The Short Answer
Getting from STT airport to St. John takes about an hour total and costs roughly $25–$28 per person (2 people traveling together). The process is always the same: taxi to a ferry terminal → ferry to Cruz Bay. Three terminal options exist; Red Hook is the right choice for most travelers.
Route 1: Red Hook Ferry (Recommended)
Best for: most travelers, especially families, groups, and anyone arriving without a specific reason to use another terminal.
Step 1: Take a taxi from STT arrivals to Red Hook ferry terminal on the east end of St. Thomas.
- Fare: $23 per person (solo) / $17 per person (2+ passengers)
- Duration: 30–40 minutes (traffic on Rte. 30 can slow things down)
Step 2: Buy a ticket at the terminal or in advance at stjohnticketing.com. Board the ferry to Cruz Bay.
- Fare: $8.15 per adult one-way (children 2–11: $1)
- Crossing: 20 minutes
- Frequency: roughly every hour, 6:30am–midnight
- Operators: Varlack Ventures and Transportation Services of St. John
Total cost (2 people): $17 taxi + $8.15 ferry = ~$25 per person
Red Hook is the right choice because the ferry runs all day, you never wait more than an hour, and the terminal has bathrooms and a small bar. The taxi ride is longer than Crown Bay but the ferry fare is significantly cheaper.
Route 2: Crown Bay Ferry (Closest to Airport)
Best for: travelers with a lot of luggage, families with young kids who want the shortest possible taxi, or anyone whose flight arrives outside peak Red Hook hours.
Crown Bay Marina is just 5 minutes from STT airport on the western side of St. Thomas. Inter Island Boat Services operates here. If you’re still in the air or connecting, check live STT arrivals and airport wait times so you know what to expect at baggage and customs before you head to the dock.
- Taxi fare: $8 per person (same rate regardless of group size)
- Duration: ~5 minutes
- Ferry fare: $20 per adult one-way
- Crossing: 35 minutes
- Frequency: fewer departures than Red Hook — check the schedule before landing
Total cost (2 people): $8 taxi + $20 ferry = ~$28 per person
Crown Bay costs slightly more per person but the taxi is trivial. The catch is the schedule — if you arrive and there’s no Crown Bay departure for two hours, Red Hook is almost always the better move.
Route 3: Charlotte Amalie Ferry (Seasonal Only)
Best for: travelers who are spending a night in Charlotte Amalie first, or anyone who wants a scenic 45-minute boat ride instead of a 20-minute one.
The Charlotte Amalie waterfront ferry to Cruz Bay is seasonal and the schedule shifts through the year. Confirm it is running before you plan around it.
- Taxi fare: $11 per person (solo) / $9 per person (2+)
- Duration: 15 minutes from airport to waterfront
- Ferry fare: $13 per adult one-way
- Crossing: 45 minutes
- Frequency: a few departures per day (seasonal)
Total cost (2 people): $9 taxi + $13 ferry = ~$22 per person
On paper this is the cheapest option, but the schedule shifts through the year and departure times are very limited. It is not a reliable option for travelers with tight connections.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Route | Taxi Fare (2+ pax) | Ferry Fare | Total/person | Crossing Time | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red Hook | $17/person | $8.15 | ~$25 | 20 min | Hourly all day |
| Crown Bay | $8/person | $20 | ~$28 | 35 min | Limited |
| Charlotte Amalie | $9/person | $13 | ~$22 | 45 min | Few/day, seasonal |
Arriving in Cruz Bay
Cruz Bay is the main town on St. John — restaurants, shops, grocery stores, and the Cruz Bay ferry dock are all within a short walk. Taxis wait at the dock for onward trips.
Taxi fares from Cruz Bay to popular destinations:
- Trunk Bay — $9/person (2+), about 10 min
- Cinnamon Bay — $11/person (2+), about 15 min
- Maho Bay — $12/person (2+), about 20 min
- Coral Bay — $15/person (2+), about 30 min
- Westin Resort — $7/person (2+), about 5 min
See all Cruz Bay taxi fares on the USVI taxi fare estimator.
Practical Tips
- Book rental cars and Jeeps in advance. St. John rental cars sell out weeks ahead during peak season (Dec–April).
- The last Red Hook ferry to Cruz Bay is midnight. If you’re day-tripping from St. Thomas, don’t miss it.
- Bring cash. Ferry tickets and taxis accept cash reliably; card acceptance varies by driver and terminal.
- Extra bags cost extra. USVI taxis charge $3 per bag — useful to know with large luggage.
- Red Hook traffic. The route from STT to Red Hook can back up during afternoon rush. Leave buffer time.
- Car barge option. If you’re bringing a rental car, the car barge from Red Hook (Vessup Bay) to Enighed Pond costs ~$65 one-way for non-residents. No reservation — show up and load.
Plan the rest of your St. John trip
Live ferry schedules, taxi fares, beach crowd forecasts, and island weather — all free on VIslandGuide.