Getting from St. Thomas to St. John
St. John is a separate island in the US Virgin Islands, east of St. Thomas. Most of it is national park. You reach it by passenger ferry to Cruz Bay, and there are two departure points on St. Thomas: Red Hook on the east end and the waterfront in Charlotte Amalie.
Red Hook is the shorter, cheaper and more frequent crossing. The Charlotte Amalie ferry is useful if you stay in town, but it runs less often and takes longer. Passenger ferries and car barges are different services with different tickets, so do not mix them up.
Ferry fares in 2026
One way, published by the ferry operator. The port authority lists the Red Hook prices as one-way fares too.
| Passenger | Red Hook to Cruz Bay | Charlotte Amalie to Cruz Bay |
|---|---|---|
| Adult, non-resident | $8.15 | $13 |
| Adult, resident with USVI ID | $6 | $12 |
| Child, ages 2 to 11 | $1 | $3.50 |
| Under 2 years | Free | Free |
| Resident seniors 60+ with USVI senior ID | $1.50 | $6 |
| Large bag | $4 | $4 |
A small bag that fits on your lap travels free. Online tickets are offered. Another published fare table shows the child and senior fares the other way round, so confirm the amount at the ticket window.
Our picks: St. John
A guided land tour and a catamaran trip with snorkeling.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Catamaran snorkel and beach trip to St. John
Water, beer, soft drinks, ice, fees and permits are included. Fuel is extra (about 18 to 22 gallons on the half day), as are the crew tip and towels.
Check availability →
Guided St. John and Annaberg Plantation tour
National park fees, pickup at both cruise ports and most hotels, a driver and a local guide are included. The ferry tickets to and from St. John are not, and cost $16.30 per person extra.
Check availability →St. John trips from St. Thomas
Guided island tours, snorkel sails and beach days on St. John, with live prices and availability.
Ferry schedule
Be at the dock at least 15 minutes before departure. The listed time is not the boarding time.
Red Hook, until October 31, 2026
A special schedule runs from July 26 to October 31, 2026. From Red Hook the first boat leaves at 5:30 am on Monday to Friday only. Every day, boats run hourly from 6:00 am to 8:00 pm, then at 10:00 pm and 11:30 pm. From Cruz Bay, boats run hourly from 6:00 am to 9:00 pm every day, then at 11:00 pm.
Red Hook, from November
The special schedule ends on October 31, and the published standard tables differ from each other. Check the current timetable with the operator before you plan a late return.
Charlotte Amalie
The crossing takes about 45 minutes. Both published tables agree on the first boats: 10:00 am from Charlotte Amalie and 8:45 am from Cruz Bay. The later departures differ between sources and depend on the season, so confirm the last boat back before you leave town.
Parking and car barges at Red Hook
The Urman V. Fredericks Marine Terminal at Red Hook is open from 6:00 am to midnight every day. Parking prices have a new scale since April 6, 2026. The most you pay is $20 for 24 hours. American Express is not accepted, and you pay at the counter or a machine.
- First 15 minutes: free.
- Up to 1 hour: $4. From 1 to 2 hours: $6. From 2 to 3 hours: $8.
- From 3 to 4 hours: $12. From 4 to 5 hours: $15.
- From 5 to 24 hours: $20.
Car barges run between Red Hook and Enighed Pond on St. John. Tickets from different companies are not interchangeable. The port authority suggests arriving 30 to 60 minutes early, and an online ticket does not guarantee a place on a particular departure because cars load in order. An extra ramp charge applies to cars. One port authority page lists $3 and another, dated April 6, 2026, lists $5, so budget for $5. Whether your rental car may go on the barge depends on your rental contract.
Trunk Bay and the national park
Virgin Islands National Park covers most of the island.
The park has no general entrance fee. Trunk Bay is the exception, with a special use fee of $5 for visitors aged 16 and over, or $2.50 with an Interagency Senior or Access Pass. That is the currently published fee. Since October 1, 2026, Trunk Bay accepts only card or mobile payment, so cash does not work. You can pay at the booth or online through Recreation.gov. The fee applies from sunrise to sunset, and national park free days do not waive it.
When you bring snorkel gear, apply the rules for reef protection. The USVI ban sunscreens containing oxybenzone, octinoxate or octocrylene. Choose a mineral, non-nano product and read the ingredients, since "reef safe" on the label alone is not reliable. Do not touch or disturb corals or turtles. More beaches on St. Thomas itself are in the beach overview, and the Water Island guide covers the other nearby island.
A sample day trip from Red Hook
Use the hourly timetable that runs until October 31, 2026, and confirm any later date.
Morning: get to Red Hook
Taxis from downtown charge $20 for one person or $15 each in a group. From the airport the fares are $23 and $17. With a rental car you park at the terminal. The airport and car rental guide has more.
Midmorning: the crossing
Take the 8:00 or 9:00 am boat. The crossing lasts about 20 minutes, and you arrive in Cruz Bay.
Day: beach or tour
Spend the day at Trunk Bay, or book a guided trip so that ground transport is arranged. Check what the tour includes before you pay.
Evening: the way back
Under the schedule valid until October 31, the last boat leaves Cruz Bay at 11:00 pm. Plan to be at the dock earlier, and keep a margin if you have a flight or a ship to catch.
Cruise guests have less time. The cruise port guide explains the piers and taxi fares, and a ferry trip needs a large buffer before all-aboard.
More St. Thomas guides
Beaches, towns and the weather around your trip.
St. Thomas to St. John ferry: frequently asked questions
How much is the ferry to St. John?
From Red Hook an adult non-resident pays $8.15 one way, a child aged 2 to 11 pays $1 and children under 2 ride free. From Charlotte Amalie the same adult pays $13 and a child $3.50. Large bags cost $4.
How long does the ferry take?
The crossing from Red Hook takes about 20 minutes. The ferry from Charlotte Amalie takes about 45 minutes.
Do I need to reserve a ferry seat?
The operator offers online tickets but the pages do not state a general reservation requirement. Arrive at least 15 minutes before departure. Car barges are different, and an online ticket does not guarantee a place on a specific barge.
Where do I park at Red Hook?
At the Urman V. Fredericks Marine Terminal, open from 6:00 am to midnight. The first 15 minutes are free, and 24 hours cost at most $20 since April 6, 2026.
What does Trunk Bay cost?
The fee is $5 for visitors aged 16 and over, and $2.50 with an Interagency Senior or Access Pass. Since October 1, 2026 you must pay by card or mobile payment instead of cash.
Can I take a rental car to St. John?
Car barges cross from Red Hook to Enighed Pond, but permission depends on your rental contract. Ask the rental company before you board.