Airport To Ferry Taxi ???'s

Travel discussion for St. John
Post Reply
minnjim
Posts: 111
Joined: Mon Sep 24, 2007 11:23 am

Airport To Ferry Taxi ???'s

Post by minnjim »

So are there "typical" taxis at the airport? Like in Chicago or New York where you just get in and tell them where you want to go? Or are they like big passenger vans you share with other people and might end up having to make several stops before yours? And if they are, can you arrange private transportation to the ferry?
PA Girl
Posts: 4485
Joined: Tue Aug 29, 2006 11:55 am

Post by PA Girl »

To the best of my knowledge, the taxis are all vans. At least I have never seen passenger cars.

Unless you arrange a private van you will be in with a group. I think the dispatcher may group by destination but no guarantees.

There are several services that will take you alone (privately). We use Christopher Taxi but I don't have the phone # handy. Your rental agent may have a favorite and I am sure others will chime in with their preference.
UF Prof
Posts: 111
Joined: Fri Jul 20, 2007 12:22 pm
Location: Gainesville, FL

Post by UF Prof »

I think all the taxis are something like 12-passenger vans. Someone will direct you to one that is filling with passengers going to the same ferry once you start out the door with your bags. The fee is pretty reasonable. If you are going to Red Hook, it can be a bit of a wild ride. I have not seen regular cabs at the airport.
User avatar
Pia
Posts: 5041
Joined: Mon Aug 07, 2006 10:38 pm
Location: St John

Post by Pia »

They are large passenger vans :)

You can book a private taxi but remember you do pay a premium as the vans carry approx 10 passengers so there is an upcharge for just a few people - I think it is in the $90.00 range???? from the airport to Red Hook for example.

Christophers is one of the more popular ones that people use so I'm sure someone will give you his number and more info on cost.

Pia
User avatar
Ksea
Posts: 1823
Joined: Mon May 21, 2007 3:04 pm

Post by Ksea »

Our party of 5 used the "van taxi" to Red Hook. We made one quick stop to let another small group off at a Hotel. I enjoyed the ride very much!
Image
minnjim
Posts: 111
Joined: Mon Sep 24, 2007 11:23 am

Post by minnjim »

Thanks to all. It doesn't sound all that bad. what the heck...I'm on vacation!! Is there a bar in the van? :D
User avatar
waterguy
Posts: 4307
Joined: Wed Aug 09, 2006 3:06 pm
Location: Green Bay ,WI

Post by waterguy »

no bar but have had them stop to pick up a six pack for the road
Tom
Lex
Posts: 918
Joined: Mon Jul 02, 2007 10:23 pm
Location: northeast US

Post by Lex »

We've never arranged private transportation. Never crossed my mind to do so. If I was trying to move a large group, I'd consider it. We get a rum punch on our way to the baggage area. When we have our luggage, we wander out to the taxi area and find a van going to Red Hook. If the dispatcher tries to steer us to CA for one reason or another, we generally go with the flow. Either way we get to STJ and it's not that big a deal for me. I do make a point of geting clear about the total costs (fare, luggage, whatever) and I do that before I get in the van. Eliminates surprises when we reach the ferry.

I enjoy the ride across the island. Helps me to slow down and begin to shift into Island Time. I usually slip my watch off at some point and put it away. We've met some nice folks in the van--people who are as excited as we are to be there. Most times our van has gone directly to the ferry. We've enjoyed it the couple of times that passengers have been dropped off at places along the way. We get to see a bit more of the island and since there's no place we have to be by any particular time for a week or two, we're certainly in no hurry.

When the ferry comes, we get on. I don't really pay attention to the times. If we miss a ferry, we don't mind. Another one will come and we get to sip an Carib and enjoy the scene at the ferry dock. We have time to continue to slow down and just marvel at how beautiful it all is.No place that I need to be, so I'm in no hurry. Life's sweet and slow in the VI.
User avatar
Red
Posts: 8
Joined: Tue May 15, 2007 1:23 pm
Location: Nashville

Post by Red »

We always use Dynamic Tours,Freddy! Here's the website http://dynamictoursvi.com . There are wonderful and have always been on time, very dependable.

Have fun!
User avatar
Tracy in WI
Posts: 1624
Joined: Tue Aug 08, 2006 8:39 am
Location: Wisconsin

Post by Tracy in WI »

Lex - I love your reply - you sound just like me. I think the ride over is a bit fun and I love the "tour" of the island. Go with the flow....!

Tracy
Tracy, Seaside Properties at Grande Bay
minnjim
Posts: 111
Joined: Mon Sep 24, 2007 11:23 am

Post by minnjim »

Red wrote:We always use Dynamic Tours,Freddy! Here's the website http://dynamictoursvi.com . There are wonderful and have always been on time, very dependable.

Have fun!
Checked their rates. $50pp/rt. That would be $200 for the four of us or $100 for each way. How does that compare to the van/luggage rates for four each way. Anybody know?
User avatar
Pia
Posts: 5041
Joined: Mon Aug 07, 2006 10:38 pm
Location: St John

Post by Pia »

Normal rates from the airport to Red Hook is $15.00 pp including 1 piece of luggage (I believe) - at least that's what I pay and I just hand it to him when I have 1 bag :)

Pia
User avatar
Gromit
Posts: 3459
Joined: Mon Aug 28, 2006 2:11 pm
Location: Northern Virginia

Post by Gromit »

Like others here, I have never arranged for a taxi in advance. Like others also, I don't mind hanging with several new friends on the short ride to the CA ferry. To the CA ferry with luggage for two is about $20 and that includes a generous tip. We prefer the CA ferry because we like a longer ferry ride vs a longer taxi ride. It's all a matter of timing and preference.

Those guys at the airport have it down to a science. Don't try to tell them how to pack though- that annoys them!

Funny Taxi story: sometimes the taxi will make a quick stop at another hotel along the way to the ferry -- although they usually try to group people together according to destination. Anyway, there was a couple in the van with us who were getting dropped off at a hotel in French Town (on the way to Downtown ferry). When they got there, the driver got out to get their luggage and they looked at the hotel. The husband had a hotel brochure in his hand and kept looking at the brochure and back at the hotel with no beach and dumpsters out front. Back and forth, back and forth. It was CLEARLY not what he was expecting or what the brochure represented. He had this panicked look on his face and all I could think is that his wife was never going to let him hear the end of it!!

Oh well! Unless you've got high maintenance people or babies, just go with a regular taxi and save your $$$ for Skinny Legs!
*Another fine scatterbrained production
User avatar
RickG
Posts: 5397
Joined: Wed Aug 23, 2006 3:06 pm
Location: Coral Bay, St. John

Post by RickG »

I agree with Gromit. I get a private taxi if we have special needs: the very young or the very old. That standard taxis are always fine to CA. 5 or 6 years ago we had a problem with one Red Hook taxi due to an exhaust leak. But, the taxi vans are looking a lot newer these days.

Cheers, RickG
S/V Echoes - Coral Bay - St. John, VI
Post Reply