on St. Thomas.
As this is a domestic flight, travelers will be able to swiftly exit the airport. From there, they can make use of private or public transport to get to their departure point for St. John.
How do you get to the Virgin Islands St. John?
The most common way to get to the Virgin Islands St. John is the passenger ferry and the car barge ferry. These depart from St. Thomas and will get you to St. John in under 30 minutes.
They depart from both Red Hook and Charlotte Amalie. Keep in mind, that Red Hook offers a shorter trip and has more frequent departures.
How long is the ferry ride from St Thomas to St. John?
The ferry ride from Red Hook, St. Thomas to Cruz Bay, St. John lasts around 20 minutes, with the addition of around 10 minutes, to get on and off the boat.
With hourly departures, the passenger ferry presents the easiest option to get between both islands, particularly at night time if you choose to stick around Cruz Bay for sunset drinks.
What airlines fly to St. John Virgin Islands?
Airlines do not fly to St. John Virgin Islands. Travelers will need to fly into St. Thomas before reaching St. John.
Spirit is the airline with the most flights from the mainland USA. Other options include daily flights from Delta, American Airlines, United Airlines, and JetBlue.
What cities fly directly to the Virgin Islands?
There are direct flights to the Virgin Islands from major US cities. Those with regular departures include New York, Atlanta, and Charlotte.
Non-direct flights from the aforementioned departure points will stop in Florida. Miami, Orlando, and Fort Lauderdale handle the bulk of the layovers for flights headed to the US Virgin Islands.
From Florida, flights are about three hours to Cyril E. King Airport (STT).
What is the cheapest month to go to the Virgin Islands?
The cheapest month to go to the Virgin Islands is September. However, from August through until the end of October, you’ll find reduced prices on accommodation.
This time of year marks hurricane season and while there are certainly plenty of sunny days, there is always the chance that rain could affect your time here. Not to mention the potential of serious storms.
The weather calms down into November when travelers can enjoy a mix of nice weather, some handy cloud cover, and cheaper accommodations.
The holiday season and the first four months of the year represent the high season here in the Virgin Islands, and you can expect elevated prices and an influx of cruise ships.
Final Thoughts: How to Get to St John USVI
There are some great and easy ways to get to St. John for all budgets. Yes, these options grow in convenience the more you pay. But even travelers looking not to blow the budget will find cost-effective ways of departing St. Thomas for further adventures.
The passenger and car ferry are the two most common ways to get to St. John. Both will provide you with a different kind of flexibility helping you make the most of your experience.
Whatever you do, trust me and leap over to St John. There’s a reason it’s not only my favorite island, but many other travelers and USVI locals as well.
