Our Top Travel Tips for Visiting St. Thomas
So you’re planning a trip to St. Thomas? Most likely, you’ve looked up the average weather for your trip dates, researched things to do, and scoped out the best places to eat and drink. In addition to choosing the best time of year to visit and how you’ll make the most of your trip, there are a few travel details to consider.
If you’re flying from the U.S., there are several airports with nonstop flights to STT. Wondering if you need a passport? Not sure how to get around on the island? In this month’s blog post, we cover all this and more — so your trip to St. Thomas is nothing but smooth sailing.
Know Before You Go: Seven Tips for Traveling to St. Thomas
Fly non-stop from these airports
From the U.S., American, Continental, Delta, JetBlue, Spirit, United, and US Airways fly to St. Thomas. Flight schedules are always changing, but you can usually count on the following airports to have nonstop flights to STT:
Miami (MIA), Fort Lauderdale (FLL), Orlando (MCO), Atlanta (ATL), Charlotte (CLT), Washington, D.C. (IAD), Philadelphia (PHL), New York City (JFK), Newark (EWR), Boston (BOS), Houston (IAH), Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW), Chicago (ORD), Minneapolis (MSP)
No need to bring a passport
Traveling to St. Thomas is easy! U.S. citizens do not need a passport to travel to the U.S. Virgin Islands, including St. Thomas, St. Croix, or St. John. If you are not a U.S. citizen, then a passport issued by your country of origin is required. Also, make sure you bring a passport if you want to visit the British Virgin Islands.
Drive on the left!
It may be U.S. territory, but we drive on the left side of the road here. The island is very mountainous and the roads are narrow, so be extra careful. Seatbelts are required by law, and it is illegal to drive while speaking on your cellphone. Major car-rental companies include Avis, Budget, and Hertz with locations at the airport. Local rental companies include Dependable Car Rental and Discount Car Rental.
…Or hail a cab
There is no Uber or Lyft in St. Thomas, but there are several taxi associations and private drivers. Try Dial A Ride St. Thomas, East End Taxi, Islander Taxi Services, or Virgin Islands Taxi Association. Taxis can be hailed on the street or called. Most charge by the person and by the bag.
Tip like you do in the U.S.
Our currency is the U.S. dollar and the customary gratuity rate is 15-20%. When dining out, review your bill carefully as some restaurants will automatically charge gratuity. Automated teller machines (ATMs) can be found throughout all three islands. Most establishments accept major credit cards as well as traveler’s checks.
Pack mineral sunscreen
The sun is strong here! Make sure you wear sunscreen and stay hydrated. If you plan on packing sunscreen, ensure that it is mineral based — it’s the law! Always read the ingredient label, even if it says “reef-safe.” Avoid sunscreens that contain the “Toxic 3 Os” of oxybenzone, octinoxate and octocrylene, which are prohibited in the USVI.
Budget and plan ahead
Getting goods to an island isn’t cheap. If it’s not grown or produced locally, chances are it’s going to be more expensive than what you’re used to. We can stock your cottage or villa with provisions before you arrive and provide an estimate of how much it will cost, so you can plan and prepare in advance.
We hope these tips make planning your your trip to St. Thomas a little easier. For more travel information, including current COVID-19 requirements, visit USVI Department of Tourism. Not sure where to stay in St. Thomas? Check out our secluded coastal cottages and beachfront villas.
