Cyril E. King Airport sits on the western end of St. Thomas, close to Charlotte Amalie but a longer ride from the popular East End resorts and the Red Hook ferry terminal. Taxi rates are regulated by the Virgin Islands Taxicab Commission, so pricing is more predictable than you might expect.
Shared taxi and safari van rates
The taxi commission publishes fixed per-person rates for shared rides. These apply to the open-air safari vans and shared sedan taxis. In 2026, expect roughly:
- Charlotte Amalie (town center): $9-$12 per person
- Havensight (cruise port area): $8-$10 per person
- Frenchman's Reef / Marriott area: $10-$14 per person
- Bolongo Bay: $12-$15 per person
- Red Hook (St. John ferry): $15-$18 per person
- East End (Ritz-Carlton, Secret Harbour, Elysian): $16-$20 per person
- Magens Bay area: $12-$15 per person
Private transfer rates
A pre-booked private transfer charges per vehicle, not per person. This makes them more economical for couples and groups:
- Charlotte Amalie: $15-$30
- Havensight: $15-$25
- Frenchman's Reef area: $25-$40
- Red Hook: $35-$55
- East End resorts: $45-$60
- North Side (Magens Bay): $30-$45
When shared is cheaper, when private is cheaper
For a solo traveler going to Charlotte Amalie, the shared taxi at $10 is clearly cheaper than a $25 private transfer. But for a family of four heading to Red Hook, shared taxi rates would be $60-$72 total (4 x $15-$18), while a private transfer is $35-$55. The math shifts quickly.
Additional costs to consider
If you are catching the St. John ferry from Red Hook, factor in the ferry ticket ($7-$13 per person each way) and a taxi on the St. John side ($7-$20 depending on where your accommodation is). The total door-to-door cost from STT airport to a Cruz Bay hotel on St. John can reach $50-$80 per person between taxi, transfer, and ferry.
Nighttime surcharges
The taxi commission allows a small surcharge for rides after 9 PM, typically $2-$5 per ride. Private transfer services may or may not apply a night fee. Check when booking.
The bottom line
St. Thomas is small, so no ride from the airport takes more than 45 minutes. The cost difference between options is modest. A private transfer to an East End resort saves families real money compared to per-person shared fares, and the comfort of an enclosed, air-conditioned vehicle after a long flight is worth the small premium over a safari van.