Saint Thomas Island Cyril E King Airport (STT) sits about two miles west of Charlotte Amalie and serves as one of the busiest airports in the eastern Caribbean. The two-story terminal is easy to navigate, though it gets hectic on heavy travel days - especially during peak season. Pack some patience and bring that relaxed island mindset.
Many travelers fly to STT to visit the island of St. John or even the British Virgin Islands. With inter-island flights, seaplanes, and ferries all in the mix, I’ll go over your options for connecting to your final slice of paradise.
Airlines serving Cyril E King Airport (STT)
Here’s who flies to STT. US carriers include:
American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Frontier, JetBlue, Spirit Airlines, United Airlines, and Sun Country (seasonal)
Cape Air, Silver Airways, Fly the Whale, Sea Flight VI and Seaborne Airlines (seaplane) for interisland flights
International carriers often offer codeshare flights with US partners through connections at a continental US airport.
Arrivals at Saint Thomas Island Cyril E King Airport (STT)
If you’re arriving from an international destination, you’ll clear US Customs & Border Protection at STT. However, if you’re connecting through a US mainland airport, you’ll typically clear customs there instead, which makes arriving in St. Thomas a breeze.
US citizens don’t need a passport for the US Virgin Islands, but I find it’s easier to bring one anyway. Without a passport, you’ll need a government-issued photo ID like a driver’s license or REAL ID, and it’s recommended to also carry a birth certificate. You’ll definitely need a passport to travel to the British Virgin Islands.
Aircraft park on the apron at STT
The STT terminal currently has no jetways (though the upcoming renovation will include them). Most flights use stairs to deplane and you’ll walk across the tarmac to the arrivals area. I find checking luggage easier than taking the stairs with a carry-on.
Baggage claim
You’ll find the baggage claim area in the main terminal building. While you wait for your bags, there are usually refreshments available to get your vacation started right. Welcome to the islands.
Transportation within St. Thomas
If you’re staying at a resort, they’ll likely arrange transportation and may have greeters present at the airport. I recommend checking with the resort in advane.
USVI-licensed taxis are available at the airport. Look for a dome light and the letters TP on their license plates - unlicensed taxis may charge higher rates.
I recommend confirming the rate before you get in to avoid an unpleasant surprise. Many taxi services operate mini-vans, which means you’ll wait for the van to be full unless you’re traveling in a large enough group.
You’ll also make multiple stops as the taxi drops off other passengers. It’s just how the system works here.
You can also rent a car from various providers at the airport. I recommend booking your car rental before you depart for St. Thomas. Cars go very quickly, and you may be disappointed if you wait until you arrive.
An important note about driving in St. Thomas
On St. Thomas Island, cars drive on the left lane. However, they’re imported from the US, so the driver’s column is also on the left. This takes a little getting used to, even if you’ve driven on the left before.
I recommend renting a small car since island roads are narrow and windy. I recommend renting a small car. That way, you won’t have trouble getting through roads and finding parking will be easier. Be sure to get full insurance coverage and take photos or a video of any damage you find when collecting it.
Departures at STT
I recommend arriving at the airport at least three hours before your flight departs, especially if you travel on a Saturday. Returning home from St. Thomas takes patience and planning since you must clear customs before returning to the mainland US. On busy days, the line to customs can reach around the airline check-in area.
Checking in online and traveling with only a carry-on will save you time at the airline counter, but you still have to go through the customs line with everyone else. Check with your airline about the current baggage and customs procedures, as they may vary.
Getting through customs border protection and security at STT
Be prepared for standard customs questions about your purchases and any restricted items. You’ll also need identification for US re-entry - I find a passport is more convenient, though not required for US citizens. Without a passport, you’ll need a government-issued photo ID, and it’s recommended to also have a birth certificate. Global Entry members should check for expedited processing options.
After customs, follow signs for security screening. A TSA PreCheck lane is available to speed things up - check with your airline about their specific procedures.
Departure lounges at St Thomas Island Cyril E King Airport
The main departure lounge for flights to the US is at gates 1-9, while a separate lounge serves inter-island flights at gates 10-11. Currently, there are no airline lounges at STT, but they are part of long-term renovation plans for the airport.
Food, drinks and shopping at STT
While the airport has improved its concessions in recent years, I find the choices are still pretty limited. There are a few bars, food outlets, and shops, but nothing to write home about. My tip is to eat before you head to the airport and do your gift shopping while on the island.
Staying connected at STT
The airport offers free Wi-Fi access after you complete a quick visitor survey. The local service, VIYA, also has some Wi-Fi hotspots available.
Hotels near Saint Thomas Island Cyril E King Airport
The good news is that pretty much all hotels, resorts, and villas on St. Thomas are reasonably close to the airport. The island is only 13 miles long and four miles wide, so you’re never too far away. Your biggest challenge will be traffic during peak times. If you want to stay close, I recommend the beachfront Emerald Beach Resort, which is right on Lindbergh Bay, just like the airport.
Interisland transportation
To get to the neighboring island of St. John, you’ll need to travel by sea, as it has no airport. There are two ferry routes between St. Thomas and St. John. The shortest route is between Red Hook on St. Thomas and Cruz Bay on St. John and takes around 20 minutes.
The longer ferry route takes about 45 minutes and departs from downtown Charlotte Amalie to Cruz Bay.
Here’s the thing - getting to Red Hook from the airport can take 30-45 minutes by taxi, so you’re not really saving time with the shorter ferry. The Charlotte Amalie Ferry terminal is closer to the airport, making it the more convenient option despite the longer crossing.
Ferry schedules can change seasonally - the Charlotte Amalie to Cruz Bay ferry typically runs at 10:00 am, 3:00 pm, and 5:30 pm, while the Red Hook ferry has more frequent service throughout the day. I always recommend checking the latest departure times online before you go. If you do take a taxi to Red Hook, ask the driver to take the inland route to save some time.
St. Croix is further out and has its own airport, so you can fly there directly, though there are fewer flights available. There is also a ferry service between the islands. For a treat, I recommend trying the seaplane. It’s a memorable experience you can catch from the Charles F. Blair Jr. Seaplane Terminal in downtown Charlotte Amalie, with Seaborne Airlines providing the service.
You can also visit the British Virgin Islands by ferry from St. Thomas, or book an inter-island flight to get to Puerto Rico.
Renovations at STT
The airport terminal currently handles more than five times the passenger volume it was originally designed for - over 1.65 million passengers annually. Active redevelopment plans aim to significantly improve the passenger experience, including terminal expansion and the addition of jet bridges. In the meantime, I find it’s best to pack your patience and embrace a relaxed island mindset. After all, you’re in a beautiful destination, and there’s no point in stressing over a little airport crowding.
This KAYAK-commissioned article is presented as-is, for general informational purposes only, and may not be up-to-date. The opinions contained in the article are original to the author and reflect their authentic experience, which may vary significantly from the experience of others.
