Taxi rates are per person, plus $1 per bag. Getting a taxi at the airport is super simple. Follow the signs to baggage claim, get your bags and walk outside. They will be lined up there and a dispatcher will direct you to the cab for you. Just tell them you want to go to the Red Hook ferries. You could also take the ferry from Charlotte Amalie. It takes longer (about 45minutes vs. 20), but you get to view a lot of St. Thomas on the way if you sit on top. And it's only $7 each way. Taxi fromthe airport is $4 each to get to the Charlotte Amalie ferry, plus $1 per bag, so it works out like this: $24 ,+ bags, to get to St. John from the airport if you go thru Red Hook, or $22, + bags if you go thru downtown.

Another option is to rent a car at the airport and drive it to Red Hook and take the car ferry to St. John. I know some rental companies tell you not to take the car on the ferry, but that is only because of their insurance regulations and the fact that they don't want to come over if you lose your keys or get a flat. Me, personally, I'd risk it and rent at the airport.

Anyone else?

Depending on where you stay, your airport transfers and rental vehicles on St. John may be arranged for you by the villa managers. We provide this service for our guests, as I believe do many of the other villa owners and agencies.

Best,

When taking a van to Red Hook, I always ask the driver what the total cost will be ( fare, luggage, children, whatever ). And I ask the driver that question before getting in the van. Reduces the possibility of any misunderstandings about cost when you reach Red Hook.

Went to St John in June, the getting a "taxi shuttle" from the airport was easy. As mentioned above, you are moved through like cattle from the airport baggage carisle to outside, there someone asks you where to..tell them red hook ferry. They director you to a 8-10 seat conversion van. A man asks how many and how much luggage. We had four people and six bags, the cost was $12 USA dollars per person. Once we arrived at Red Hook ferry, the shuttle driver unloaded our luggage and we were quickly approached by another man to have our luggage transferred to the ferry itself (gratiuity requested of course). We took him up on the offer, but afterwards realized we could have just as easily carried the luggage ourselves a few yards (very small distance). The ferry tickets to St John are very cheap, I think 3 dollars.

We rented a jeep at St John Car Rental, it is right around the corner from the dock, and they actually meet you at the dock and drive with you to your villa. Renting from someone on St John island, also allows you the abiality to park in their lot in the evening. Parking in St John is hard to come by.

Marty,
I'd be very careful advising people to ignore the car rental agencies rules and bring their vehicles to St John regardless. There are several companies that will let you bring the cars across, among them Budget and Dependable. If the agency says no, I'd take that seriously. You say that "that is only because of their insurance regulations". Well, what that means is that their insurance will not cover you if you have an accident while you are off the island. In that case a minor fender bender would ruin a vacation and cost you much more than you bargained for.
My advice? Either rent from an agency that will let you take the car across or rent a vehicle from one of the many agencies on St John. JMHO

I have rented villia's through these guys several times and really like them.
All of the Villias have been top notch

There Villias on all of the islands

http://www.mclaughlinanderson.com/

Mermaid...

Good point! That never occured to me. So, my advice from now on is: take a taxi from the airport to the ferry and rent on STJ. Nothing to worry about for anyone. Good pick, Merm!

Marty

Hello Lynn,

Taxi rates listed on this site in the transportation section are quoted per person, unless otherwise indicated by Two People (like in the St. John Taxi rate table). If you want a private taxi, not shared with other passengers going to the same place or places close by, you will pay more.

Children under six (6) years old will pay half price.

--Islander

Thank you to everyone who has responded!! Your comments have helped so much.

We are really looking forward to our trip. Anything else you can think of to make our vacation even more special, please don't hesitate to tell me!

Thanks and have a great day!
Lynn

Lynn
Make sure you get one or more of the guide books offered on this and other sites. STJ Off the Beaten Track is priceless and you will have it dog earred by the time you return from your trip.

Good suggestion for books on St John, off the beaten track also St john Beach Guide by the same - have fun. Mary.