St. Thomas taxi rates are fixed by the Virgin Islands Taxicab Commission, not metered. You pay per person by destination, with a lower per-person rate for two or more people in the same party. The tariff in force in 2026 took effect October 24, 2022: most trips cost $6 to $27 per person, plus set extras.
Key takeaways
- There is no separate “2026 tariff.” The October 2022 rate card is still the legal schedule.
- A quoted fare is per person. A family of four pays four fares, not one.
- Luggage is $3 a bag, and every passenger pays $3 more between midnight and 6 a.m.
- Waiting costs $2 a minute after five free minutes, so never ask a taxi to wait at the beach.
- For a family of four, hiring a car by the hour can cost less than the per-person tour rate.
On this page: How the tariff works · Fares for popular routes · Extra charges · Tours and hourly hire · Worked examples · Private vs shared · Checking a fare · FAQ
How do St. Thomas taxi fares work?
St. Thomas taxis charge a set price per person for each route on an official list. The Virgin Islands Taxicab Commission fixes the maximum rates under Title 20 of the Virgin Islands Code, and drivers must post the card inside the vehicle.
The card is titled Island of St. Thomas Motor Vehicles For Hire Official Minimum/Maximum Rates. “Minimum/maximum” matters: a driver can be cited for charging more than the card, and also for undercutting it. Nobody, including a taxi association, may set special rates without Commission approval.
Three rules decide almost every fare:
- Per person, by destination. Each route has two prices: one for a solo rider, and a lower one each for two or more.
- “Two or more” means your own party. Strangers sharing the same van do not unlock the group rate for each other.
- Same price either direction. Town to Magens Bay costs what Magens Bay to town costs.
Anywhere not on the card is priced from the nearest listed place on your route. If your villa sits between two listed estates, ask the driver which one they are using before you set off.
Taxis are only one way to move around. Our complete guide to getting around St. Thomas compares them with safari buses, rental cars and ferries.
Are these really the 2026 rates?
Yes. As of November 2026, the St. Thomas tariff that took effect on October 24, 2022 is still the official schedule. Sites advertising “2026 taxi rates” list the same 2022 numbers.
That 2022 schedule was the first general increase in more than 15 years, after years of rising operating costs. If a blog or guidebook quotes noticeably lower fares, it is almost certainly using the pre-2022 card.
One separate change: the shared “dollar ride” safari on the main road now costs $2, after the Commission approved the increase in 2024. Dollar rides are not part of the per-destination taxi tariff.
How much is a taxi in St. Thomas? Fares for popular routes
Most St. Thomas taxi trips cost $6 to $18 per person for two or more, and up to $27 for a solo rider. Short hops inside Charlotte Amalie are $6; cross-island runs to the East End or north shore cost the most.
| Route (either direction) | 1 person | 2+ (each) |
| Within Charlotte Amalie town limits | $6 | $6 |
| Charlotte Amalie – Yacht Haven / West Indian Dock | $6 | $6 |
| Charlotte Amalie – Drake’s Seat | $11 | $8 |
| Charlotte Amalie – Frenchman’s Reef | $12 | $9 |
| Charlotte Amalie – Magens Bay | $15 | $12 |
| Charlotte Amalie – Bolongo Bay | $15 | $12 |
| Charlotte Amalie – Mountain Top | $17 | $12 |
| Charlotte Amalie – Coki Point | $18 | $14 |
| Charlotte Amalie – Hull Bay | $18 | $12 |
| Charlotte Amalie – Red Hook | $20 | $15 |
| Charlotte Amalie – Ritz-Carlton | $23 | $15 |
| Havensight (WICO dock) – Magens Bay | $15 | $12 |
| Crown Bay – Magens Bay | $18 | $15 |
| Magens Bay – Mountain Top | $15 | $12 |
| Magens Bay – Coki Point | $18 | $14 |
| Red Hook – Magens Bay | $18 | $14 |
| Tutu – Coki Point | $11 | $9 |
Source: VI Taxicab Commission tariff effective October 24, 2022, as republished by VInow. Fares exclude luggage, night and waiting charges.
From Cyril E. King Airport, fares run from $6 (Emerald Beach) to $27 per person (Ritz-Carlton, solo). Red Hook is $23 solo or $17 each for two or more. For the full list by hotel, with drive times, see our airport fares by hotel.
Cruise guests at Havensight or Crown Bay pay the same tariff. Our port-day planning guide for cruise guests covers drive times and how much buffer to leave before all-aboard.
What extra charges can be added to a St. Thomas taxi fare?
Only the extras printed on the tariff can be added. Luggage, late night, waiting, round trips, pets and phone bookings each have a set charge.
| Extra | Official charge |
| Luggage | $3 per bag, per passenger; up to $6 for items over 30 x 20 in |
| Late night (midnight to 6 a.m.) | $3 per person |
| Waiting | First 5 minutes free, then $2 per minute |
| Round trip | Two one-way fares, plus waiting time |
| Taxi called by phone or radio | Solo: fare plus one-third. Groups: $2 more per person |
| Pet in kennel | $30 small kennel, $45 large; seeing-eye dogs free |
| Unlisted destination | Priced from the nearest listed place |
The waiting charge is the one that surprises people. A taxi that waits one hour costs $110 in waiting alone. Arrange a pickup time instead, or hire by the hour.
The phone surcharge also adds up. A solo traveler who calls a taxi from a downtown hotel to Magens Bay pays $15 plus $5, or $20.
How much is a taxi tour or hourly hire in St. Thomas?
An official sightseeing tour costs $75 for one person for 2 hours, or $38 each for two or more. A 3-hour tour is $90 solo or $45 each. Hourly hire for 1–4 passengers is $60 for a sedan or minivan, $83 for a 14-seat van or safari, and $120 for a large safari.
