Aussie603

Need to get from Pittsburgh, PA to Beef Island in May. Staying one week and it seems like airfare is running around $700-800 and that's with two stops. UGH! Does anyone have any strategy for more economic flights or more convenient. Thanks

ejcrowe

I've been watching the fare from Hartford to EIS for several months and it hasn't gone below $700 yet. Alternately you could fly into STT (St. Thomas) and then ferry over to the BVI. Usually less money but more time consuming that way.

Callaloo

Are you chartering? The Moorings has a travel agency called Mariner International Travel, and whenever I've used them for tix to EIS, I've always gotten a substantial discount over the regular AA fare. Don't know if non-Moorings guests can use them, but it's worth a call.

Debden

I think it would be alot less expensive to fly into St Thomas,USVI and take a ferry over to Tortola. That's what we do and it's a little inconvenient to lug your baggage but not bad.
Debbie

Aussie603

Thanks for the advice. I'll check the St. Thomas fares. There's about four or five of us going from Pittsburgh and one from Baltimore. We're staying on a friend's boat, so we don't need lodging.

Aussie603

I found a R/T fare of $524.61 for Pgh to St. Thomas with only one stop and very convenient times. Thanks so much for the suggestion. I don't know how long the ferry trip will be from St. Thomas to Beef Island, but I think the savings in airfare and the convenience of the times will make it well worth it. Thanks again for the help.

doug_stallings

I'm not sure exactly how long the ferry takes, but it's less than an hour, and ferries leave fairly often; the cost is roughly $25 per person, less if you buy a round-trip. If you are in such a large group and can all rendezvous in St. Thomas, you should look into a water taxi. It's expensive, but may not end up costing you amy more when divided up between 5 or 6 people, and then you aren't at the mercy of a ferry schedule. Just something to consider. Several of the ferry companies post their schedules online.

Debden

Aussie603,Glad I could help. It's $40 RT per person to either West End or Road
Town on Tortola. It takes 50-55 minutes to get there from Charlotte Amalie,St Thomas. The ferries do run quite often and are usually reliable. I have used them quite a few times and never experienced any problems.
Hope you have a great trip.
Debbie

Debden

Aussie603, If you go to www.vinow.com or usvi-on-line.com you can find the Ferry Schedules for Charlotte Amalie,St Thomas to West End or Road Town,Tortola.
Debbie

cdt

Keep in mind that the $40 ferry cost includes, as I recall, an immigration fee which would otherwise be reflected in your airfare if you flew into Tortola.

I think the STT-Tortola ferry is an excellent option. Taking ferries from STT to Virgin Gorda, on the other hand, with luggage, is more of a pain.

swimmr

Try flying Southwest from Pittsburgh to Fort Lauderdale, then switching onto Spirit Air in FLL to San Juan. In San Juan you can take Cape Air or another carrier to EIS. If you act now you should be able to find something under $700, even with using 3 airlines. Spirit has one way tickets from FLL to SJU for $79 right now.

Kingajh

I just went to Tortola last month from Boston to St. Thomas, and found that pretty easy. The ferries run regularly, are smooth, and a nice entree to the BVI. The West End stop in Tortola is very convenient to that area, Long Bay, Apple Bay, Carrot Bay, and even Cane Garden Bay. It is about a 40 min ferry ride. It is a longer ferry ride to Road Town, but that is closer to Beef Island. On the way back if you are early, you can leave your bags with the Taxi Assoc. and walk around Charlotte Amalie. The airport is a 5-10 min drive from downtown. But allow lots of time for the ferry and customs.

I much prefer one plane ride, and less chance of delay, missing connections and waylaid baggage. It should be cheaper too!

dtstahl

Pittsburgh to St Thomas @ $291 RT via Delta for various dates in May right now.

If you get stuck on dates, there are more open dates departing from Cleveland with that rate at around $320 RT

Aussie603

WOW! Thanks you all. You've been great.

Aussie603

Tried to find that cheap Delta fare from Pgh. to St. Thomas, but wasn't able to bring it up, no matter what dates in May I tried. I went to Delta's site and tried Expedia and Orbitz. Maybe it's no longer available. ????

Debden

Aussie603, I think your right. I tried to find that low fare too and was unsuccessful.The next price up is $346 RT...(plus taxes/fees)
Those low fares seem to go so quickly.
It seems like their almost gone before they get advertised!
Debbie

privatejets

if you can get to jfk in ny,,,or anywhere else jet blue flies...go to san juan and take liat or cape air. works really well. cost me $320 total.