USVI-On-Line

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?

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.

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.

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!

Thanks to all. It doesn't sound all that bad. what the heck...I'm on vacation!! Is there a bar in the van?

no bar but have had them stop to pick up a six pack for the road

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.

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!

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

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?

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!

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