Some great tips from one of our St John villa owners….
I hope the following information will assist you “newbie’s” as well as past guests that now consider Bordo Mare and Sopra Mare home!
Car Rentals
For years the single most frequent asked question to me is “Where should I rent a car?” I believe I might have mislead guests by simply responding rent your car on St John. I’ve spent a good deal of time last week doing research on costs to get to St John and what it means to you the traveler.
Car Rental on St John
Assuming you are a party of four and of course you over pack and have four bags. You’ve decided at all costs you will rent a car on St. John. Therefore, when you retrieve your bags at the airport you will walk out and a nice man will direct you to a van holding ten or twelve other passengers. This trip to Red Hook may be as short as thirty minutes or as long as an hour considering traffic and how many stops the van makes to drop off riders at hotels.
Van cost 4 people $40
Four bags $2 each $8
Tip $2
Total to Red Hook $50
Once you get inside the ferry terminal turn left and buy one way ferry tickets – cost for round trip is the same and this way you won’t lose the return while your on holiday. Opps! Don’t forget to get ticket for each of the four bags. Cause it gives the little guy by the ferry taking tickets great please to make you return to the ticket counter for the bag tickets!
Ferry Ticket Cost 4 People $30
Baggage $4.00/bag $16
Total to Cruz Bay $46
Now you’ve arrived! Don’t forget the tip to the boat handlers unloading your bags – another $5.00. So the total cost of getting from the airport to Cruz Bay dock is ($50.00+$46.00+$5.00) =$101.00 and this is only one way! Total round trip about $202.00.
If you decide to do this, and you may not have any alternative if you arrive late or leave early then rent on St John. I researched a number of St. John car rental agencies. Most are located within a five minute walk from the ferry dock and all prices are “about” the same. I’ve heard good and bad comments practically about everyone. A lot like airlines you gotta use one so the choice is pretty much up to you.
Oh, by the way, you have now handled your bags a total of three times since you touched down at the St Thomas airport.
Car Rental on St Thomas
If you all arrival before 3:00 pm on your incoming flight and depart back to the real world after 10:00 am. I now strongly recommend renting on St Thomas. There are all the major agencies and the price per week is about $725.00. Just remember don’t rent from Hertz as they will not allow cars off the island.
The below St Thomas agencies will allow vehicles on the barge to St John.
Discount Car Rental Dependable Car Rental
Budget Rent A Car Amalie Car Rental
Now this is where it gets interesting. Pay the nice lady $3.00 port fee then another nice lady will line you up for loading on the barge. Once you back onto the barge – yes, I did say “back” onto the barge (Pretty interesting your first time). You will pay $30.00 one-way, nope no credit cards, no checks, CASH ONLY! Only get a one-way ticket as this allows you the freedom upon return to use any barge in service. Total cost $63.00.
You handled your baggage just once from airport to your our villa.
Total costs
St. John Rental $202
St. Thomas Rental $ 63
Total Savings $139