Costs more to STT!

Checking flight prices for the end of November, on the off chance we are allowed in. Have been tracking flights to EIS for some time, so just compared STT. American, same date, leaving Memphis on same early morning flight: one way is $20 cheaper to EIS! That's before taxis and a ferry. And if we get stuck, that's on American.

If you're monitoring flights, don't assume Tortola is more expensive!

Don't forget that the flight to STT is usually direct whereas there is a stop for EIS and transfer to another plane.

In 2018 and 2019, I travelled in/out of BVI about 3 times per month and it was almost always cheaper to go thru EIS. Many times I had to assume the risk and book separate tickets but it was usually cheaper than STT flight plus taxi/ferry.

For us it's three flights to EIS or two to STT. But when you add in the ferry and two taxis, we get to Trellis Bay quicker and cheaper flying to EIS.

I too have found it's cheaper to fly to EIS. We have always spent a night before getting on our charter either on Tortola or St. Thomas. Now we just stay in San Juan using Marriott points. Makes for easier and more relaxed travel days.

From Washington, DC For our flight in January 2021

We booked, Round trip United IAD - STT is $450

Right now, Round trip Jet Blue DCA - SJU - EIS is $740

That's a good point, Chuck. If I tried to book my EIS trip on a single ticket with Delta it was much more expensive than booking my trip to SJU and then purchasing a second ticket for the SJU-EIS segment. I broke mine into 2 tickets for a couple of reasons; cost was less and I had more flexibility in itineraries. Sometimes with Delta I would have a layover of 3 or 4 hours if I used a single ticket. With 2 tickets, I could pick whichever carrier was leaving first and I change between InterCaribbean, Silver, and Air Sunshine.

2 tickets comes with some risk but it was worth it financially.

Cheers,
Jason

Jason,

We used to book separate tickets to EIS before airlines started doing code share.

Right now, Best I could get it down to is $719 by booking separate, Jet Blue and InterC.

That's extra $269 p/p to get into EIS vs STT. Figure $150 pp for ferry and taxi. That might be worth it.

I would take DCA-SJU-EIS over DCA-STT ferry to EIS every time for ease. We go DCA to STT to stay land based on STT and then DCA-SJU-EIS to get to sea base for chartering. The code share costs more but if there is an issue the originating airline (e.g. Jet Blue) takes care of it. When I take families we typically code share...when we go with a bunch of guys we usually book separately with Jet Blue to SJU and then typically IC to EIS as costs are less pp....if there is an issues they can draw straws and we pick up the short straw at Trellis when they finally arrive

We have had too many ferry issues on the front end with DCA/STT/ferry and STT airport can be more difficult/crowded than SJU for the time we fly. Also there are more flight options in SJU to get to the states and we have been "stuck" several times somewhere along the route. Typically there is not a direct flight form DCA to STT either....

Lately we have been Jet Blue to SJU and Island Birds 9 seater to EIS as we have had 9 going which is easy but more expensive...and usually I can get out of sea base that same night. The cost for Island Birds to fly into SJU has gone up so they are offering another airport (Isla Grande) close to SJU which drops the price and we intend to use this on the way home.

If DCA to EIS is cheaper that would be great....but regardless we go to SJU/EIS for charter over STT/ferry.

For years we flew CLT to STT. It was typically around $1200 for the two of us. A great direct flight and then jump on VI Airlink (I think $650 for two) to get to Anegada. But my buddy @bailau suggested looking into going through SJU. That route saves us about $400-500 RT and we still arrive on Anegada at about the same time. So now the route is CTL-SJU-EIS-NGD. I do as Jason. I purchase all separately and so far no issues. Have used the ferries many times. Just not a big fan.

It only takes ONE snafu, for you to reconsider that booking flights separately..

$315 Miami to Stt mid november tickets include +carryon, seat selection etc 3 flight non-stop each day $285 basic ticket no seat selection
$816 Miami to EIS
$342 SJU to EIS
All round trip
Obviously STT wins

Thorsten, is that first class? On Google flights I'm seeing Miami to EIS on American, one ticket, for $243 including bag, in mid November.

We have been going to STJ for 25 years so I am familiar with STT flights. Certain routes like DC area, Newark and even Boson can be quite reasonable for direct flights. However, outside of those markets it’s hard to fin a “Bargin” no way would I consider flying thru STT for our BVI trips, that airport is a nightmare on a good day. We fly to SJU direct and take Island Birds to VG. Because we can fly cheap to SJU, we can justify the charter cost.

Right now a Basic Economy round trip flight from CLT to STT in mid-May is about $400. Slightly lower if you connect through Miami. Very attractive compared to the usual $700+/- !

We can get Toronto to San Juan direct for Canadian $592 in the Fall. Nothing direct to STT.

The dates we are considering are Nov 14-25. CLT-STT via AA direct then ViAirlink to NGD coach is $1869 for two. CLT-SJU via AA direct then InterCarribean to EIS then ViAirlink to NGD is $1494. With either route and no issues we leave Charlotte at the same time and arrive on Anegada at the same time. $375 saving plus I don't have to deal with STT.