Getting from St. Thomas airport to your hotel takes 5 to 45 minutes by licensed taxi, depending on where you stay. Fares are fixed per person by the Virgin Islands Taxicab Commission: about $11 to Charlotte Amalie and up to $27 to East End resorts like the Ritz-Carlton, plus $3 per bag. A pre-booked private transfer costs more but skips the shared-van stops.
Key takeaways
- Taxis at Cyril E. King Airport (STT) are not metered. You pay a set fare per person, and groups of two or more pay a lower rate each.
- Expect $3 per checked bag and $3 extra per person between midnight and 6 a.m.
- Airport taxis are mostly shared vans that drop several parties. East End guests ride longest.
- There is no Uber or Lyft on St. Thomas. Book ahead if you land late, travel with a group, or have a tight ferry connection.
On this page: How taxis work at STT · Fares and drive times by hotel · Shared taxi vs private transfer · Step-by-step arrival · Late arrivals, villas and big groups · FAQ
How do airport taxis work at Cyril E. King Airport?
Licensed taxis wait directly outside the terminal, just past baggage claim. A dispatcher groups arriving passengers by direction and assigns you to a van. Your fare is set by destination and party size, not by a meter.
The vans usually carry 8 to 12 people and drop each party in turn. If your hotel is on the East End, you may ride past several other stops first. That sharing is how the official tariff keeps per-person fares low.
Three rules prevent almost every dispute:
- Check the vehicle. Licensed taxis carry “TP” plates, a roof dome light and a posted rate card titled Island of St. Thomas Motor Vehicles For Hire Official Minimum/Maximum Rates.
- Ask for the total before bags go in. Say: “What is the total for all of us, including luggage?”
- Carry small US bills. Many drivers take cash only. Tipping 10 to 15% is customary.
If you are still comparing taxis, safari buses and rental cars for the rest of your stay, our complete St. Thomas transportation guide covers each option side by side.
How much is a taxi from St. Thomas airport to your hotel?
A taxi from STT to a St. Thomas hotel costs $6 to $27 for one passenger, or $6 to $18 per person for groups of two or more, before luggage. The table below uses the official tariff for the resorts our drivers serve most. Drive times are typical daytime ranges; weekday rush hour and cruise days add time.
| Hotel or area | Region | Fare, 1 person | Fare, 2+ (each) | Typical drive |
| Emerald Beach Resort | Airport / Lindbergh Bay | $6 | $6 | 5 min |
| Crown Bay (marina, Water Island ferry) | West | $8 | $6 | 5-10 min |
| Windward Passage Hotel, Hotel 1829 | Charlotte Amalie | $11 | $9 | 10-20 min |
| Yacht Haven Grande / Havensight | Charlotte Amalie east | $11 | $9 | 15-25 min |
| Bluebeard’s Castle | Charlotte Amalie hillside | $12 | $11 | 15-20 min |
| Westin Beach Resort, Buoy Haus (Frenchman’s Reef) | South Shore | $15 | $12 | 15-25 min |
| Mafolie Hotel | North of town | $15 | $12 | 15-25 min |
| Bolongo Bay, Limetree | South Shore | $18 | $14 | 20-25 min |
| Red Hook (ferry to St. John) | East End | $23 | $17 | 30-45 min |
| Sugar Bay, Margaritaville, Sapphire Beach, Point Pleasant, Pavilions & Pools | East End | $23 | $17 | 30-45 min |
| Ritz-Carlton, Secret Harbour, Elysian, Cowpet Bay | East End | $27 | $18 | 30-45 min |
Fares: Virgin Islands Taxicab Commission tariff in effect since October 24, 2022, as published by VInow. Not sure which area suits you? Our guide to where to stay in St. Thomas explains each resort’s location.
What extra charges apply?
The tariff adds a few set charges on top of the base fare:
| Charge | Amount |
| Luggage | $3 per bag, per passenger; up to $6 for items over 30 x 20 in |
| Late night (midnight-6 a.m.) | $3 per person |
| Waiting | First 5 minutes free, then $2 per minute |
| Pet kennel | $30 small, $45 large |
| Round trip | Double the one-way fare, plus waiting |
| Exclusive taxi, airport to Red Hook | $135 for 1-4 people; $23 each additional person |
Addresses that are not on the tariff are priced from the nearest listed place. If you think a fare is wrong, ask to see the posted rate card, note the plate number, and contact the Virgin Islands Taxicab Commission (340-774-0828, weekdays 8 a.m.-5 p.m.).
Worked example: a family of four going to the Ritz-Carlton
Four people with four checked bags, landing at 3 p.m.:
- Fare: 4 x $18 = $72
- Luggage: 4 x $3 = $12
- Total: $84, plus a $9 to $13 tip
The same family landing at 1 a.m. pays $12 more for the late-night charge, or $96. A solo traveler with one bag pays $27 + $3 = $30.
Shared taxi or private transfer: which is better?
