Car rental help

[fmzip]

We are coming to st john for our first ever on February 25th- March 5th. Our flight arrives at 2:36PM and departs at 4:50PM

My question is this. During this time of the year, how much time do I need to get off the island on my departure day? Say for example if I were told to take the 1:00pm ferry, how early should I arrive?

Also on our arrival day, do I have enough time to get a vehicle in St Thomas and then get over to St John? It looks like renting on St John may be an issue this time of year. From what I read, discount car rental on St thomas allows their vehicles to go over the ferry and has service on St John. I think I may go this route so I don't have to haul our luggage on the passenger ferry .

Thought and suggestions would be helpful. Convenience over cost is what I am after. I am sort of wondering with a 10:30AM check out, we certainly need a vehicle on the last day so renting in St Thomas seems to be the best approach

[loria]

you may hove trouble finding a car at this point on STJ--but call all the places you can (we're there at the same time--if you want to have a drink)--for a first visit i would say try to rent on STJ for convenience--intemrs of the ferry--it leaves at 1--if you are there at 12:30 you should be fine --and even later you'd probably be ok (some may disagree!)
we rent from cool breeze --they sort of work on island time in busy times--but we've not had problems--
if you end up renting on STT then you are dependent on the car barge schedule--anyway, have fun and have a great time!

[fmzip]

Thanks for the offer on the drinks!

Wow, I am getting worried here. No car won't really work, would it? How would we get around, get food for the week, get to the beach? Taxi to and from the Villa??

Would I have better luck just getting a vehicle on St Thomas instead or will that be the same scenario as far as availability??

[Muhaha]

Don't worry, you'll find something. As mentioned, try the on-island places first. If you don't find anything, then try the St Thomas agencies. From what I hear, you will want to stay away from Budget. I hear Discount and Dependable both being good STT companies to rent from.

If you do rent on STT and you are getting in early enough, no worries there are lot's of car barges. I think there are 3 barge operators and they are staggered schedules such that one is leaving every half hour.

Regardless, you should start trying to book a car immediately.

[samoka]

On my first trip I rented on STT and had no problems at all - we got the car - drove to Red Hook and ferry over to STJ - I agree the convenience factor of not transferring people and bags is critical - so my advice would be to rent on STT if that is what would work for you.

[sadams]

We just returned from 10 days in STJ...We have a lot of snow to get rid of today, but thinking about the sun filled days we just enjoyed will help.
I can't say enough good things about Discount Car Rental in STT. We were picked up in a brand new Jeep Liberty shortly after we got our luggage at the airport. The driver takes you to the office (a short drive away) to do the paper work and you are off to the car barge in Red Hook. Dorette (?) gave us exact directions to get gas and groceries on the way. We were also given printed directions to get back. You never have to switch luggage around, because they drive you back to the airport in "your" car when you return. Most of the cars are new and were well taken car of..no clunkers here. Good luck!!
Oh yes, your flight times are pretty similar to ours yesterday. Plenty of time to get to STJ and plenty of time to return to STT. We got on the 12:30 car barge, drove to Frenchtown and had a great lunch and still got to the airport around 3 for our 5:10 flight.

[papabou]

we've done 13 trips to stj since oct 04 and always rented auto on stt (4 wh dr for last 9 trips and now wouldn't even think of renting a car). last several times have rented form discount and found them reliable and a pleasure to deal with. also had good results with dependable. still for 1st timer to stt and stj, i'd recommend renting on stj if you can get a jeep at this late date.

we fly out of atl and our flt times usually similar to yours so renting on stt has pluses of ease of handling baggage but mainly transportation for departure day when we usually spend a little time on stt before our flt. my biggest concern on renting on stt is a mechanical problem on stj and the time and potential cost of taking care of. but then when's the last time someone has a had a real problem with a rental?

since you are arriving on friday, i suggest you avoid the tutu area which is the route most folks take to red hook. we normally do the skyline drive from char amalie to car barge at red hook. folks at discount (or dependable) can give you good directions.

good luck and enjoy.

papabou

[fmzip]

Thanks for the advise.

Just booked with Discount Car Rental on St Thomas. They have coverage on St John in the event of mechanical failure however you need to take care of flats. They provide you with a spare and a can of fix a flat.

Big word of advice, don't assume your auto policy covers you for rentals. I read my policy this morning and it does not. If you have an American express card, sign up for the rental coverage. You only get charged for the service when you rent a vehicle. Here's a link:

https://www295.americanexpress.com/prem ... tiple_pcrp

[sadams]

I'm glad that you are all set on your rental. Regarding insurance....I called our Nationwide agent and she confirmed that we were covered for rentals in USVI. I just took along one of our extra proof of insurance cards, but Discount didn't even need to see it.

[fmzip]

We just returned from 10 days in STJ...We have a lot of snow to get rid of today, but thinking about the sun filled days we just enjoyed will help.
I can't say enough good things about Discount Car Rental in STT. We were picked up in a brand new Jeep Liberty shortly after we got our luggage at the airport. The driver takes you to the office (a short drive away) to do the paper work and you are off to the car barge in Red Hook. Dorette (?) gave us exact directions to get gas and groceries on the way. We were also given printed directions to get back. You never have to switch luggage around, because they drive you back to the airport in "your" car when you return. Most of the cars are new and were well taken car of..no clunkers here. Good luck!!
Oh yes, your flight times are pretty similar to ours yesterday. Plenty of time to get to STJ and plenty of time to return to STT. We got on the 12:30 car barge, drove to Frenchtown and had a great lunch and still got to the airport around 3 for our 5:10 flight.

Do you think we will have time to get groceries and still catch the car barge with a 2:30 arrival? Is the food that much more expensive on ST John? What are we talking 20-30% higher?

[sadams]

Our flight came in at 2:10 and we had plenty of time to stop at Food Center. Our problem was buying so much we hardly had room for the four of us! Anyway, You can see how your time is. I think we got the 4:30 car barge from Red Hook.
I think we definitely saved getting some basic things in STT. Once we were in STJ we shopped at Star Fish Market for breakfast and lunch items.
Feel free to send an email if you have any other questions. Where are you staying??

[fmzip]

Thanks for the info.....
We decided to stay at Bay Rum Breeze:

http://www.vrbo.com/331278

[BRY1105]

From what I hear, you will want to stay away from Budget.

True. I am normally not one to talk bad about a company, but on my last trip Budget overbooked. We waited hours to get a vehicle, which was not even the one I reserved 6 months ahead of time.