We always fly into STT and do the dreaded ferry dance. This year, we are going to fly into SJU and then Intercaribbean Airlines to Beef Island. Since this will be separately booked flights, how much time should I allow in SJU between flights? I know that I have to collect the baggage and go back through the line but I don't know how far apart the terminals are or how busy it is there.

FWIW... some of the crew for our upcoming Oct trip used Cheapoair to book through SJU (JetBlue) to Beef Island (Seaborne). On the arriving trip they have 2 hours 15 minutes between flights. They will have to disembark the JetBlue flight, go to baggage claim to get their bags, and then check in for the Seaborne flight. It seems doable but it could be tight.

I haven't booked yet so I'm not sure which way I'll go.

Allow some time for delayed arrival in sju plus a couple or more hours to get your bags, Check in and get back through security.

We flew JB into SJU in May and then Intercaribbean to Beef - 2.5 hours was more than enough. We had to wait for the Intercaribbean counter agent to arrive. They generally get there about an hour before take-off.

About how long did it take to get your luggage from JB going and about how long to get your luggage from IC on your return?

Usually 15-20 minutes on luggage either way. But the return trip involves customs, so you're not going to see your luggage until after going through the line which can be a class 2 hurricane or a small shower (better allow 2 hrs for total SJU time). Each time we go to Tortola via SJU > we decide to go via STT the next time. Then, we get upset with Ferry system at St Thomas and decide to go via SJU the next time. If you haven't purchased tickets yet, you might look at going one way STT and SJU the other. We have done this multiple times depending on price/arrival/departure needs.

We waited about 20 minutes for our luggage from JB on arrival. We landed around 9:15 am and our IC flight was 11:30. There was a rep at the IC counter at 10a.m. - checked our luggage and we were through.

On the return, we used Seabourne and connected to Delta. We have Global Entry so customs is always pretty quick for us at SJU and this was no exception. There was a Delta rep waiting right outside customswho took our bags and we were at our Delta gate in about 20 minutes! Doesn't always happen that way but this time it did.

Using only JB and IC in November for our quick trip down and back so I will let you know how that works out. Planning 2 hours for SJU on both legs.

We have seen lines at cape air that resulted in over 45 minutes to check in and get boarding passes. At that time cape cape was not participating in TSA pre +. The security line was painfully long. Hence the buffer. From time to time flights leave eis late due to weather etc. I have had this add over an hour.

If you are departing during the winter from a city in the north, then p, de-icing can add another 30 - 45 minutes of delay to the whole process.

So far, the only thing really reliable has been getting through usa customs in sju with global entry.

If I am flying on one ticket, then I don't mind the tight connection, otherwise I worry about missing my connection and the potential problems and costs are mine.

Another vote for two hours minimum from a slightly different angle.

We have flown thru SJU at least 8 times on private charter (Island Birds, Fly BVI and Air America) and each time "something" happened that took much longer than expected and the two hours the charter company built into our schedule was needed.

Once, our luggage from American took over 30 minutes to arrive on the belt and this was on top of the 20 or so minutes to deplane and walk to baggage claim.

Another time, TSA PreCheck was 25 minutes. Regular TSA had to have been over an hour.

Knock wood, C&I at SJU has always been easy for us even in the pre-Global Entry days.