People do it both ways. There are trade offs. Vehicles are usually cheaper to rent on STT, but the car ferry costs a bit. By renting on STT, you don't have to deal with luggage transfer and have the option of stopping to shop on STT before heading for the ferry.

Renting on STJ has some plusses---you can park in the rental company's lot when you're in Cruz Bay, you don't have to deal with driving on STT. For us, the clincher is that if I have a problem with the vehicle, I want to be dealing with a company that's located on the same island. And we like to give our business to the folks on STJ.

I know this is just me, but I can't wait to get my feet onto STJ so we always just get over on the first available ferry and do our shopping in Cruz Bay before heading to whereever we've rented a cottage.

I don't think there's a right or wrong answer, it's just personal preference. FWIW, to me the prices on STJ are NOT so outrageously high that I'd want to hassle with driving on the more confusing roads of STT, doing a big shop, dealing with the car ferry, etc. Plus, as Nick said, if something goes wrong with your car on STJ (unlikely, but could happen), you have an extra headache dealing with that... during your honeymoon.

Either way, have a LOVELY trip!!

Some very good points I hadn't considered; thanks to both of you!

I second the breaking down thing - most of the time it would never happen BUT if you do loose the keys (need to go to STT to get a spare 🙁 ) get a flat tire, breakdown etc how will you feel? I watched a couple who rented in STT wait 6 hours for someone to come help (they were stuck in Coral Bay just standing by the car) Just something to keep in mind.

As unlikely as it may be to break down on STJ, it did happen to us. We had a tire blow out on the Coral Bay side (rolled off the rim), and had to resort to the spare. Normally this wouldn't have been an issue, but we decided that we would not have been comfortable driving around for the rest of the week without a useable spare - those of you who know those roads on STJ understand. We dropped the tire at the rental company in Cruz Bay (Varlack); they fixed the tire and we were able to pick it up the next morning - very little inconvenience considering the circumstances. So it *could* happen.

I say (having recently been married on St. John) forget the little bit of savings in St. Thomas, head right to St. John, get a car, shop local and then kick back and relax.....for the little bit of money you'll save in St. Thomas you'll get a lot more headache trying to get back and forth, leave the car, take the car, find a cab, etc........Head straight for St. John and forget St. Thomas even exists...... Congrats and enjoy the trip!

As someone who grew up on STJ, I have to echo what many have written. Take a taxi to Red Hook and rent a car on STJ.

Another solution that I can offer is to purchase an igloo cooler, pack it with dry ice and items that you would like to eat while honeymooning on STJ. The key is checking with the airlines to make sure that they'll allow you to check it as a luggage piece.

Congratulations and enjoy yourself in Love City!

Dry ice is not allowed on aircraft. Your frozen food will be fine without it with a good cooler.

Thanks to everyone! The cooler is an interesting concept; but not sure it will work for us. We're leaving from home the day before, staying overnight at the airport, then heading to USVI. With the wedding on a Saturday morning, we aren't scheduled to arrive at the villa until late Sunday afternoon. I like Jill's idea the best!

I would echo the sentiments of get your newlywed butts over to St. John as soon as humanly possible and rent a vehicle there! ENJOY!
Lisa in CT

If you can afford the extra $$$ of car rental and extra grocery $ on STJ, it is worth it for convenience. If not, rent the car and buy groceries on STT. You WILL save on STT - car rental fee and groceries.

I have never rented the car on STJ. I have, however, rented the car on STT and then grocery shopped on STJ....because I was anxious to just get to STJ...even though I love STT too.

If I was on a serious budget (which I frequently am) I wouldn't hesitate to grocery shop at Cost-U-Less on STT and ferry over with groceries in trunk.

Whatever works!