The Red Hook to Cruz Bay ferry takes about 20 minutes; Charlotte Amalie to Cruz Bay takes about 45 minutes.
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Most visitors should plan on 20 minutes on the water from Red Hook to Cruz Bay, which is the normal answer behind the ferry from St. Thomas to St. John. The longer downtown Charlotte Amalie route takes about 45 minutes, and a car ferry from Red Hook usually takes about 20 to 25 minutes.
The dock matters more than the boat. Red Hook is on the east end of St. Thomas and runs the shortest, most frequent public passenger route into Cruz Bay, the main ferry landing on St. John.
After you know your dock, compare the ferry, transfer, and arrival options in one place:
The 20-Minute Route Most Travelers Should Use
The Red Hook to Cruz Bay passenger ferry is the shortest normal route from St. Thomas to St. John. The crossing itself takes about 20 minutes, before taxi time, ticketing, boarding, or luggage handling.
Red Hook works well if you are landing at Cyril E. King Airport (STT), staying on the east side of St. Thomas, or trying to reach St. John with the least time on the water. Airport-to-Red Hook taxi rides often take 30 to 40 minutes depending on traffic and shared-van stops, so a realistic airport-to-Cruz Bay plan is closer to 75 to 100 minutes door to dock.
- Shortest ferry ride: Red Hook to Cruz Bay, about 20 minutes.
- Most useful arrival point: Cruz Bay, near taxis, restaurants, and the Virgin Islands National Park visitor center.
- Most common mistake: counting only the water crossing and forgetting the St. Thomas taxi ride.
How Long Is Each Ferry Route?
Each St. Thomas to St. John ferry route ends in or near Cruz Bay, but the ride time changes by departure dock. Red Hook is the time-saver, Charlotte Amalie is the downtown choice, and Crown Bay only makes sense when its limited departures line up with your arrival.
Charlotte Amalie can be easier if you are already downtown or near a cruise pier, because it avoids the road ride across St. Thomas. Red Hook still wins for frequency, especially if you are arriving late in the day.
St. Thomas To St. John Ferry Time: Every Route Compared
St. Thomas to St. John ferry time changes most when your starting dock changes. Use the table as a planning estimate, then check the operator schedule before you leave for the dock.
| Route Or Choice | Time To Plan | Rough Cost And Fit |
|---|---|---|
| Red Hook passenger ferry to Cruz Bay | About 20 minutes on water | $8.15 non-resident adult one-way; most frequent route |
| Charlotte Amalie passenger ferry to Cruz Bay | About 45 minutes on water | About $13 non-resident adult one-way; useful from downtown |
| Crown Bay passenger ferry to Cruz Bay | About 35 minutes on water | Often around $20 one-way; limited departures when running |
| Red Hook car ferry to St. John | About 20 to 25 minutes on water | Vehicle fares often run about $65 one-way, depending on operator |
| STT airport to Red Hook plus ferry | About 75 to 100 minutes total | Good default after a flight; add taxi time before the ferry |
| Downtown Charlotte Amalie plus ferry | About 60 to 75 minutes total | Works if the downtown ferry departure is near your timing |
| Late arrival on St. Thomas | Depends on the last ferry | Red Hook usually gives the strongest chance of same-night travel |
The Virgin Islands Department of Public Works lists the St. Thomas-St. John passenger ferry page with Red Hook to Cruz Bay service from 5:30am to 10:00pm and a trip time of about 20 minutes.
What To Add Before Boarding
Your full transfer time is longer than the ferry ride because St. Thomas ground travel sits before the boat. A safe plan adds taxi time, a ticket line, and a boarding buffer.
For a normal passenger trip, arrive at the dock at least 15 to 20 minutes before departure. For a car ferry, arrive closer to 30 minutes early because vehicle loading, lane order, and operator-specific tickets add friction.
Bag fees can apply when your luggage is too large to sit in your lap, and ferry staff may screen bags before boarding. Carry small cash, a government-issued photo ID, and the name of your St. John accommodation so the taxi dispatcher in Cruz Bay can place you in the right vehicle after arrival.
Taking A Car Across
The car ferry makes sense only if you already need a vehicle on St. John for beaches, villa stays, or repeated trips beyond Cruz Bay. Passenger ferry plus taxis is simpler for a one-day visit to Cruz Bay or the North Shore beaches.
Car ferries use Red Hook on St. Thomas and arrive at the vehicle dock near Cruz Bay on St. John. Tickets are usually company-specific, so a round-trip ticket can lock you into the same operator on the return.
If you are deciding before your trip whether to rent on St. Thomas and bring the car over, compare car options before building your ferry plan:
Where To Stay After The Ferry Arrives
Cruz Bay is the easiest place to stay if ferry timing matters because the passenger dock, taxis, restaurants, and many boat trips sit close together. Coral Bay is quieter and more spread out, so it works better with a rental car and extra travel time after the ferry.
Day-trippers can land in Cruz Bay and go straight to taxis for Trunk Bay, Cinnamon Bay, or Hawksnest Beach. Overnight travelers should pick lodging with the return ferry in mind, because early flights out of STT often require a dawn taxi-and-ferry combo.
For hotels and vacation stays near the ferry landing, compare Cruz Bay and nearby St. John options on a map:
Choose The Route That Matches Your Trip
The right St. Thomas to St. John ferry route depends on where you start, how much luggage you carry, and whether you are bringing a car. Red Hook is the default for speed, Charlotte Amalie can save road time from downtown, and the car ferry belongs to travelers who need their vehicle after landing.
- For speed: choose Red Hook to Cruz Bay and plan about 20 minutes on the ferry.
- For a downtown St. Thomas start: choose Charlotte Amalie to Cruz Bay if the schedule lines up.
- For a rental car: use the Red Hook car ferry and arrive early for loading.
- For a same-day return: check the last Cruz Bay departure before you leave St. Thomas.
- For an early flight home: stay near Cruz Bay or Red Hook the night before if timing is tight.
For most visitors, the clean plan is taxi to Red Hook, passenger ferry to Cruz Bay, then taxi from the dock on St. John. Count about 20 minutes for the ferry itself, but give the whole move from STT airport to Cruz Bay at least 75 minutes when the island is busy.
References & Sources
- Virgin Islands Department of Public Works.“Ferries.”Lists the official St. Thomas-St. John passenger ferry route, Red Hook schedule, fares, and stated crossing time.