St Thomas travel guide

Getting there and around

The taxi stand is at the far left end of the terminal at the Cyril E King Airport (STT), a long way from the commuter flights from Puerto Rico and other islands. Taxi to town charges US$7 for the first person and US$6 per subsequent person (US$2 for each bag). There are sporadic public buses 0600-1900 from the terminal to the town, US$1. Boats come in to Charlotte Amalie or Red Hook in the east.

There is a bus service running west from Charlotte Amalie to the university and east to Red Hook. If you wish to drive yourself, rental firms are plentiful. Parking is difficult, particularly in town and at Red Hook.

Air

Cyril E King International Airport is 2 miles, 12 mins from Charlotte Amalie. Seaplanes come in at the Seaplane base (SPB) in the capital’s harbour.

Boat

There are many ferry boats to various destinations . There is also a ferry from downtown to Marriott Frenchman’s Reef Beach Resort and Morningstar beach, free for hotel guests, US$3 each way, leaving every hr 0900-1700, 15 mins. Ferry to Water Island runs frequently.

Bus

Vitran bus services (US$0.75 city fare, US$1 country fare, exact change) have 15 a/c buses that run from town to the university (passing near Yacht Haven Marina), to Four Winds Plaza and to Red Hook (past the hospital, K-Mart and Cost U Less).

Car and scooter

Car hire rates range from US$40-80 per day, unlimited mileage, vehicles from small cars to jeeps. Budget, T7765774; Cowpet, 7757376; Avis, 7741468; Sun Island, 7743333; Discount, 7764858; VI Auto Rental, 7763616 (Sub Base). Most have an office by the airport.

Scooters from Island Scooters, opposite Havensight Mall, T7147408, US$55 per day.

Taxis

Cabs are not metered but a list of fares is published in St Thomas This Week and What To Do; a fares list must be carried by each driver. Rates quoted are for 1 passenger and additional passengers are charged extra; drivers are notorious for trying to charge each passenger the single passenger rate. Airport to Red Hook is US$15 for 1, US$11 each extra passenger, town to Magens Bay is US$10 for 1, US$8 for extra person. When travelling on routes not covered by the official list, agree the fare in advance. There are extra charges of US$2pp between 2400 and 0600 and charges for luggage. A 2-hr taxi tour for 2 people costs US$50, additional passengers US$25 each. VI Taxi Association T7747457, Wheatley Taxi Service and Tours, T7751959. Gypsy cabs, unlicensed taxis, operating outside Charlotte Amalie, are cheaper but agree fare and route before getting in.

Banks

Banco Popular de Puerto Rico, T7767800. Bank of Nova Scotia, T7740037. First Bank, T7744800.

Internet

Little Switzerland Internet Café, Main St, upstairs, T7762010, http://www.littleswitzerland.com. Jascom, Havensight Mall, building III, upper level, internet access and other services.

Telephone

AT&T calling centre at Havensight and St Thomas Communications in Crown Bay Marina at Sub Base. Local and overseas calls, faxes, internet US$3 per 15 mins.

Medical services

St Thomas has a 225-bed hospital, T7768311, and a 24-hr emergency services. Mobile medical units provide health services to outlying areas. Red Hook Family Practice is open Mon-Fri 1000-1600, walk in.