Transportation in the United States Virgin Islands

File:St Thomas Street Sign.jpg

A street sign reminding drivers to drive on the left.

The United States Virgin Islands (USVI) is the only place under United States jurisdiction where the rule of the road is to drive on the left. However, virtually all passenger vehicles are left hand drive due to imports of U.S. vehicles.

Land

Cars drive on the left hand side of the road, but nearly all the automobiles on the island have left-side steering columns. Due to the terrain, roads are often narrow, steep, and take with sharp turns. They tend to be poorly surfaced.

Roadways

The USVI have Template:Convert of roadways, about Template:Convert of public roads and Template:Convert of private roads. Most public roads are two-lane and are paved with asphalt or concrete. There are few shoulders. Guts (culverts) and retaining walls help prevent flooding and landslides. Private roads are often unpaved or semi-paved. <ref name="usvi_hrtr">Template:Cite web</ref>

Public transportation and taxis

File:Virgin Islands Transit (VITRAN) public bus.jpg

Virgin Islands Transit public bus

Virgin Islands Transit (VITRAN) public buses run between the main towns and areas of local interest (not tourist destinations). Privately owned "dollar ride" or "dollar run" taxi buses stop at or near many bus stops. They follow a predefined route, but do not follow a regular schedule. It is often possible to get off anywhere along their route. These buses charge a flat rate for the trip, either $1 or $2.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

File:Safari bus.jpg

Safari bus

File:Taxi, Saint Thomas.jpg

Enclosed van taxi

Nearly all taxis are shared taxis, either enclosed vans or open-air "safaris", that go to destinations that are most convenient for tourists (e.g., hotels, beaches, docks, airports, sightseeing tours). They are not metered and are required by law to charge a flat fare that varies by destination. However, private taxis can be booked online to avoid delays or shared space.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Air

Many flights connect the islands to the U.S. mainland. Flights also operate between Saint Thomas and Saint Croix, and from both of them to other islands in the Caribbean.

Airports

Template:Main Two international airports serve the islands:<ref name="cia-fb" />

• Henry E. Rohlsen International Airport (Saint Croix)
• Cyril E. King International Airport (Saint Thomas)

There are no airports on Saint John or Water Island.

Seaplane bases

There are also two seaplane bases:

• Charlotte Amalie Harbor Seaplane Base (St. Thomas)
• Christiansted Harbor Seaplane Base (St. Croix)

Sea

Cruise ships

About two million people visit the U.S. Virgin Islands by cruise ship each year.<ref name="cia-fb">Template:Cite web</ref>

On Saint Thomas, large cruise ships dock at the West Indian Company Dock (WICO), Havensight and the Austin "Babe" Monsanto Marine Facility in Crown Bay (Subbase). Cruise ships can also anchor in the Charlotte Amalie Harbor and tender to Waterfront; mini-cruise ships can dock at the Waterfront.<ref name="viport">Template:Cite web</ref>

On Saint Croix, cruise ships arrive at the Ann E. Abramson Marine Facility in Frederiksted. Mini-cruise ships can also dock at Gallows Bay near Christiansted.<ref name="viport" />

On Saint John, mini-cruise ships arrive in Cruz Bay.<ref name="vinow-cruise">Template:Cite web</ref>

Ferries

The two main ferry terminals on Saint Thomas are The Edward Wilmoth Blyden IV Marine Terminal in Charlotte Amalie and the Urman Victor Fredericks Marine Terminal in Red Hook.<ref name="usvi_hrtr" />

The ferry terminal for Saint Croix is at The Gallows Bay Dock.<ref name="usvi_hrtr" />

On Saint John, passenger ferries enter at The Loredon Lawrence Boynes Sr. Dock while The Theovald Eric Moorehead Dock and Terminal at Enighed Pond.Template:Clarify<ref name="usvi_hrtr" />

Water Island has a small dock at Phillips Landing.<ref name="vinow-ferry">Template:Cite web</ref>

There are many and frequent inter-island ferries. Cruz Bay, Saint John can be reached from Charlotte Amalie and Red Hook on Saint Thomas. Car barges also run between Cruz Bay and Red Hook. Water Island can be reached from Crown Bay, Saint Thomas. There is a once daily ferry between Charlotte Amalie and Gallows Bay, Saint Croix. International ferries also run between Saint Thomas, Saint John, and the neighboring British Virgin Islands.<ref name="vinow-ferry" />

Cargo

On Saint Thomas, cargo vessels are served by the Crown Bay Cargo Port.<ref name="viport" />

On Saint Croix, cargo vessels are served by The Gallows Bay Dock near Christiansted and the Wilfred "Bomba" Allick Port and Transshipment Center (Containerport) in Krause Lagoon.<ref name="viport" />

On Saint John, cargo vessels are served by the Victor William Sewer Marine Facility (The Creek) and the Theovald Eric Moorehead Dock and Terminal.<ref name="viport" />

Other

There are numerous marinas and anchorages in the USVI. Vessels entering the islands must proceed directly to a port of entry for clearance before passengers and crew go ashore.<ref name="vinow-marinas">Template:Cite web</ref>

Additional ports, marinas, and anchorage sites include:

• Saint Thomas
  • American Yacht Harbor<ref name="vinow-marinas" />
  • Benner Bay<ref name="vinow-marinas" />
  • Frenchtown
  • Yacht Haven Marina<ref name="vinow-marinas" />
• Saint Croix
  • The Gordon A. Finch Molasses Pier<ref name="viport" />
  • Green Cay Marina<ref name="vinow-marinas" />
  • Limetree Bay (formerly Hovensa)<ref name="cia-fb" />
• Saint John
  • Coral Bay<ref name="vinow-marinas" />
  • Chocolate Hole<ref name="vinow-marinas" />

Customs

Although a U.S. territory, the USVI are maintained as a "free port" in a separate customs zone. Travelers to the continental United States and Puerto Rico need to pre-clear U.S. customs and present a passport or proof of U.S. citizenship or nationality. The immigration status of non-U.S. citizens may be checked during this process as well.