TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums US VI and Puerto Rico Car Rental in St. Thomas at the Airport? Longs waits?

Just wondering if anyone has had any experience renting a car in St. Thomas and if its a quick and easy process or a long one? We get in 11am tomorrow and rather then take a taxi to the marina and then again to shopping for provisions I was thinking it might be more convenient to rent a car for the day. Probably rent on arrival and return later in the day. Cost looks like it will be a little more then just using a taxi for all our needs but at the same time it gives us flexibility to explore as well.

But if the rental and return process is a mess there and takes a while I'm thinking it may not be worth it? I'm a hertz gold member and have always had good luck with things moving quickly, just not sure if that applies in STT?

Thanks!

Car rentals in STT have been a hot mess with the big uptick in visitors. If you check out the TripAdvisor forums you can read some of the threads. Vehicle shortages and visitors not being able to locate something to rent are common (booked out months if not a year in advance). Some people with the traditional big rental companies wait hours for their car at the airport or are told their rental can’t be fulfilled.

Paradise, a local company, meets you at the airport and then will pick up the vehicle at the marina for an up charge. They likely won’t have anything available at such short notice but it is worth a shot.

Thanks, that was what I was wondering about. Does look like there's some decent availability looking at Expedia but I question the accuracy. Haven't looked direct with any companies yet. Sounds like we may be better off just taking taxis as needed!

Don’t rely on web reservations and info. Call the on island location.

Thanks! I think we'll just stick with a taxi for now, but I will certainly call if we change our mind.

I have had decent luck with Budget, as long as you are flexible on the specific vehicle. You do not need 4WD. Avis is more problematic.

Which marina, Compass Point? Food Center is a good bet near there. Good butcher.

Cheers, RickG

So we're here. We didn't rent a car and I wish we did. We arrived at 11 and were told we wouldn't be able to board until 5. Not having a place to leave our luggage made it difficult to do anything so we just sat atoms the base area waiting. Not so much fun with an active six year old. But we survived and we were actually able to board around 3pm. We met some great people there who boarded the same time we did even though they paid extra to board early.

So far so good with our boat. Few minor issues like not being able to lock to boat, lazy Jack's are there but no pack for the sail to sit in. Only 1 electric winch works out of at least 4. But we can make due with all that.

Food center was great for provisioning. Had 3 carys and tl3 guys helped get them over and stuff loaded in the dinghy - well worth the $20 tip I gave them. Only change is have made of I could go back was to arrive closer to 5. 2pm arrival getting to the base around 3 would have worked well. If the boat wasn't ready early the dive bar opens at 3.