Annie, check the board at the top -getting here-to ferry schedules and I think they have that info. There is a booth at Red Hook I know, probably at CA also- you line up, buy your ticket, have your bags tagged then get on board, handing your big bags to the staff who will store them on the boat and take it off for you at the end of the trip. No, you can't buy tickets in advance, just be there a few minutes before its scheduled to leave, buy and wait to get on board. Don't forget the Red Hook option in case you don't like the CA schedule which isn't as frequent. This board has many messages about CA versus Red Hook so check away!

I loved the ferry ride...a great view of several islands. Enjoy it!

You purchase your tickets when you board. If returning to CA, buy a round trip. You won't have to stand in line coming back.

RL

Will we have enough time to catch a flight at 7:50 am out of St Thomas, if we catch the 6:00am ferry from St John? How far is the airport from where the ferry docks, and is transportation readily available to the airport? Thanks for any input.

Thank you very much for the information. That is exactly what I was looking for.

Hi Jerry.

You can't count on the ferry leaving on time, Red Hook is on the opposite end of the island from the airport, and the traffic here is unpredictable. Also, the airlines "require" passengers to be at the airport two hours before their flight departs and I have seen folks turned away for cutting it too close. Yes, there are plenty of taxis from the dock to the airport but they aren't NYC cabs, they're on island time, and they won't strain themselves to get you to the airport to meet an impossible schedule. In short, I don't think a 6:00 am ferry out of STJ will get you on a 7:50am flight from STT. If you stay your last night at the Best Western you can walk to the airport in the morning.

I have seen several posts about checking baggage on the ferry. What about small roller boards? Do these need to be checked also or we can we just keep them with us on the ferry?

Generally eveything is checked except what fits on your lap (purse, camera, laptop and the like)

Hi Jerry,

When I leave STJ to visit Stateside I allow 3 hours from STJ to the airport. The 6 am ferry will be at Red Hook by 6:20 am if it leaves on time, then 30 mins +/- to the airport - you are now close to 7am only 50 mins before your flight departure time. The unofficial "rules" are you need to be there 2 hours before departure, I have been at the airport when they have turned people away for not being at the check in desk 1 hour 30 mins before their flight (they were there 1 hour 25 mins before !!) as you do have to clear Customs and Immigration and go through security. Now having said that, at that time of day the flights are pretty quiet and it should be fairly easy to proceed without much of a wait, but I personally would not risk it - all it needs is for one of the agents to insist on the "rules" and you are s*** out of luck. Stay at one of the hotels close to the airport the night before so you can relax - who wants to end a vacation with stress.