Which is cheaper depends on how many of you there are. The tour rate is per person; the hourly rate is per vehicle.
| Party size | 2-hr tour (per-person rate) | 2 hrs sedan (hourly) | 3-hr tour (per-person rate) | 3 hrs sedan (hourly) |
| 1 | $75 | $120 | $90 | $180 |
| 2 | $76 | $120 | $90 | $180 |
| 3 | $114 | $120 | $135 | $180 |
| 4 | $152 | $120 | $180 | $180 |
For one to three people, the per-person tour is the better deal. At four, two hours of hourly sedan hire saves $32, and at three hours the two prices meet. Rates for five or more on hourly hire are agreed with the operator.
Hourly hire also beats waiting charges. Past about 35 minutes of waiting, $2 a minute costs more than a $60 sedan hour.
If you want a set route with a local guide, our private St. Thomas island tour covers Mountain Top, Drake’s Seat, Magens Bay and Charlotte Amalie.
Worked examples: what real trips cost
These totals use only tariff figures. They show how the rules combine, so you can check any quote.
1. Cruise couple, Havensight to Magens Bay and back, daytime
- Out: 2 x $12 = $24
- Back, with a new taxi at an agreed time: 2 x $12 = $24
- Total: $48
- Same day, but the first taxi waits three hours: $48 + (175 minutes x $2) = $398
2. Family of four, downtown hotel to the Red Hook ferry, taxi called by phone, four bags
- Fare: 4 x $15 = $60
- Phone booking: 4 x $2 = $8
- Luggage: 4 x $3 = $12
- Total: $80
3. Two friends, Charlotte Amalie to Coki Point, back at 12:30 a.m.
- Out (daytime): 2 x $14 = $28
- Back after midnight: 2 x ($14 + $3) = $34
- Total: $62
4. Group of six who want the van to themselves within town
- Exclusive taxi within town limits: $83 for up to four, plus 2 x $11 = $105
The tariff publishes exclusive rates for only two trips: within town limits ($83 for 1–4, 11eachextra)andairporttoRedHook(135 for 1–4, $23 each extra). Other exclusive trips are agreed with the driver before you board.
Shared taxi or private ride: which costs less?
A shared taxi is cheapest for one or two people on a fixed route in daylight. A private ride is better value for groups of four or more, late nights, villa drop-offs and tight ferry or ship times.
| Shared taxi (tariff) | Private, pre-booked ride | |
| How it’s priced | Per person, per route | Per vehicle, quoted in advance |
| When you leave | When the van fills by direction | When you are ready |
| Stops | Other parties dropped first | Straight to your door |
| Best for | 1–2 people, nearby stops, daytime | Families, East End, late hours, tight connections |
Shared vans at the docks and airport often wait to fill. If you have a ferry or all-aboard time, tell the dispatcher before you get in.
For ship days we offer Havensight and Crown Bay pickups, and for arrivals a pre-booked airport transfer with flight tracking.
How do you check a fare and avoid overcharges?
Agree the total before you board, check it against the posted card, and keep the plate number. Licensed taxis carry taxi plates, a lit roof dome or placard when on duty, an on-duty sign, and the driver’s ID on the dashboard.
- Ask one question first: “What is the total for all of us, including bags?”
- Check the card. It must be posted in every licensed taxi. Ask to see it if you cannot.
- Confirm your exact drop-off. The rules say passengers must be set down at the precise location agreed. Steep villa driveways are the usual exception, so mention them when you agree the fare.
- Carry small US bills. Many drivers are cash only; tell them before boarding if you want to pay by card.
- Avoid unlicensed “gypsy” cabs. They follow none of these rules.
To report a problem or a lost item, contact the Virgin Islands Taxicab Commission, St. Thomas/St. John office, 8201 Subbase, Suite 1, (340) 693-4211. Give the plate number, driver’s name, date, time and route.
If you are planning a beach day, our St. Thomas beach guide helps you pick a beach first, then price the ride.
Book a St. Thomas taxi with a fare agreed up front
VI Oceanfront Taxi & Tour Service is locally owned and based on Red Hook Road. Tell us where, when and how many, and we confirm the price before your trip.
Not sure what to send? Here is what to tell a driver when you book. For dinners, weddings or a full day, our private car service keeps one driver with you.
- Book online: reserve your ride
- Call or text: +1 (340) 209-7356
- Email: oceanfronttaxiandtours@gmail.com
Frequently asked questions
Are St. Thomas taxis metered?
No. Fares are fixed per person by destination on the VI Taxicab Commission tariff, posted in every licensed taxi.
Are St. Thomas taxi fares per person or per car?
Per person. Two or more people in the same party each pay the lower group rate. An exclusive taxi for your group costs more.
How much is a taxi from the cruise port to Magens Bay?
From Havensight it is $15 for one person or $12 each for two or more. From Crown Bay it is $18 or $15 each. Add $3 per bag if you carry any.
How much is a taxi from Charlotte Amalie to Red Hook?
$20 for one person or $15 each for two or more, plus luggage. It is $23 or $17 each from the airport.
Do St. Thomas taxis charge more at night?
Yes. Every passenger pays $3 extra between midnight and 6 a.m.
Is there Uber or Lyft on St. Thomas?
No. Use licensed taxis, the $2 dollar-ride safaris on the main road, a rental car or a pre-booked private ride.
How much should I tip a St. Thomas taxi driver?
Most visitors tip 10 to 20%, rounding up on short rides and tipping more for heavy luggage or a long tour.
Will St. Thomas taxi rates go up?
No new tariff had been published as of November 2026. We update this page when the Commission changes the card.