If you’re a US citizen, you don’t need to worry about visas when you travel to the US Virgin Islands. If you don’t have a passport, you can still get into the islands. However, you should have two forms of identification with you. Usually, your driver’s license or birth certificate aren’t enough, and you will also need a passport to enter the islands’ neighboring territories.
Flights into St. Thomas
The US Virgin Islands are accessible by direct flights from several US cities. Direct flights are available from Charlotte, Atlanta, Miami, and New York. Flights from these cities take approximately three to four hours. There are many nonstop flights from these cities to St. Thomas. There are also several connections between the islands on inter-island airlines.
The Cyril E. King Airport is located at 70 Lindbergh Bay and is a public airport. It has 11 gates and is one of the busiest airports in the eastern Caribbean. The airport’s runway is seven miles long and 150 feet deep, and is considered to be one of the deepest man-made runways in the world. In November 1990, the airport completed a new terminal with approximately 190,000 square feet on the first floor and 60,000 square feet on the top floor.
The main airport for Saint Thomas is Cyril E. King Airport (STT). This is the largest airport in the US Virgin Islands. There are more than 24 international and domestic flights to Saint Thomas every month. The island is also served by one domestic flight a day.
Once you arrive on the US Virgin Islands, the best way to get around is by car or taxi. Public transportation is not reliable and can take up valuable vacation time. If you plan to rent a car, be sure to rent a four-wheel-drive vehicle. Taxis are also readily available at major tourist sites. However, be aware that taxis do not have meters.
While you do not need a passport to visit the US Virgin Islands, you should make sure you have two forms of identification with you. A driver’s license or a raised-seal birth certificate will be considered valid forms of identification. For travelers from other countries, a passport is required.
Ferry service between St. Thomas and Puerto Rico
If you’re planning a trip to the US Virgin Islands, you’ll want to find a way to get from St. Thomas to Puerto Rico. The Virgin Islands are located in the Atlantic Ocean, about 40 miles east of Puerto Rico and 64 kilometers west of the British Virgin Islands. The island chain consists of three main islands and dozens of smaller ones. There are several different ways to get from one island to the other, and a ferry is one of the easiest and most convenient options.
There are a number of routes that connect the island to Puerto Rico. These include St. Thomas, the US Virgin Islands, and the Dominican Republic. Additionally, the island of Tortola is located about eight miles off the southeast coast of Puerto Rico. The distance between Fajardo and Charlotte Amalie is about 18 miles. There is a Road Town Fast Ferry that connects Charlotte Amalie with Road Town in St. Thomas. The ferry schedule is currently scheduled to last until April 2022. You can expect to save time and money by taking a ferry instead of driving to Fajardo.
If you’re traveling from St. Thomas to Puerto Rico, you should consider taking the ferry. The trip takes two hours and costs around US$80 for a roundtrip ticket. To avoid long wait times, check out the schedule before traveling. There are only a few ferries a day, so be sure to plan ahead.
The shortest route between St. Thomas and Cruz Bay is by boat. The ferry departs from the Cruz Bay Ferry Dock on St. John and runs to Tortola daily. It’s best to call ahead to find out the exact schedule. Alternatively, you can take a shared van taxi from the St. Thomas airport to the Red Hook Ferry Terminal. The ferry runs daily from early morning until 11:00 PM and is relatively inexpensive.
A daily ferry service connects the two islands and takes approximately 65 passengers. The ferry also offers regular services to the neighboring islands of Charlotte Amalie and Crown Bay Marina. You can also take a plane from San Juan to St. John to reach the island. If you’re traveling by plane, you’ll have to go through the United States Virgin Islands’ pre-clearance inspection process.
Taxis as main mode of transport on the islands
Taxis are the main mode of transportation on the British Virgin Islands. The territory is small and not very developed, so there are few public transportation options. However, tourists can move around on foot to get to various settlements, attractions, and cultural centers. Taxis can be easily found on the streets and do not necessarily have meters.
Taxis are available on all three islands, and they are the main mode of transportation. While the USVI has a public bus service, most buses are large vans that the locals refer to as taxi buses. They do not have regular schedules and will pick up passengers who wave from the side of the road. Although it is not recommended for those with a tight schedule, it is the easiest and least expensive way to get around the islands.
Taxis can be found at the airport, beside the baggage claim, and in several locations on the islands. In Christiansted, there are taxi stands in King Street, near the post office, and in Frederiksted, by Fort Frederik. Taxis can also be hired by tourists to pick them up at a later time.
Taxis are available on the islands, so if you plan to take one, make sure to get a business card from the driver. This way, you can be sure you are getting a reliable ride from a friendly, entertaining taxi driver. The rates of sightseeing taxi tours are regulated by the government. The cost of a standard taxi tour on St. Thomas is $50 for one or two passengers, with a small fee for extra passengers.
While you can rent a vehicle to tour the island, it is often cheaper to take a taxi. Taxis are plentiful on the island and can be found in the town as well as cruise ship ports. Most hotels offer a shuttle service to their guests. Guests can also order taxis through the hotel concierge. A taxi ride from Road Town to Cane Garden Bay will cost approximately $25.
Cost of alcohol in the U.S. Virgin Islands
Unlike most destinations, the cost of alcohol in the USVI is relatively low. Residents of the United States are allowed to bring back four liters of alcohol duty-free, while travelers can bring back an additional five liters. For duty-free purchases, the alcohol must be locally produced. For the other two liters, the alcohol is subject to a flat duty rate of 1.5 percent. Additional alcohol is subject to IRS taxes.
The US Virgin Islands have a climate with very little seasonal variation, and the trade winds keep the island cool. It is a relatively safe destination for expatriates, with a relatively low risk of violent crime. The highest crime rates are on St Thomas, while the lowest are on St Croix. Health care facilities in the US Virgin Islands are generally adequate, though a trip to the hospital could be expensive if your health condition requires complex treatment.
The cost of alcohol in the USVI is competitive with prices in other countries. A five-liter bottle of wine from Manhattan costs $40, but is available for as little as $17 in the USVI. Cruzan rum costs eight dollars a bottle. While the cost of alcohol is high, it is competitive with the prices onboard cruise ships.
The lack of tourists has resulted in a downturn in the price of wine and spirits. A few winners are local products, value-priced products, and hard seltzers. However, this has led to a downward spiral in most of the 23 Caribbean markets, with cruise visitor arrivals down 70.9% in 2020 and 2021. In some cases, cruise visitor arrivals have completely ceased.
The Virgin Islands are a relatively safe place to visit, although crime has increased in some areas. Although Charlotte Amalie and St. Thomas are relatively safe, it is still not a good idea to roam the town at night, and it is recommended to leave your valuables in the hotel safe.