A shared airport taxi is cheapest for solo travelers and couples going to Charlotte Amalie or the South Shore. A private transfer is better for East End resorts, groups of four or more, late-night arrivals and tight ferry connections, because you leave right away and make no other stops.
| Shared airport taxi | Pre-booked private transfer | |
| Price | Per person, fixed by tariff | Per vehicle, quoted in advance |
| Wait at airport | Until the van fills by direction | Driver is there when you exit |
| Stops | Several drop-offs | Straight to your door |
| Flight delays | Find a new van on arrival | Driver tracks your flight |
| Best for | 1-2 people, nearby hotels, daytime | Families, East End, late flights, villas |
The gap narrows as your group grows. The published exclusive rate from the airport to Red Hook is $135 for up to four people. A shared van for a family of four with four bags would be $80, so going private costs about $55 more for a direct ride with no stops. On online booking platforms, private STT-to-hotel cars were listed from about $119 to $259 per vehicle in October 2026.
VI Oceanfront quotes private transfers in advance, with the price confirmed before you travel. VI Oceanfront’s own rate or range for STT to Charlotte Amalie, South Shore and East End, and vehicle sizes. For more on the different ways to leave the terminal, see our overview of airport transport options at STT.
Step by step: from landing to your hotel lobby
This is the arrival sequence we walk guests through:
- Before you fly, send us your details. Flight number, arrival time, number of people, bags and the full hotel or villa address. Here is what to include when you book a taxi.
- Clear the plane and collect bags. STT is small, so this is usually quick unless several flights land together.
- Walk out past baggage claim. For a shared taxi, go to the dispatcher at the taxi stand. For a VI Oceanfront pickup, your driver meets you on arrival [NEED: exact meeting point and whether drivers hold a name sign].
- Confirm the total and load up. Agree on the total fare, including bags, before departure.
- Ride on the left. St. Thomas drives on the left on steep, winding roads. Your driver handles it; you watch the view.
- Arrive and save your driver’s number. Most guests use the same driver for dinners, beaches and the return trip.
What if you land late, stay in a villa or travel as a group?
These three situations cause most arrival problems, and each has a simple fix.
Late flights. Taxis meet scheduled arrivals, but fewer wait for the last flights of the night. From midnight to 6 a.m. each person also pays the $3 surcharge. If you land after about 10 p.m., pre-book. Some resorts list a limited-hours shuttle; the Westin at Frenchman’s Reef, for example, lists one from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Confirm directly with your hotel.
Villas and rentals. Some St. Thomas driveways are too steep or narrow for a van. A driver may set you down at the road. Ask your host about access before you travel and tell us the vehicle needs to reach the door. does VI Oceanfront use smaller vehicles for villa drop-offs?]
Groups and big luggage. Golf bags, dive gear and strollers can push you into a larger vehicle. Mention them when you book so the right van arrives. For wedding parties and events, see our private car service across the island.
Going straight to St. John? If your hotel is on St. John, ask for the Red Hook ferry terminal ($23 per person, or $17 each for two or more). Our Red Hook ferry to St. John guide covers schedules and timing. If you booked an all-inclusive, check what your package covers in our roundup of all-inclusive resorts on St. Thomas.
Book your St. Thomas airport to hotel transfer
VI Oceanfront Taxi & Tour Service is locally owned and based on Red Hook Road. We track your flight, meet you on arrival, and take you straight to your hotel, villa or the ferry, with the fare agreed before you travel.
- Book online: reserve your airport pickup
- Call or text: +1 (340) 209-7356
- Email: oceanfronttaxiandtours@gmail.com
Learn more about our VI Oceanfront airport transfer service, including return rides to STT.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a taxi from St. Thomas airport to Red Hook?
A shared taxi from Cyril E. King Airport to Red Hook costs $23 for one person or $17 each for two or more, plus $3 per bag. An exclusive taxi for your group is $135 for up to four people.
Are St. Thomas taxi fares per person or per car?
Per person. The Virgin Islands Taxicab Commission sets a rate for each destination, and the per-person rate drops for two or more people in the same party. A quoted fare is not a total for the whole group.
Is there Uber or Lyft at St. Thomas airport?
No. Uber and Lyft do not operate on St. Thomas. Your options are licensed taxis, rental cars, a hotel shuttle where offered, or a pre-booked private transfer.
How long does it take to get from STT to the East End?
Plan on 30 to 45 minutes to Red Hook and East End resorts such as the Ritz-Carlton, Sugar Bay and Margaritaville. Weekday rush hour, cruise days and shared-van stops can add time.
Do St. Thomas taxis accept credit cards?
Some do, but many are cash only. Carry small US bills, and tell the dispatcher or driver before you board if you need to pay by card. [NEED: payment methods VI Oceanfront accepts.]
Should I book my airport transfer in advance?
Book ahead if you land late at night, travel with four or more people, stay on the East End or in a villa, or need to catch a ferry. For a daytime arrival to a nearby hotel, the taxi stand works well.
How much should I tip a taxi driver in St. Thomas?
About 10 to 15% of the fare is customary, more if the driver handles heavy luggage or steep villa access.