flight time

[claraclyde]

We want to visit St. John but have a return flight problem. Our flight leaves St. Thomas at 8:15 am. We would have to take a 4 am ferry from St. John, plus a 1 hr. taxi drive to airport to arrive 2 hrs. in advance of flight. Do ferries even run that early - are there any suggestions

[byado18]

Spend your last night on STT.

[bevm]

We have a similar dilemma. We have an 8:32 flight. We've been told it's doable if we get the 6AM ferry (It's the earliest ferry running to Red Hook), and do carry-on luggage only. We'll also have our customs declaration form filled out when we get to the airport. It will be cutting it very close though.

[Marcia (Mrs. Pete)]

I am a nervous traveler so I would definitely stay on STT the night before. There are some really neat places to stay...if you choose this option, flip over to the St. Thomas forum here and ask about hotels.

[Pia]

I would not risk an 8:15am flight - too close.

I have taken an 8:30am but given you need to be fully checked in 60 mins before flight time (doesn't matter if you have checked in on line if you have luggage that needs to be tagged as that needs to be tagged a full 60 mins before or you are not going) and I have arrived at the STT airport as late as 7:10am when on the 6am ferry (first STJ ferry btw) I feel 8:15 is not worth the risk.

Best bet to stay on STT the night before - try The Crystal Palace or the Best Western Emerald Beach which is at the airport.

Pia

[FinsUp]

Using a porter is definitely the way to go if there is any sort of customs line. It will. Be the best spent dollars on your vacation.

[Jumbiegirl]

We always take a private ferry out of Cruz Bay around 5:30 am or so to get that flight. We'd rather do that than stay our last night on St Thomas.

[stampede chuck]

We had an 8:15 am flight 2 weeks ago tomorrow, so took the ferry back on Sunday and spent the night at the Mafolie Hotel on St Thomas. It was nice to relax and have a nice dinner there. Would love to have spent our last night on St John, but didn't want to risk it and have to rush around in a panic in the morning. Got to the airport just after 6:00 am, did not hire a porter as there was no check in line to speak of, and hardly anyone going through customs and security. We were through and sitting down by 6:15 ...

... and then found out the flight was delayed 2 1/2 hours. When we finally boarded they finally told us that the pilot became sick overnight, so they had to fly another one in from San Juan to take us to Miami. And that was just the start of a very long day!!

[traveler22]

If you decide to stay on St Thomas the night before, you can walk to the airport from the Best Western Carib Beach, BW Emerald beach is a little farther down the road and cost more.