You'll be herded like cattle to the taxis when you get to the island. Don't be alarmed; they look nothing like taxis. The first time I was there we got into some dude's beat up car and he took us to the grocery store, waited while we shopped, then dropped us at the ferry. That's just how they roll down there.

Anyway, you can definitely catch a "van" taxi, which is air conditioned (you'll need some cooling down at that point) and which usually makes 1-5 stops at different hotels depending on how many groups are on board. Keep a ferry schedule in your carry-on bag and pay attention to the time. You'll want to note the Charlotte Amalie to Cruz Bay schedule, as well as the Red Hook to Cruz Bay schedule. Don't necessarily decide on which ferry to take until you have your bags in hand. Stand in the herd for the taxi and when the three or four random taxi drivers run up to the herd and ask where everyone is going, efficiently and assertively tell them which dock and what ferry you are trying to catch: "Charlotte Amalie, 1:00 ferry"...something like that. They tend to group people going to the same area. Verify with the driver when he gets into the van that he's headed in your direction...it's probably not necessary, but it doesn't hurt. If you get in the van and you feel like you're cutting it close on time while the driver makes a bunch of random stops dropping others off, just gently remind him that you need to catch that "1:00" ferry. Personally I prefer taking the longer taxi drive to Red Hook because it's only a 20 minute ferry to St. John. Plus, the Charlotte Amalie ferry usually seems to leave every two hours and the Red Hook's hourly departure just fits better into our schedule. For Charlotte Amalie, you can probably make it from the airport to the ferry dock in 15 minutes...just verify that with the driver. For Red Hook, try to allow 30-45 minutes because you never know how many stops you'll have to make prior to getting there....could be three, could be none.

Now, once you're at the ferry dock, watch your bags. People will try to come and load them up onto carts for you, but they are just looking for tips. If you don't feel like holding your bags, by all means, hand them over. However, I would recommend you carry them until the people on the ferry tell you that you can't take them any further. Once on the ferry, think of it like the airplane: you must check your large bags and can carry on the smaller ones. I think when you buy your ferry tickets you buy baggage tickets, too, so you'll be prepared before you board.

When you get to St. John, there will be more of the same: people will offer to take your bags to the end of the dock for you, there will be more taxis lined up, etc. If you are renting a car, I would recommend only the drivers head over to the car rental company (which is within walking distance of the dock), while the rest of your party waits with the bags. If you're taking a taxi, then it doesn't matter.

Anyone staying at the Westin or Caneel, it's probably worth paying for the transfer service offered by the hotel to avoid the hassle of the taxi/ferry situation. These resorts take your bags when you check in at the airport, and you don't see them again until you get to your room at the resort...makes traveling soooo much easier.

oops....here is a link to ferry prices:

http://www.stjohnusvi.com/ferry.html

These prices seem to change a lot, but should hopefully be within $1 or so of what is listed.

taxi:
https://www.vinow.com/stthomas/getting_around_stt/taxi_stt/

Basically the cost is going to be the same, regardless of which ferry you take. It's about $20/person each direction when you include taxi and ferry. Checked bags are $3/each, and if you want help handling them, add a tip.

And again, don't rely on these rates. Taxi drivers down there hate that these are on the internet because they aren't always current. Each driver will have a list of rates in his vehicle and many times this list is posted in plain sight. If he's asking for $1-$2 more than you saw on the website, then chances are that the rates increased. Don't argue with him, it will get you nowhere...trust me. Just be happy.

Do you pay the $3/bag for your carry-on bags too?

Nope...just for your "checked" bags.

Just FYI... we wanted to make a run to catch a certain ferry leaving from Red Hook and so our group of four ask for one of the van taxi's for just the four of us and we payed the extra not to have to stop at all the hotels going across STT. It was definitely the right choice for us and not that much more than we would have paid since there were four of us.

That's a great idea! If you're nice to the drivers and tip, they are very accomodating.

I like the down town ferry if I don't have to wait to long to catch it the ride is pretty and a little longer but it's about the same length as the taxi ride plus ferry ride to red hook. we get dropped off from the taxi at drakes passage which is across the road from the ferry dock grab a couple of beers at the bar there in cans they won't let you have glass on board and sit back on the ferry and get into island time.