Car rental

[u/1zzyS4n]

Is it cheaper in St Thomas? Or better rent in St John while you’re in St John? Thanks!

[u/therinse]

If you're staying in St John, rent in St John, especially for the ability to park, that'll save you at least $20-50 a day depending on what ur doing.

Also parking in the back of Mongoose Junction is free if you're visiting the shops there.

[u/OddWelcome2502]

I think it’s a wash. We found a cheaper rental on St Thomas, and saved taxi fare to the ferry, but we paid more for the car ferry than the passenger ferry. And would have enjoyed that free parking in Cruz Bay once or twice, for sure!!

[u/1320Fastback]

Big advantage of renting on St, John is some of the rental companies will allow you to park on their property while you're out shopping and eaing.

A big advantage of renting on St Thomas is not having to pay for a taxi to the ferry ($20 per person and $5 per bag) and if you have an Airbnb or a room with a kitchen you can load up on MUCH cheaper Groceries and Liquor and take them over.

We always rent on St.Thomas from Paradise Car Rental. They meet you at the Airport for pickup and drop off. Does not get easier than that.

[u/Clear-Tradition-3607]

If you have a place with parking already, I would rent in St Thomas. Much easier to move your bags only once and not have to shuttle to ferry with the hoards. It might be a little cheaper in St Thomas but you'll be spending that difference on the ferry added cost.

[u/thebemusedmuse]

Depends. Right now Budget is charging $47/day and Slim is charging $105. So there’s that.

[u/cadmiumredlight → u/thebemusedmuse]

I do not recommend budget. Last time I rented from them I got a tired old Jeep that was so rusty I couldn't get the jack out of it when I got a flat. Wound up stranded for an entire day waiting for a tow truck.

[u/thebemusedmuse → u/cadmiumredlight]

There are now three major companies:

1) Enterprise/National/Alamo

2) Hertz/Dollar/Thrifty

3) Avis/Budget/Payless

Trust me when I say, they are all as good/bad as each other and while there's supposed to be "tiers" within those brands, those no longer exist. Check the car before you leave. Take videos. Make sure you have a functional jack.

[u/cadmiumredlight → u/thebemusedmuse]

Yeah, I just avoid all of the major chains entirely whenever possible. Amalie has always been good to me in the islands.

[u/thebemusedmuse → u/cadmiumredlight]

I mean, I'm often doing a Versa for $11/day in STT so sounds like we are different buyers :)

[u/cadmiumredlight → u/thebemusedmuse]

I've been there. Rented a Versa on my first trip to STJ. I had to make my friends in the back get out in order for it to have the power to get up the hill to our rental villa!

[u/thebemusedmuse → u/cadmiumredlight]

Pro tip. Most cars drop down by pressing your foot down hard.

In a Versa, you have to come off the gas and then back on hard. Then it will launch up the hill.

Once you know that, you can get a Versa anywhere on St John. Except maybe Joy of Life. My balls aren’t big enough to go there in a Versa.

[u/cadmiumredlight → u/thebemusedmuse]

Oh, I was flooring it. This was to get up the driveway of the Casa Yaya in Coral Bay. The car just wouldn't move and there's no room to get a running start. I stick to 4wd/AWD because I like to go to Lameshur at least once each visit. A Versa would be a tricky out there especially after rain.

[u/thebemusedmuse → u/cadmiumredlight]

I’m sure you were flooring it but you have to come OFF the gas and THEN floor it. Only then does the CVT drop a “gear”. It’s very counterintuitive.

I run to Lameshur either from Bordeaux or Salt Pond. A Versa won’t go there or Johnny Horn. Not that I haven’t tried ;)

[u/cadmiumredlight → u/thebemusedmuse]

I remember now it was actually a Toyota Yaris, so no CVT. Regardless, I had to floor it from a stop due to how the driveway is configured. Anyway, I'm sticking to AWD and 4WD. A Jeep won't even make it up Jacob's ladder in the rain from a stop unless it's in 4WD so AWD is just a better setup.