Even if you were able to get a car at the STT airport from another rental company I am not sure you could make the last car barge to STJ .
We will have to get a St. Johnian expert in on the VITRAN question.

Good point on the mixed blessing of no 4WD available at the airport... That would have eaten up plenty of time just picking up the vehicle before trying to make the last car barge of the day! Assuming flight is on time, it sounds as though an hour is doable to make the Red Hook passenger ferry as long as we have no checked baggage? I would imagine the VITRAN awaits that 7pm passenger ferry... thats just my logic though- I'm hoping for a veteran feedback!

I was told when at Concordia in Feb that the bus usually runs late, I wouldn't count on it but that is what they said. I'm thinking that the bus is late because it has waited for the ferry. A staff member at Concordia actually called Vitran to see if they were on schedule for us, I would try to get the number and call them yourself if someone on this or another forum can't answer that question. I do know that Vitran does not allow luggage, only what you can hold on your lap. Also the bus drops you at the bottom of the drive to Concordia, it's a short hike but all up hill.
The forums are a source of great information, and some neat people too. We took our first trip in Febuary. Before we went I read everything I could on these forums and when I got there I was somewhat familiar with things. I actually found my way from the car barge to Concordia without even looking at a map or directions.

When are you going?

Thanks for the lead, I will contact Vitran as you suggested, just thought info on this forum would be a communal benefit, besides "local knowledge" is always priceless! As far as luggage, we are just bringing a carry-on each for our 7 year wedding anniversary 5 day stay in mid May. I am with you on the research... I picked up the coolest book put out by a local entitled "St. John off the beaten track" by Gerald Singer. Way cool! More detail then I know what to do with, not to mention I feel as you described that I am already there!

I would not count on being on the 7pm ferry - you might make it but don't count on it.

If you arrive at 6pm you then have to taxi to the gate (obviously 🙂 ) they bring the stairs and then the unloading begins - you know everyone stands up and proceed to take all their possessions out of the overheads - including the kitchen sink at times so do make sure your seats are as close to the exit as possible.

Taxi's at the STT airport wait to fill up (they are 9 person vans) before leaving. You may luck out and get in one that is ready to leave and is going straight to Red Hook with no stops, or you will have to wait while some other passengers collect their luggage so he can fill up. I just arrived back to STJ from the States 2 days ago - was in a taxi at 9:20pm hoping to make the 10pm Red Hook and we sat, sat, sat 🙁 I might have made it but then figured out we had a stop at the Pineapple for 2 people, stop at the Wyndham for 2 people, I was going to Red Hook, he had one for American Yatch Harbour and a couple for the Ritz 🙁

There are car rental companies in STJ that will wait for you if you are arriving late or they leave the key in the car and you just have to return the next day to fill out paperwork. Let me know if you would like the name of the companies that do that.

Good luck

Pia

Hi there!

i had the same problem a few years back and this is what I did:

I took a voluntary bump on a flight which put me in later at St. John. I called the car company (St. John Car rental) and they said "no problem! We will leave the key for you at the restaurant across the street and the number of the space where you can find it. So amazingly simple! We just had to be back to the rental agency early the next day to fill out all the paperwork.

I would imagine that just about any rental agency on St. John would do the same for you. Just give them a call and ask them.

Dean

PS. YOU ARE GOING TO LOVE CONCORDIA!!!!
=)