How to Get Around St. John: Jeep Rentals, Taxis and Island Transportation

St. John is small in mileage and demanding in terrain. Roads climb, curve, and narrow. A villa can sit several steep turns above the main route. Taxis are easiest near the Cruz Bay ferry and less spontaneous at remote houses.

Transportation comparison

Passenger ferries

Red Hook – Cruz Bay

The primary passenger ferry between St. Thomas and St. John, with departures roughly every hour, daily, year-round. The crossing takes about 20 minutes.

One-way fares:

Charlotte Amalie – Cruz Bay

Seasonal service, generally November through May, with three departures daily. The crossing takes about 45 minutes. It suits travelers staying in town on St. Thomas or arriving by cruise ship.

One-way fares:

Schedules can shift seasonally, so confirm departure times before planning a tight flight connection.

Rental vehicle

Rent a suitable vehicle for Coral Bay, East End, mid-island villas, trailheads, repeated grocery trips, and full schedule control. Most rental fleets on St. John are Jeeps and small SUVs, which handle the steep grades on North Shore Road (Route 20) and the Centerline Road (Route 10) climb toward Coral Bay better than a low-clearance sedan.

Driving rules:

• Drive on the left.
• Use seat belts.
• Do not use a handheld phone while driving.
• Keep the passenger responsible for navigation.
• Use lower gears on steep descents.
• Complete the first cross-island drive in daylight.

Ask the accommodation which vehicle can handle the final driveway.

Parking realities

Central Cruz Bay has limited parking, and it fills quickly around the ferry dock, Mongoose Junction, and Wharfside Village during midday and at ferry arrival times. Restaurants and shops outside the town core — including those on Centerline Road — generally offer on-site parking, which is one reason a mid-island stop can be less stressful than parking in town. In Coral Bay, parking is informal and mostly roadside; leave enough room for other vehicles to pass on the narrow shoulders.

Car ferry (the barge)

Vehicles cross between Cruz Bay (Enighed Pond) and Red Hook on car barges. Love City Car Ferry is the main car-and-passenger operator, with a crossing of roughly 20–30 minutes.

Current pricing:

The barge runs daily. Typical departures:

Confirm that the St. Thomas rental company permits the vehicle to travel to St. John and provides support there. For most visitors, renting on St. John is simpler and cheaper than barging a vehicle over.

Shared taxis and safari trucks

St. John taxis charge by destination and passenger count rather than by meter, and many operate as open-air "safari trucks" — flatbed trucks fitted with bench seating, a common and normal sight on the island rather than a novelty. The current published group rates from Cruz Bay include $8 per person to Hawksnest, $9 to Trunk, $12 to Maho, $15 to Coral Bay, and $21 to Salt Pond. Confirm the total, luggage, waiting, private-service, and late-night charges before boarding.

Safari trucks and shared taxis typically run fixed beach routes rather than flexible stops, so they suit a beach day better than a mid-island restaurant visit or an errand run.

Private taxis

Use a reserved private vehicle for weddings, large families, special dinners, mobility needs, and events involving alcohol. Arrange the return at the same time as the outbound trip.

VITRAN bus

The official regular fare is $2, with free qualifying senior and disability fares and a $1.50 student fare.

St. John routes include Cruz Bay, Coral Bay, Salt Pond, Adrian, and Chocolate Hole corridors. The bus is not a frequent North Shore beach shuttle.

Beginning July 27, 2026, temporary slow-season departures from Cruz Bay were reduced to 6 AM, 8:20 AM, and 10:20 AM. This schedule is dynamic and must be replaced when DPW updates service.

Walking

Central Cruz Bay is walkable. Most island roads are not. Do not plan to walk from town to the Westin, North Shore beaches, or Coral Bay because the map distance appears short.

Water taxis and charter transport

Use a water taxi when public ferry times do not fit a flight, a group can divide the cost, or direct marina service is valuable. Weather still controls safe operation. For groups planning a boat charter rather than a point-to-point transfer, Quest VI functions like an Airbnb for USVI charters, listing local operators and top-rated providers so you can compare pickup points in Cruz Bay or Coral Bay before booking.

Reaching Drifters

Drifters is on Centerline Road rather than central Cruz Bay, roughly 15 minutes east of town and within the drive between Cruz Bay and Coral Bay. Drivers have on-site parking. Non-drivers should arrange the taxi and return pickup, since Centerline Road is not on a frequent VITRAN or safari-truck loop. See our Cruz Bay to Coral Bay food stop guide for route timing.