The US Virgin Islands are an American territory east of Puerto Rico, made up of three main islands: St Thomas, busiest with cruise ships around Charlotte Amalie; St John, largely protected as a national park; and St Croix, the largest, to the south. Entry works exactly as for the rest of the US, and the islands lie outside the EU's Roam Like at Home area: a European SIM is billed at its operator's roaming rates, while US visitors should check whether their plan counts the islands as domestic.
Key facts for the US Virgin Islands
- EU roaming: not covered by Roam Like at Home
- Local networks: AT&T (depending on the plan)
- Emergency numbers: 911 for police, ambulance and fire
- Embassies: none; the islands fall under Spain's consulate general in San Juan and the UK's in Miami
Getting there
Cyril E. King Airport, on the south-west side of St Thomas, and Henry E. Rohlsen Airport, on the south-west side of St Croix, handle the flights, and St John is reached by ferry. US citizens do not need a passport to visit, but they must show proof of citizenship when they leave. Everyone else needs a passport and, as for the rest of the US, an approved ESTA under the Visa Waiver Program or a visa.
A day trip to the British Virgin Islands
The British Virgin Islands are a short ferry ride from St Thomas and St John, but they are a separate British territory: you leave the US, so take your passport. On the boat and in the BVI your phone moves to other networks, so a plan for the US Virgin Islands alone may not cover you there. An Americas plan includes both groups of islands.
Hurricanes and alerts
The hurricane season runs from 1 June to 30 November, and the most active and dangerous period falls between mid-August and late October. The territory's emergency management agency sends warnings through its Alert VI system, and you can also text 911 in an emergency, in English only. Keep a power bank charged and download maps when a storm is forecast.
Driving, money and health
Traffic drives on the left, and a valid US or foreign licence is accepted for 90 days. Seat belts are compulsory, and it is illegal to talk on a mobile phone while driving. The currency is the US dollar, there are cash machines on all three islands, and Visa and Mastercard are the most widely accepted cards. There is a risk of dengue, so use insect repellent, and US medical bills are high, so travel with insurance. Do not leave passports or valuables in a hire car.
Getting connected
With a travel eSIM set up before you leave, you have data the moment you land or disembark. An Americas plan covers the islands together with Puerto Rico, the mainland US and the British Virgin Islands; a plan for the US Virgin Islands suits a stay on one island. If your own SIM is European, leave it on only for bank codes, with data roaming off.
Local SIMs: Liberty, which took over AT&T's operations on the islands, and Viya run the local networks.
Consular protection: who to call in the US Virgin Islands
- Call 911 for the police, an ambulance or the fire service; texting 911 also works, in English.
- No country has an embassy on the islands. Spanish citizens rely on the consulate general in San Juan, Puerto Rico, whose district includes the territory, and British nationals on the consulate general in Miami.
- EU citizens whose country has no consulate covering the islands can ask the consulate of any other EU country for help, on the same terms as its own nationals (Article 23 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU).
- English is the official language.
Questions travellers ask about the US Virgin Islands
Can I use my European tariff in the US Virgin Islands?
Only by paying roaming: the territory is outside Roam Like at Home, so your operator applies its own rates.
Which network does a Telcomia eSIM use in the US Virgin Islands?
AT&T, with 4G and 5G where available.
Do I need a passport?
US citizens do not, but must prove their citizenship when leaving. Other visitors need a passport and an ESTA or visa, and everyone needs a passport for a trip to the British Virgin Islands.
Which side of the road do people drive on?
The left, so take extra care at junctions and when pulling out.
The short version
Install the eSIM before you travel, apply for an ESTA if you need one, carry a passport for the BVI ferry, drive on the left, follow Alert VI in the hurricane season, and save 911.
See plans for the US Virgin Islands →
Related reads:
Ready to stay connected without surprises?
Activate your eSIM in seconds and travel connected in 200+ countries and territories.
See plans