DEPARTURE DAY INFORMATION
Cyril E. King Airport, St. Thomas, USVI
OUR DEPARTURE DAY CHECKLIST:
☐ Check St. Thomas Airport wait times
☐ Confirm ferry departure time
☐ Arrange taxi transportation
☐ Have your ID or passport ready
☐ Check in with your airline
☐ Keep a few dollars handy for tips
☐ Buy one last island souvenir
☐ Take one final harbor photo
☐ Start planning your next trip back!
ST. THOMAS AIRPORT WAIT TIMES
No one likes playing the island version of airport roulette: “Should we leave now… or do we have another hour for one last Painkiller?” Unfortunately, all good island adventures eventually lead to one final taxi ride, one last ferry crossing, and that familiar question, “How early do we really need to get to the airport?”
Before trading palm trees for boarding gates, check current St. Thomas Airport wait times at Cyril E. King Airport to help make your departure day a little less stressful and a lot more predictable. Security lines and airport traffic can vary throughout the day, especially during weekends, holidays, and busy travel seasons. A rule of thumb, arrive at least three hours before your departure.
This helpful resource from Take Off Timer provides estimated airport wait times so you can better plan when to leave St. John, catch the ferry, and arrive at the airport without feeling rushed. After all, the only thing you should be sprinting toward on vacation is a beach chair, not your departure gate.
Travel Tip: If you’re departing from St. John, remember that your journey to the airport includes ferry schedules, taxi transportation, airline check-in, U.S. Customs, and TSA security screening. During busy travel periods, we recommend allowing 3 to 4 hours before your scheduled departure time, especially for afternoon flights, weekends, holidays, and peak travel season.
TRAVEL INFORMATION TO AIRPORT
Taxi Information
Departure Day Taxi Tips:
- Book your taxi the day before departure to the airport.
- If you’re staying in Coral Bay, Fish Bay, Bordeaux, or a private villa, schedule transportation well in advance.
- Ask your host, villa manager, or concierge to arrange a pickup if you don’t already have a driver.
- Keep your driver’s number handy.
- Virgin Islands Taxi Association | (340) 774-4550
- Star Fish Tours & Taxi Services | (340) 998-6139
- Island Girl Taxi and Tours | (340) 513-8562
- For Private Taxi Drivers, check out our Tours & Taxi’s page for a list.
Ferry Schedules
RED HOOK PEOPLE FERRY:
ST. JOHN FERRY TICKETING CO. — (340) 779-4165
CROWN BAY MARINA PEOPLE FERRY:
INTER-ISLAND FERRY SERVICES — (340) 776-6597
CAR BARGES:
BIG RED BARGE — (340) 227-0918 (Big Red Barge & Virginia Pride)
LOVE CITY CAR FERRIES — (340) 779-4000 (Grand Vic & Capt. Vic)
Estimated Travel Times to STT Airport
Cruz Bay → Red Hook (Passenger Ferry): 20 to 25 minutes
Red Hook → STT Airport (Taxi): 30 to 45 minutes
OR
Cruz Bay → Crown Bay (Downtown Passenger Ferry): 30 to 45 minutes
Crown Bay → STT Airport (Taxi): 10 to 15 minutes
Island Departure Rule: Plan ahead so your last words on St. John aren’t, “How fast can this taxi go?”
CUSTOMS INFORMATION
Before leaving paradise, remember that travelers departing St. Thomas clear U.S. Customs before boarding flights to the mainland. Fresh fruits, vegetables, plants, and some homemade food items may be restricted or prohibited. If you’re unsure about an item, declare it rather than risk having it confiscated.
When in doubt: Declare it. Customs officers would rather answer a question than have you guess incorrectly.
For the most current rules, always verify information with U.S. Customs and Border Protection before your departure.
Common items visitors should NOT plan to bring to the U.S. mainland:
Fresh fruits and vegetables
- Mangoes
- Avocados
- Papayas
- Soursop
- Breadfruit
- Bananas (depending on origin and condition)
- Fresh herbs
- Peppers
Many fresh produce items can carry pests or plant diseases and may be confiscated.
Plants and plant cuttings
- Tropical plants
- Seeds
- Soil
- Flowers with roots attached
These often require permits or inspections.
Fresh meats
- Fresh beef
- Pork
- Poultry
- Uncooked seafood that is not properly packaged
Commercially packaged, frozen, or vacuum-sealed products may be allowed, but check before traveling.
Homemade foods without labels
Items without ingredient labels or proper packaging may be questioned or discarded. Examples include:
- Homemade sauces
- Homemade jams
- Unlabeled baked goods
Items that are generally allowed
- Commercially packaged spices
- Sealed hot sauces
- Coffee
- Tea
- Candy
- Packaged snacks
- Commercially bottled sauces
- Commercially packaged baked goods
- Virgin Islands seasonings and rubs
Alcohol reminder
- Visitors 21 and older may bring back alcohol, but there are duty-free limits.
- When returning from the U.S. Virgin Islands to the mainland U.S., travelers are generally allowed:
- Up to 5 liters of alcohol per person
At least one liter must be a product of the U.S. Virgin Islands to take advantage of the higher allowance - Always pack bottles carefully and check your airline’s baggage rules.
