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Hi all,
I've been lurking around reading all the great info here..thanks for posting such helpful info!
My husband and I are traveling to St. Thomas in two weeks. I won free round trip tickets from my company Christmas party and we chose St. Thomas since neither one of us have been there.
We are flying in on Friday the 14. My husband does not want to rent a car. He just wants to enjoy what the island has to offer, and wants to take the buses to get around so that we can see things along the route while doing so. Which is fine with me, because we aren't in any hurry to get anywhere and do anything in particular. We just want to play it by ear. (We do realize we'll have to take a taxi every now and then for certain things where the buses won't go, and if we are going to be out late).
Anyway, I've been searching online for a bus route so that we can know where the bus goes, what the stops are, running times, etc. I haven't been able to find anything. I do know from reading online elsewhere and on this forum that the buses run in a one-way loop around the island. Which direction does it loop around?
Thanks in advance. I'm really looking forward to this. This will be the second "real" vacation we've been on in the 10 years we've been married (other than going to see family). Last time we went to Port Aransas, Texas, which is also an island, but I know this will blow Port A out of the water. 😉
that was to be my next question. also, is the bus safe? again mom and daughter traveling together- i am comfortable just about anywhere but mom is afterall mom and pretty cautious. TIA
If you can afford it I would rent a car. The taxi rates add up VERY VERY quick. One trip to town for the two you is $40 rountrip via taxi, and the buses, well I wouldn't count on them.
The dollar taxis are your best bet. Stand on the road and wait, but I don't see your mother wanting to do that.
Good luck,
I don't have a bunch of experiance with the buses on STT so, I'll let someone else fill you in on them. But, I would highly recommend renting a car even if for only a day or two. Taking a taxi everywere can be very expensive, with a car you can explore at your own pace and not worry about paying for a taxi each trip.
The firts time I drove on island it scared the living you know what out of me, but after a short time you'll get used to it and, enjoy STT even more.
Have fun.
Riding VITRAN (THE BUS) can be quite an adventure. You may enjoy seeing how some of the locals "live". Another alternative is to use the $1 / $2 safaris. You must know where you are going and be able to "communicate" with the driver. There are lots of "dialects" spoken by various safari drivers. Know that neither of these options are will let you see all of the island. You may still want to consider renting a car after using these two options. GOOD LUCK AND ENJOY.
what about this "safari bus" is that the same as the dollar taxis?
Yes, the safari bus is the same as the dollar (or two, depending on where you go) taxi.
Riding VITRAN (THE BUS) can be quite an adventure. That is no lie. As far as I know the governmnent is trying to get the bus service back up to par. Your best option for cheap transportation is the $1/$2 safari/dollar taxi. They run on a route very similar to VITRAN. For more information on the route see the article below from the non-profit organization VI Save Me Money, Inc. and use the Mapquest link for the Virgin Islands (Note: You need to zoom in on the map).
Article:
http://www.visavememoney.org/reports/ride4cheap.php
Map:
http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?formtype=address&addtohistory=&address=&city=&state=&zipcode=&country=VI&location=uoDqPR3p9B68XREskznOIbUBtuQc2mtAS9quw%2bnVRMBEY64ewrBsJafqMgF646BsAKZWVEQMrSDP1Nwi3BD71w%3d%3d
Good luck!
I ride the bus several times a week, and the first question that needs answering is where will you be staying???? Neither bus nor $1 safari is available from most hotels. However, if you're staying at Wyndham Sugar Bay, Point Pleasant, Emerald Beach, Island Beachcomber, Holiday Inn Windward Passage, or Sapphire, you can get around somewhat easily to SOME destinations on the $1 (though it'll probably be $2 for most of your trips) safari or VITRAN bus.
If you're staying anywhere else, you'll need transportation or you'll be stuck. Oh, unless you're staying at Marriott Frenchman's Reef where you can take their water taxi into town for approx $6 per person each way, and then take a bus/safari to another destination. Trust me, you cannot walk - no sidewalk, and the road is hilly, plus it's hot. You can also take a regular taxi into town for about the same rate, I think. Of course, from any hotel you can take a taxi to the nearest bus stop, but that'll defeat the purpose.
I do, however, recommend taking the VITRAN bus on St John (though it broke down when I took it - but, you say you're not in a hurry, LOL!) Incredible views, and it's only $1 each way (to the end, and then back to Cruz Bay). You can't get to popular beaches, though, on this bus.
Thanks for the info y'all!
We'll be staying at Point Pleasant.
If you're staying at Point Pleasant, you can take the $1/$2 safaris if you stand at the main road. It'll take you to Red Hook so you can try different restaurants/bars/stores, and you can take the St John ferry. It will also take you into town, to the mall, and near some beaches.
Have fun!
