Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
By Boat
Ferry service is a vital link between St. Thomas and St. John; private water taxis also
operate on this route. Launch services link Red Hook, on the East End of St.
Thomas, with both Charlotte Amalie in St. Thomas and Cruz Bay in St. John.
Sea-
borne Airlines
(
&
866/359-8784;
www.seaborneairlines.com) makes the trips
between St. Thomas and St. Croix.
In the B.V.I., ferries and private boats link Road Town, Tortola, with the island's
West End; there's also service to and from Virgin Gorda and some of the smaller
islands, such as Anegada and Jost Van Dyke. However, on some of the really remote
islands, boat service may be only once a week. Many of the private islands, such as
Peter Island, provide launches from Tortola.
You can travel by ferry from Charlotte Amalie, on St. Thomas, to West End and Road
Town on Tortola, a 45-minute voyage. Boats making this run include
Native Son
(
&
284/495-4617;
www.nativesonferry.com) and
Smith's Ferry Service
(
&
284/
495-4495;
www.smithsferry.com).
Inter-Island Boat Services
(
&
284/495-4166
)
brings passengers from St. John to the West End on Tortola.
For details on specific ferry connections, including sample fares, see the “Getting
Around” sections of the individual island chapters.
By Car
A rented car is often the best way to get around each of the Virgin Islands. Just
remember the most important rule: In both the U.S. and the British Virgin Islands,
you must drive on the left.
All the major car-rental companies are represented in the U.S. Virgin Islands,
including
Avis
(
&
800/331-1212;
www.avis.com),
Budget
(
&
800/626-4516;
www.budget.com), and
Hertz
(
&
800/654-3131;
www.hertz.com); many local
agencies also compete in the car-rental market (for detailed information, see the
“Getting Around” sections in individual island chapters). On St. Thomas and St.
Croix, you can pick up most rental cars at the airport. On St. John, there are car-
rental stands at the ferry dock. Cars are sometimes in short supply during the high
season, so reserve as far in advance as possible.
Parking lots in the U.S. Virgin Islands can be found in Charlotte Amalie, on St.
Thomas, and in Christiansted, on St. Croix (in Frederiksted, you can generally park
on the street). Most hotels, except those in the congested center of Charlotte Amalie,
have free parking lots.
In the British Virgin Islands, many visitors don't even bother renting a car, mainly
because taxi service is adequate, but also because they'll have to drive on the left
along roads that can be hairy when they exist at all—some of the roads are like roller-
coaster rides. To rent a car on the B.V.I., you must purchase a local driver's license
for $10 from police headquarters or a car-rental desk in town; and you must be at
least 25 years old. Major U.S. companies are represented in these islands, and there
are many local companies as well.
Note:
There are no car-rental agencies at the air-
ports on Tortola or Virgin Gorda. Vehicles come in a wide range of styles and prices,
including Jeeps, Land Rovers, mini mokes, and even six- to eight-passenger Suzukis.
Weekly rates are usually slightly cheaper.
GASOLINE
There are plenty of service stations on St. Thomas, especially on the
outskirts of Charlotte Amalie and at strategic points in the north and in the more
congested East End. On St. Croix, most gas stations are in Christiansted, but there
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