Flights to St. Croix

The Best Flights to St. Croix (STX) in the U.S. Virgin Islands

Commercial airline flights are the primary way visitors travel to St. Croix, USVI. When planning a trip to the beautiful island of St. Croix, discover the smartest ways to book cost-efficient airline tickets from the continental United States.

The Essential Tool: Google Flights

  • Google Flights is a great resource for researching and tracking airfare to St. Croix (STX).

  • IATA Airport Code: The airport is Henry E. Rohlsen, which is STX as an airport code. Price Monitoring: Utilize Google Flights to view current airline ticket pricing and set up free email alerts for future price drops on your specific dates or routes.

  • There is a regularly maintained list of airlines and flights to St Croix by the folks at St. Croix Ultimate Bluewater Adventures (SCUBA).

Check Baggage Fees Always check the final pricing, which can vary significantly due to additional baggage costs. Google Flights allows you to filter prices including baggage.

Flexible Search Be prepared to consider different travel days of the week (mid-week flights are often cheaper) or alternative origin cities.

One-Way Strategy Identify the lowest costs by performing separate one-way flight searches in each direction. This can often reveal more cost-effective travel dates.

Use Advanced Filters Narrow your options by setting filters for specific airlines, desired trip duration, acceptable layover cities, and schedule preferences to avoid unusual schedules.

Plane boarding with steps from the tarmac at STX airport

Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (STX)

The primary airport on St. Croix is Henry E. Rohlsen, airport code STX. Originally a US military airfield, the airport is named after a St. Croix native who was one of the Tuskegee Airmen in WWII.

Served by American, Delta, Spirit, and Frontier, as well as many smaller companies, STX has direct flights to Atlanta, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, San Juan, and other seasonal destinations.

Watch the entire process of entering the St. Croix from an airplane.

Entering St. Croix From Plane Through the STX Airport

There is no customs process for flights from the United States mainland, as St. Croix is part of the US Virgin Islands, a US Territory. You will literally deplane via stairs to the tarmac, walk through the terminal building and to the one luggage carousel and your rental car or other local transportation. If you arrive from any other US territory or state, you won't even encounter a person on your way. The video here shows the walk through the airport from tarmac to curb, and then to the luggage carousel.

Departing From St. Croix Through the STX Airport

At Henry E. Rohlsen (STX) Airport, airline desk agents are often responsible for both check-in and boarding and may close the check-in desk 1-2 hours prior to departure. There are certain dayparts with multiple flights resulting in significant wait times. You may spend 90-minutes in lines, or you might get to the gate area within 10 minutes. The waiting area isn’t that bad, so better early than stranded.

The USVI is outside the US Customs Zone, so after check-in you will:

  • Wait in line, and go through Customs and Border Protection (CBP)

  • Collect the luggage you gave to the airline desk agent during check-in

  • Wait in line and go though a Department of Agriculture inspection

  • Drop your checked luggage off again

  • Wait in line and go through TSA security screening

    • Like any other US airport, with separate TSA PreCheck line, but not CLEAR.

The new gate area is a nice place to wind down before your flight, so better early than stranded, unless that is your goal.

Pro-Tip: Bottled drinks are less expensive at the gift shop than the snack bar.

Document Requirements for Travel

Official answers: Customs and Border Protection website, TSA.gov, or USA.gov

Unofficial answer: US citizens need a REAL ID-compliant government ID (usually a Driver’s License) for TSA, which will be requested by your airline desk agent, the CBP door guard, the CBP agent, and then TSA. There is a separate CBP line for Global Entry (actual card required) which often allows for shorter wait. Children should have proof of U.S. Citizenship such as a birth certificate, and if not traveling with both parents, a notarized letter of consent signed by non-traveling parent(s).

Seaplane in Christiansted harbor

Christiansted Harbor Seaplane Terminal (SSB)

Located at the west end of the Christiansted Boardwalk, the Seaplane Terminal, airport code SPB, has regular flights to St. Thomas Harbor. One advantage to flying the seaplane is that it is direct from downtown to downtown.

The Cyril E. King Airport on St. Thomas (STT) is served by American, Delta, JetBlue, Spirit, United, Liat, and Seaborne.

Connecting in STT either by seaplane or ferry to St. Croix is a common plan, especially when visiting multiple islands is a goal.

Packing Tips for a Visit to St Croix

St. Croix (STX) is a rare Caribbean gem where rugged trails meet colonial history. Packing for adventure requires options which are versatile enough for the Christiansted National Historic Site but tough enough for the trek to the Annaly Bay Tide Pools.

  • The Explorer’s Base Layer

    • St. Croix is culturally conservative compared to other islands. While "island casual" is the rule, wandering through town or historical venues in just a swimsuit is a major local faux pas.

    • Moisture-Wicking Apparel: Pack lightweight linen or technical fabrics. They dry fast after a humid hike through the Jack and Isaac Bay Preserve.

    • The "Town Transition" Piece: A breathable sundress or a high-quality polo shirt paired with tailored shorts allows you to move seamlessly from a morning at Fort Christiansvaern to a seaside lunch.

    • Sun Shielding: Bring a wide-brimmed hat with a chin strap for windy boat days and a long-sleeved rash guard for snorkeling to minimize sunscreen use.

  • Performance Footwear

    • The island’s terrain is diverse, from the slick rocks of the North Shore to the cobblestones of Frederiksted.

    • Hybrid Hiking Sandals: Choose a pair with toe protection and a "sticky" sole. These are essential for hikes that end in water, like the 3.6-mile trail to the tide pools.

    • Water Sneakers: If you plan on exploring the rocky shallows of Cane Bay, these offer better traction than flip-flops.

  • The Eco-Conscious Kit

    • The USVI strictly enforces a Safe Sunscreen Law. It is illegal to use, sell, or import sunscreens containing "The Toxic 3 Os": Oxybenzone, Octocrylene, and Octinoxate.

    • Mineral Sunscreen: Pack non-nano zinc oxide or titanium dioxide formulas. Buying these stateside is often significantly cheaper than on-island.

    • Dry Bag & Waterproof Case: Essential for protecting your phone and car keys during beach outings or a boat tour to Buck Island Reef National Monument.

    • Insect Defense: Pack an oil-based repellent for "no-see-ums" (sand flies) that emerge at dusk, especially when there is low wind and recent rain.

  • Crucian Pro-Tip

    • Always start your interactions with a local greeting: "Good morning," "Good afternoon," or "Good night" (used after 5 PM). This simple courtesy opens doors to the best local recommendations. Note that “Good evening” is not an appropriate option, so get used to “Good night” as a conversation starter rather than a departure phrase.