North America > 🇻🇮 U.S. Virgin Islands
The city by city Car or no Car advice for U.S. Virgin Islands can be broken down into three similar questions - do you need a car in U.S. Virgin Islands; is it worth it (based on costs), and ultimately - should you rent one? (a balance of the two).🚆 🚌⛴️ Do we need to rent a car in U.S. Virgin Islands?
These scores are based on the quality of public transport and other travel options. If these are good enough to see the main points of interest, then you don’t need to rent a car.
💰💶💳 Is it worth hiring a car in U.S. Virgin Islands?
These scores reflect the practical factors that affect whether renting a car is convenient, good value, and stress-free.
🏙️ Main Cities in U.S. Virgin Islands
| CITY | IATA | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte Amalie | STT | 8 |
Getting Around St. Thomas 🚗🏝️
St. Thomas is the most developed island, and it has steep hills, spread-out beaches, and resorts that aren’t always well-connected by buses. Consequently, renting a car gives you far more flexibility. This is especially so if you want to explore places like Megan’s Bay, Sapphire Beach, or Hull Bay at your own pace.
However, it’s worth remembering that USVI drives on the left, even though the cars are usually American and have left-hand drive. Once you adjust, driving is manageable, but the roads can be narrow and winding.
Getting Around St. John 🌿🚙
St. John is more low-key and heavily protected. Two-thirds of the island forms Virgin Islands National Park. As a result, public transport remains minimal. If you want to reach the best beaches and trailheads, such as Trunk Bay, Cinnamon Bay, or the Reef Bay Trail, a car becomes very helpful.
That said, Cruz Bay is walkable, and you can also use open-air “safari taxis”, which circle the island. They’re reliable, but they don’t always go everywhere you might want to hike.
Getting Around St. Croix 🌞🚗
St. Croix is larger and flatter, yet its attractions — from Christiansted to Frederiksted to the mountain interior — are spread far apart. Therefore, a rental car is often the only practical way to explore widely. Public transport exists but is infrequent and slow, and taxi fares add up quickly.
Alternatives to Renting a Car 🚌🚕⛴️
Although driving is often the easiest method, you can get by without renting, especially if you prefer slower, more relaxed travel.
-
Safari taxis on St. Thomas and St. John cover key routes
-
Regular taxis are available but expensive for long distances
-
Passenger ferries link the islands frequently
-
Walking works well within towns like Charlotte Amalie and Cruz Bay
Even so, once you leave town centres, distances grow quickly and public transport thins out.
Should You Rent a Car in the US Virgin Islands? 🚗🌴
✔ Yes — in most cases.
If you want freedom, want to visit multiple beaches in a day, aim to hike, or plan to see more than your immediate resort area. In these cases, renting a car in the USVI makes your trip much easier and far cheaper than relying on taxis.
❌ Maybe not — if you’re staying in one place.
If you’re based at a beach resort and don’t plan to explore widely, you could skip the rental and rely on taxis, ferries, and the occasional safari bus.