Getting Around

By Taxi

Taxis are unmetered, but fares are controlled and widely posted; however, we still recommend that you negotiate a fare (usually per person) with the driver before you get into the car. A typical fare from Charlotte Amalie to Sapphire Beach is $8.50 per person; to the East End about $20 per person. Surcharges, one-third of the price of the excursion, are added after midnight. You'll pay $2 to $4 per bag for luggage. You can easily hail a taxi in Charlotte Amalie, although it's not so easy throughout the island. Reason? The taxis are all waiting for cruise passengers at the dock in Charlotte Amalie. You will more than likely have to call a taxi to pick you up while out on the island. Of course, your hotel can always call one for you. For 24-hour radio-dispatch taxi service, call tel. 340/774-7457. If you want to hire a taxi and a driver (who just may be a great tour guide) for a day, expect to pay about $25 per person for 2 hours of sightseeing in a shared car, or $50 per hour for two to four people.

Taxi vans transport 8 to 12 passengers to multiple destinations on the island. It's cheaper to take a van instead of a taxi if you're going between your hotel and the airport. The cost for luggage ranges from $1 to $2 per bag. Call tel. 340/774-7457 to order a taxi van.

By Bus

Buses, called Vitrans, leave from street-side stops in the center of Charlotte Amalie, fanning out east and west along all of the most important highways. They run between 5:30am and 9pm daily, but waits can be very long and this is a difficult way to get about. A ride within Charlotte Amalie is 75¢; a ride to anywhere else is $1. The Fortuna buses are run by Vitrans and have no set schedule. A ride from Charlotte Amalie to Brewers Bay or Lindbergh Beach is $6 to $8 per person. For schedule and bus-stop information, call tel. 340/774-5678.

By Car

St. Thomas has many leading North American car-rental firms at the airport, and competition is stiff. Before you go, compare the rates of the "big three": Avis (tel. 800/331-1212 or 340/774-1468; www.avis.com), Budget (tel. 800/472-3325 or 340/776-5774; www.budgetstt.com), and Hertz (tel. 800/654-3131 or 340/774-1879; www.hertz.com). You can often save money by renting from a local agency, although vehicles sometimes aren't as well-maintained. Try Dependable Car Rental, 3901 B Altona, Welgunst, behind the Bank of Nova Scotia and the Medical Arts Complex (tel. 800/522-3076 or 340/774-2253; www.dependablecar.com), which will pick up renters at the airport or their hotel; or the aptly named Discount Car Rental, 14 Harwood Hwy., outside the airport on the main highway (tel. 877/478-2833 or 340/776-4858; www.discountcar.vi), which grants drivers a 12% discount on rivals' rates. There is no tax on car rentals in the Virgin Islands.

Driving Rules -- Always drive on the left. The speed limit is 20 mph in town, 35 mph outside town. Remember, there is often a lot of traffic on the roads going east out of Charlotte Amalie. Take extra caution when driving in St. Thomas, especially at night. Many roads are narrow, curvy, and poorly lit.

Parking -- Because Charlotte Amalie is a labyrinth of congested one-way streets, don't try to drive within town looking for a parking spot. If you can't find a place to park along the Waterfront (free), go to the sprawling lot to the east of Fort Christian, across from the Legislature Building. Parking fees are nominal here, and you can park your car and walk northwest toward Emancipation Park, or along the Waterfront, until you reach the shops and attractions.

On Foot

Trust us: This is the only way to explore the heart of Charlotte Amalie. All the major attractions and main stores are within easy walking distance. However, other island attractions, like Coral World and Magens Bay, require you to take a bus or taxi.