Getting from Puerto Rico to St. Thomas

Puerto Rico is a very popular Caribbean destination, especially for US citizens who don’t need to worry about having a passport when they travel. It’s also a very good base for exploring the other Caribbean islands and the near-by US Virgin Islands are one of the popular destinations for those looking to do some island hopping.

The capital of USVI, Charlotte Amalie is located on St. Thomas and the majority of travelers prefer to choose this island when they first arrive in the USVI.

There are two ways of getting from Puerto Rico to St. Thomas: by plane or by ferry. Choosing the right one for you depends on your travel plans, time and budget.

Should you add Puerto Rico to your RTW trip?

By plane

The main airport in Puerto Rico is called Aeropuerto Internacional Luis Muñoz Marín (SJU) and is located in San Juan. It’s one of the most important Caribbean hubs, providing links to all other islands.

USVI are served by two airports: Cyril E. King Airport (code: STT) on St. Thomas and Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (STX) on St. Croix. Both receive flights from Puerto Rico.

Cape Air and American Airlines offer non-stop flights between Puerto Rico and St. Thomas during the off season. The travel time is only 32-34 min. During the off season, the prices are between US$99 and US$159 per person one way, economy class, depending on the hour of departure and airline. The cheapest RT non-stop flight costs US$197 per person. (Just as information, it’s more expensive to fly into St. Croix. )

To save money on your ticket, choose to fly on weekdays and either early in the morning or late at night. If you plan to travel during the high season, book your ticket in advance.

Read more information on:

>>Flights to Puerto
>>Flights to USVI

By ferry

There are ferries between Puerto Rico and St. Thomas. The journey takes 2 hours and the roundtrip ticket costs US$80 per person. There’s only one departure per week however.

Ferries depart from Fajardo, Puerto Rico every Saturday at 8 a.m. If you need to get from St. Thomas to Puerto Rico, ferries depart every Saturday at 5 p.m. Reservations are required.

Other related information:

>>Best US Virgin Islands – which island is best for you?
>>Where to stay in the USVI
>>Best beaches in the USVI
>>Best beaches in Puerto Rico
>>Puerto Rico Resorts