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I have read some of the posts about renting cars from St. John (instead of St. Thomas and taking it over on car ferry) because you can park in Cruz Bay for free. I don't remember ever paying for parking in the past. I have not been to St. John in about 5 years. Has this changed or did I misunderstand the post?
I was planning on getting a jeep at the airport in St. Thomas and making a few stops in St. Thomas before heading to St. John for a week. Maybe I should just taxi to St. John and get the jeep there? I thought it would be wise to stock up on some groceries and beer before heading over to St. John. Locals, please advise.
The rental companies allow you to park in their rental lot if you rent from them. That's all. There is a new pay lot in Cruz Bay ran by Slim Man. Parking may be tight, but you always find a space. Never know what all the hoopla is about.
RL
We ended up getting ticketed in Cruz Bay. Had an awful time trying to find a parking space. Luckily, we saw two trucks pulling out of a spot and pulled the 2 jeeps in. We walked around cruz bay, had lunch and came back to the jeeps.....each with a ticket on it. We had NO idea why we had been ticketed, but a nice gal told us that on a one way street we weren't allowed to park on the left hand side. There were no signs, and we didn't know. 25.00 fine for each vehicle. I'll be sure to use a lot if we can next time and avoid those tickets. Took 3 mos for my check to clear.
I am leaving for STT the 26th for the first time. I rented a jeep from hertz and they said I couldn't take it to STJ. I'd ask. Dala
Love, i'm just wondering why you would rent a jeep if you can't take it over to St. John. That's part of the fun!
Do you intend to rent another vehicle after you take the passenger ferry over? If you go to STT, you must go to STJ too. You can't miss it.
Although I love St. Thomas because I think it's a good base and there's alot to do there, you can see STJ from STT and it's only a short ferry ride away.
If you aren't considering doing either, you should reconsider.
We have used budget in the past and they will let you take them over to st.john. Also I have found the tops come down on the jeeps from the airport they don't on the jeeps from st.john.
I never understood the parking hoopla either ,Ronnie, until my last 2 trips. Parking was a nightmare and a half. It used to be that you could make the Cruz Bay loop a few times and find a spot. Not so anymore. I was so frustrated one of the 1st days and remembered that I could park at STJ car rental, it was a Godsend.
I think for folks that are really familiar with STJ and where to find the good spots, you can find a spot after a few circles around but if not, it is so much easier to have that spot you can count on.
The rental companies make it clear that customers are welcome to park in the company's lot in Cruz Bay if there is space. There usually will be space, but they do not guarantee a space for each rental vehicle and there may be times when there won't be any room.
The parking situation in Cruz Bay certainly has worsened. Just the fact that Slim Man is making a go of his parking lot indicates that space is pretty tight.
From what we know the big scare is that if you rent on STT and are spending a week on STJ and your vehicle breaks down, don't expect super service. It will take awhile. That makes sense to me. So if only flying into STT and going directly to STJ, then rent on STJ. That's what we've been advised and it works for us. We don't go into Cruz Bay much so parking isn't a big deal.
On the other hand, stopping at the Marina Market in Red Hook and stocking up is a plus. Love their deli and fresh meats/seafood.
Hertz is, (I believe) the only company that does not allow their vehicles to go over to STJ all the others do.
Remember, NO company on STJ allows cars to be taken to STT - $1,000 fine.
Pia
Thanks for all the good information and advice.
