ICHTUS, its my experience that VITRAN buses are not that reliable. And, a lot depends on where you want to go and if you have a timeframe in which you need to get there/back. I just hang on the side of the road in the direction I want to go at a bus stop or .....wherever may be a common place for either "dollar taxis" / "Safari" or VITRAN stops. There maybe some areas where you just have to give up hoping for a bus/dollar taxi and you may have to resort to a regular taxi. For example, I've taken the safari from Crown Bay to Home Depot or the Big Kmart but have had to take a regular taxi for my return trip. Which, worked out ok most of the time because I had a lot or big purchases so a regular tax fit my need anyway. Taxis can get expensive though and, as has been pointed out in other posts, visitors are often better off just renting a car during their stay.

It is easy to spot the bus on St. Thomas....

Priceless ......what a way to start my Sunday with a great laugh 🙂

Hello Ichtus,

The ability to get around St. Thomas by public bus depends on where you are traveling to/from. For example... there is a bus stop just outside the entrance to Wyndham Sugar Bay if you were staying there... however if you were staying out at Magens Pt. the bus route doesn't go that way. The public buses are marked with their destination, the bus company is called Vitran and the buses have that written on them. I don't know of any bus map or guide and the bus stops don't have the schedule posted that I have ever seen. You may be able to use the public bus some for getting around, but you will also need to use taxis.

--Islander

Thanks for the input. We've decided to rent a car. Now, I need advice on which rental agency is the most economic, but reliable. Our cruise ship is docking at Crown Bay.

Hey ICHTUS,
I think we thought you would be in St. Thomas for a week, but if you are arriving by cruise ship, I assume you are looking for transportation for just one day. If that is the case, do taxis or the safari bus.
bosie

What you want to do for the day and how many are in your group should determine the mode of transportation you need.

Renting a car is sometimes intimidating for the first-time visitor, because driving is done on the left side of the road, it's very hilly, and few streets are clearly marked. And, it can be difficult to understand someone's verbal directions if you're not familiar with landmarks.

The most popular methods of transportation are pick-up trucks converted into multi-passenger vehicles called safaris. Most of the taxi drivers use this type of vehicle, and it's also used for the popular public transportation on the $1/$2 route. Most taxi drivers waiting at the dock will give you an island tour that includes shopping time, scenic outlooks, beach, and return transportation to the ship for approx $25 pp. That'll keep you busy all day.

However, if you've got your heart set on doing something kind of non-traditional (like visiting churches, or trying to see EVERY beach on the island or something like that), then renting a car would be the more affordable option than hiring a private driver for the day.