Do you need a car to get around Virgin Islands?

The best way to get around any U.S. Virgin Island is in a car – either your own rental or a taxi. You can rent a car at or nearby one of the islands' two airports: the Cyril E. King Airport (STT) on St. Thomas and the Henry E.



Whether you need a car in 2026 depends on which island you are visiting and your personal travel style. On St. Thomas, a car is highly recommended if you want to explore the various beaches like Magens Bay or Sapphire Beach, as taxis charge per person and can quickly become more expensive than a daily rental. On St. John, a 4-wheel drive (Jeep) is almost essential because the terrain is incredibly steep and many of the best "secret" spots are accessible only via rugged roads. However, if you stay in a walkable hub like Cruz Bay, you can rely on the "VITRAN" bus or open-air safari taxis. On St. Croix, the island is so large that you definitely need a car to get between Christiansted and Frederiksted or to visit the bioluminescent bays. For 2026 travelers who prefer not to drive on the left side of the road, the "Safari Taxis" are a fun, cheap ($1-$2) way to move between major points on St. Thomas, but they follow limited routes and are not suitable for exploring off-the-beaten-path locations.

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For visitors who wish to take in the sights, a variety of options exist. You can enjoy an island tour via safari bus or taxi, rent a car or motor bike, or travel on the Vitran public bus system.

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No Uber or Lyft, but there are regular taxis that can take you to anywhere you'd like to go. The taxi fares are based on destination and the charge is per person each way. The safari is actually a $1/$2 ride depending on where you get on or off.

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There are three convenient ways to island hop; take a boat charter, use a ferry or fly between the islands. Below you will find a brief description of each island with links to more information on each island. Read through the descriptions and decide which islands you would like to visit.

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If you plan to visit St. Thomas and St. John, I recommend spending one week in the US Virgin Islands. With 7 days, you have 2 days for travel time plus 5 days on the islands, which is plenty of time to visit the beaches, go snorkeling or take a boat cruise, and do a little hiking.

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Within Town Limits: $55 for 1-4 passengers, (5 or more passengers add $7 for each additional person). Airport to Frenchman's Reef, Limetree or Bolongo: $65 for 1-4 passengers, (5 or more passengers will pay an additional fare each).

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“After decreases in both 2017 and 2018, the violent crime rate dropped an additional one percent during the year and the property crime rate decreased 4.5 percent. In 2019, there were an estimated 1,203,808 violent crimes and an estimated violent crime rate of 366.7 violent crimes per 100,000 inhabitants.

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The Virgin Islands public transit system in St. Thomas is called VITRAN. The bus fare is $1, and there are discounted fares for seniors and students with ID.

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What is the cheapest Virgin Island to stay at? If you're looking to save on your trip, you may want to consider the cheapest virgin island to stay at. St. Thomas is your best bet if you're looking for savings.

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St. Croix, on the other hand, is the largest and least visited of the US Virgin Islands. It's a quieter island where you can find secluded beaches and empty trails. There are two main towns, the capital: Christiansted and another town, Frederiksted.

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Listed at number 115 on the GPI, Haiti is the most dangerous country in the Caribbean Islands as of 2022. By far the most dangerous threat to U.S. tourists is kidnapping for ransom. Reports of convoys being attacks, protests, and other violent events are also common in Haiti, as well as armed robberies.

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Puerto Rico is considered a generally safe destination for travelers with a relatively low crime rate and a strong police presence in tourist areas. Over 10,000 police officers serve in The PRPD. Puerto Rico has a low crime rate and is one of the safest Caribbean islands, even safer than The U.S. Virgin Islands.

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Tipping is the same as the US or Europe - 15% of your restaurant check, more if service has been exceptional. An extra dollar or two for your taxi driver is fine, more if he/she handles bags or conducts a good island tour. Being thoughtful and considerate is appreciated anywhere in the world.

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While you can't request a taxi using Uber in Saint-Thomas, you can request a trip with UberX, a different ride option with unique features, directly from the Uber app. To get started, open the Uber app, enter your pickup and dropoff locations, then select UberX from the list of ride options.

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Top tips for finding cheap flights to the U.S. Virgin Islands. Book at least 1 week before departure in order to get a below-average price. High season is considered to be May, June and July. The cheapest month to fly from the United States is September.

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Winter through spring is the best time to visit the U.S. Virgin Islands. Pleasant temperatures and low rainfall make December through May a good time to go to the USVI. June is also one of the best times to visit St. Thomas, St.

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Additionally, if you're planning a trip during the off season and traveling alone, ask for the hotel's occupancy rate -- you may want crowds. The social scene in both the B.V.I. and the U.S.V.I. is intense from mid-December to mid-April. After that, it slumbers a bit.

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