St Thomas to St John Ferry: Terminals, Times and Last Boat Risk

There are three ways across. The passenger ferry from Red Hook is the main route and the one most visitors use. A second, less frequent passenger service links the Charlotte Amalie waterfront with Cruz Bay, and it is the better start if you are staying in town. The third is a vehicle barge from Red Hook, which carries cars and freight and is the choice if you are bringing a vehicle or large load. Private water taxis and charters fill the gaps outside ferry hours.

Operators, fares and times change by season, and some boats run reduced schedules on Sundays or holidays. Use the official ferry and territorial sources for the current timetable, and expect to buy a ticket at the terminal rather than online. Fares for adults are modest, commonly in the range of 10 USD or less each way for the Red Hook ferry, with small extra fees for bags. Confirm before you go.

Times are typical and hedged for 2026. Check the live schedule.

The crossing is sheltered, so cancellations are rare. They happen with tropical storms and hurricanes, which are most likely from June to November, in strong trade winds with rough water, and with mechanical faults. A late departure is more common than a cancelled one. Queues for the barge and the ferry can also delay you at busy times, such as holiday weekends.

If your boat is cancelled, the next boat is usually the fix, though it can be full. Keep your ticket and ask the operator what they offer. Do not leave a flight or a ferry to another island at the end of the day. A missed connection is your cost, not theirs.

Red Hook is about 25 to 30 km from Cyril E. King Airport on St Thomas, usually 40 to 60 minutes by taxi, longer in traffic. Taxis on St Thomas are shared vans and tend to charge per person. The road is steep and winding. Charlotte Amalie is closer to the airport, around 15 to 20 minutes, and has its own waterfront terminal for the St John boat.

At the other end, Cruz Bay is the main town and the port of entry for St John. The ferry dock is in the middle of the village, within walking distance of many shops and short taxi rides to the park beaches.

The vehicle barge lands at a separate dock nearby, at Enighed Pond. Coral Bay, on the east side, is about 15 to 20 minutes from Cruz Bay by taxi or car, and Virgin Islands National Park covers most of the island, so the beaches are a short ride from the dock. If you are bound for the south or east side of the island, plan the taxi or car pick-up in advance.

• Find the last Red Hook departure for your date and subtract 90 minutes if you are coming from the airport. That is your latest landing time, not the time you hope to make it.
• Book accommodation on St John for the arrival night with a late check-in option. Tell the host your arrival plan.
• Do not use the last boat on your departure day to reach a flight on St Thomas. Cross at least a half day before.
• Carry cash for fares and taxis in small notes, in case card readers fail.
• Check the weather forecast and hurricane warnings in the season, and use a flexible ticket or refundable room.

1. Go to the other terminal

If the Red Hook boat has gone, check whether a Charlotte Amalie sailing is still due. It is a longer drive and a longer crossing, so compare times before taking a taxi. Do not assume it runs later.

2. Hire a water taxi

Private boats operate on demand and may take you over after the ferries stop. They cost much more than the ferry and depend on sea conditions and boat availability. Agree the price and the number of passengers before you board.

3. Sleep on St Thomas

Red Hook has places to stay and eat, close to the dock. This is the cheapest outcome, and sometimes the safest one in rough weather. Keep a room flexible for the night before departure, so you do not pay twice.

4. Use the vehicle barge

If you have luggage or a vehicle and the passenger boat has gone, check whether a later barge is available. Barge times differ from the passenger ferry. Some barges take foot passengers; confirm this with the operator.

5. Shift the arrival to morning

On long trips, land on St Thomas the day before, sleep near the ferry and cross at the start of the day. It costs a night, but it removes the risk. Early boats leave from about 6 to 7 in the morning.

Skip a late-afternoon crossing if you land after dark with checked bags and a long taxi ride ahead. Skip a same-day return for a flight. I would also skip a plan that relies on private water taxis as your only backup, because the price and availability are uncertain. If you are mostly staying on St Thomas, a day trip works only with a fixed return time and a margin of two hours.

How long is the ferry from St Thomas to St John?

The passenger ferry from Red Hook to Cruz Bay takes about 15 to 20 minutes. The Charlotte Amalie to Cruz Bay boat takes around 45 minutes. Add time for queues, bag handling and the taxi to the terminal, which can be more than the crossing itself.

How often does the St John ferry run?

From Red Hook it runs about once an hour through the day, with larger gaps late at night. The Charlotte Amalie service is less frequent. Timetables vary by season and on Sundays and holidays. Check the official schedule for your date before planning.

What time is the last ferry from St Thomas to St John?

The last Red Hook boat usually leaves in the evening, around 10 pm to midnight, with an earlier last boat from Charlotte Amalie. Times vary by season and operator. Look up the exact departure for your date, and do not plan to catch it with less than an hour to spare.

Can you take a car on the ferry to St John?

Not on the passenger ferry. Cars go on the vehicle barge from Red Hook, which runs on a separate schedule. Rental cars on St Thomas are often not allowed on St John under rental terms, so check your agreement. Many visitors rent a vehicle on St John instead.

Do you need a passport for the ferry to St John?

Travel between St Thomas and St John is within the US Virgin Islands, so there is no border control on this crossing. Carry photo identification anyway. Rules for non-US citizens and for onward ferries to the British Virgin Islands differ, so verify them with the official source.