Seeking transport from St. Thomas to St. Croix? Here is all the necessary information.
Unlike the quick trip from St. Thomas to St. John, St. Croix is 45 miles farther south than the other two US Virgin Islands, making the journey from St. Thomas to St. Croix much lengthier and, in one case, much less comfortable.
Fortunately, there are three different options to select from depending on comfort, schedule flexibility, and budget! Here`s a quick practical guide on how to travel between St. Thomas and St. Croix:
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Table of Contents
3 Ways to Get From St. Thomas to St. Croix (& Back) in the US Virgin Islands
There are 3 methods to travel from St. Thomas to St. Croix. I’ll break down each step-by-step, but here’s the summary:
- Passenger ferries depart downtown Charlotte Amalie on St. Thomas and arrive in Christiansted, St. Croix, after a somewhat bumpy 2-hour journey (note: ferries do not run every day)
- Cape Air flies routinely from the primary airport on St. Thomas (STT) to beautiful St. Croix (STX) multiple times daily.
- The Seaplane departing Charlotte Amalie Harbor is a unique experience allowing supreme flexibility for a day trip to St. Croix or extended stays, though considerably more expensive.
🇻🇮 Water Island: While the US Virgin Islands of St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix receive substantial attention, don’t neglect a day trip to Water Island, the 4th US Virgin Island accessible from St. Thomas!
Way 1: From St. Thomas to St. Croix by Ferry
🚍 Best for: The most affordable way to travel between St. Thomas and St. Croix is by ferry.
💵 Cost: Moderate pricing
👉 Where to Book:Native Son Ferry or Queen Elizabeth IV
One of the most affordable approaches to traveling from St. Thomas to St. Croix is by boarding among the leading ferry providers that go between the two islands.
There were two options for transportation: Native Son Ferry or Queen Elizabeth IV (QE4).
The Native Son Ferry makes the journey from Charlotte Amalie in the morning before returning in the afternoon on the same day. This ferry route is considered the best option for a one-day trip between St. Thomas and St. Croix. However, it only conducts the return trip on Sundays and Fridays (and sometimes Wednesdays).
Conversely, QE4 leaves Gallows Bay in St. Croix in the morning before returning late afternoon from St. Thomas. The benefit of the Queen Elizabeth IV ferry is that it has more service days, operating Wednesdays through Mondays, and only taking Tuesdays off.
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👉 Pro Tip: I won’t omit stating that the ferry ride to St. Croix can prove turbulent. If choosing to take the ferry, I most emphatically advise taking seasickness medication before departure (usually both the night before and morning aids).
Pros of Ferry Service:
- The most affordable round-trip between St. Thomas and St. Croix
- Choose from two different ferry companies.
Cons of Ferry Service:
- Fewer departure times with only one per day.
- Uncomfortable boat ride across rough seas.
- The crossing takes nearly 2 hours.
Way 2: From St. Thomas to St. Croix by Plane (Cape Air)
👍 Best option for: Convenience and saving travel time.
💵 Cost: Higher price point
👉 Where to book: Search for flights between STT and STX on Skyscanner
Cape Air is the leading airline providing trips between St. Thomas and St. Croix, plus the US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. As it`s an intra-region trip, you won`t need to go through airport security making the boarding process easy and time saving! Typically, the airplane is amusingly small, and you may even be seated right beside the pilot for the 20 minute trip.
Airfares vary greatly depending on the time of year but are more expensive than a ferry ticket. However, the extra cost is worth the time saved, flexibility, or avoiding the rough seas aboard the ferries.
Pros of Flying STT to STX:
- More comfortable than the rough ferry ride.
- Taking the floatplane preserves precious time during your trip.
Cons of Flying STT to STX:
- Much more expensive than the ferry.
- Travelling between the two island airports for day trips remains necessary making brief visits difficult.
Way 3: From St. Thomas to St. Croix by Seaplane
🚍 Best for: A unique experience allowing flexibility and time savings.
💵 Cost: Higher priced
👉 Where to Book: Obtain more details on Expedia or Seaborne Airlines
The most popular, yet often most expensive, method of getting from St. Thomas to St. Croix is via seaplane! Seaborne Airlines is the island’s leading provider and departs Charlotte Amalie before landing 30 minutes later in Christiansted on St. Croix.
The plane provides the most adaptability for travelers looking to visit St. Croix for a day trip or, ideally, even longer. Ultimately, the seaplane experience might be the highlight of your entire trip to the USVIs!
Benefits of Flying on a Seaplane:
- Ultimate flexibility in your travel plans.
- Ideal for day visitors to explore Christiansted and nearby Buck Island.
- A compelling experience with spectacular views.
Disadvantages of Flying on the Seaplane:
- Typically the most expensive option.
3 Tips For Getting Between St. Thomas and St. Croix
Don’t Visit St. Croix from St. Thomas as a Day Trip
I realize many people go to St. Croix from St. Thomas as a single day trip and vice versa, but I only recommend it if you can comfortably manage the seaplane cost. You’ll thoroughly enjoy the offerings of each island over multiple days rather than one day. Anything less, you’ll miss most of the best activities to do on St. Croix.
If guidance is needed when planning lodging and activities, a day-by-day itinerary for St. Croix has been prepared!
Do Visit St. Croix for at Least 3 Days
My minimum suggested time spent on St. Croix is no less than three days. St. Croix is the largest of the US Virgin Islands, and to experience all the hot spots around Frederiksted, Christiansted, the East End, plus Buck Island, you’ll need at minimum three days to do so. Ideally, you can remain for a week to enjoy everything this magnificent island offers.
Do Prepare for Rough Seas Aboard the Ferry
The ferry ride to St. Croix from St. Thomas is lively, with large waves almost the whole journey. If you’re new to boating and rough maritime conditions, I highly advise taking motion sickness medicine or getting to St. Croix by plane.
FAQs Travel Between St. Thomas and St. Croix
How Long is the Ferry from St. Croix to St. Thomas?
The ferry journey from St. Croix to St. Thomas and vice versa takes around one and a half hours. If the sea conditions are rougher, the ride may last up to two hours.
How much is the ferry ride from St. Thomas to St. Croix
As of this writing (January 2023), the ferry voyage from St. Thomas to St. Croix costs a round trip total of $120 per person.
How Do You Get from St. Thomas to St. Croix?
Travel from St. Thomas to St. Croix is possible via ferry from Charlotte Amalie to Christiansted. Other options include flying Cape Air from STT to STX or taking the seaplane with Seaborne Airlines.
Can you Island Hop from St. Thomas to St. Croix?
Both visitors and locals can travel between the islands of St. Thomas and St. Croix using a boat,plane, or floatplane!
Map of How to Get Between St. Thomas and St. Croix
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Now you know how to travel between St. Thomas and St. Croix (and back from St. Croix to St. Thomas!).
Let us know if you have any questions in the comment below! Otherwise, check out our list of amazing places to visit without a passport, US Virgin Islands included!
