Please Register / Login to take part in discussions about the Virgin Islands.
Does anyone know which car rental agencies at St. Thomas Airport allow you to take the car to St. John. We'd like to do this instead of renting from an agency on St. John, as it seems it would save us money. What do you think? Also, do you really need a 4 wheel drive vehicle to get around St. John, or will a midsize car do just fine. Thank you.
You can rent a car on St Thomas from Budget, or Dependable on St Thomas and take them to St John. The rental will be cheaper but.... if you get stuck on St John, with lost keys, a dead battery, a flat tire etc it will take a long time to get help from St Thomas.
Several St John rental agencies allow you to park in their lots when you're in town where parking is at a premium.
But the biggest reason I won't rent a regular sedan on St Thomas and bring it to St John is the roads. There is no way to describe the hills and switchbacks and hairpins. You have to experience them. If the road is slightly wet (like after one of the brief tropical downpours that occur almost daily) you will NEED the 4WD. I've personally witnessed some poor guy in a Ford Focus trying to BACK down Jacobs Ladder after a rainshower. Not fun. There really is a reason the agencies on St John pretty much only rent 4WD vehicles. They are the safest and most practical means of getting around the island.
All this is only my opinion, take it or leave it. Whatever you do, be safe and enjoy your vacation!
Mermaid
I went with Avis. Hertz will not let you take the car off. Avis will not be responsible if something happens on the ferry. Avis gave me a Jimmy not 4wd but I had no problems getting around on St. John.
We are coming in May. I checked with Budget, Avis, Dependable. They all allow you to take the vehicle to St John but like everyone said they are not responsible for damages over there. We rented a car 10 years ago and it was not 4WD but had no problems on the roads, however, we did not encounter any rain or slick conditions so I can't say about that.
WE ended up renting with Avis and plan on visiting St John with the car (a Malibu, I think) at least one day of our visit.
Good luck
The only problem we have ever had bringing a vehicle to St John was that sometimes it is tough getting on and off the ferry with a small sedan. This year we'll have a Jeep for our trips to St. John as the high ground clearance will be a big help. However, we have never had a problem getting anywhere we have wanted to go with a small sedan but one never knows.
What is the best deal on car rental in St Thomas area?
You 100% need a 4 wheel drive on StJ if it rains PLUS - there are HUGE inclines.
Why give you $$ to STT. Give it ti StJ companies.
Tghe Army Corp of Engineers call a 7% incline steep - there are a number of 30% inclines on the main "highway". Including 158 curves in a 7 mile stretch on the centerline road.
I honestly doubt any vehicle has ever seen 3rd gear on StJ.
Post Edited (06-08-04 15:08)
