When visiting St. John from St. Thomas, you have two ferry options: the car ferry (taking your rental car) or the passenger ferry (leaving your car behind). Vehicles rented from the Alamo, Enterprise, and National locations at Cyril E. King Airport in St. Thomas may travel between St. Thomas and St. John via the vehicle ferry without rental-company restrictions or special permission. All rentals must be picked up and returned in St. Thomas. There is no St. John rental location.
Car Ferry: Pros and Cons
Pros
- Freedom to explore St. John at your own pace
- No need to hire taxis on St. John
- Can carry beach gear, coolers, and equipment
- Access to remote beaches that taxis may not reach
Cons
- Higher cost (vehicle fare plus passenger fares)
- Navigating St. John's narrow, steep roads
- Longer wait times at the terminal
- Limited ferry schedule compared to passenger ferry
Passenger Ferry: Pros and Cons
Pros
- Lower cost (no vehicle fare)
- More frequent departures
- No driving on St. John's challenging roads
- Faster boarding process
- No need to bring a vehicle across
Cons
- Must use taxis on St. John to get around
- Less flexibility for spontaneous exploration
- Limited cargo capacity for beach gear
- Taxi costs can add up for multiple stops
Which Should You Choose?
Choose the car ferry if:
- You are comfortable driving on narrow, steep roads
- You want to visit multiple remote beaches
- You have lots of beach gear
- You prefer the freedom of your own vehicle
Choose the passenger ferry if:
- You prefer not to drive on St. John's roads
- You want to save money
- You are doing a short day trip
- You plan to visit popular beaches accessible by taxi
Taxi Costs on St. John
If you take the passenger ferry, taxi rates on St. John are posted at the Cruz Bay taxi stand. Costs vary by destination. For multiple beach visits, taxi fares can approach the cost of the car ferry, making the car ferry more economical.
The Bottom Line
For a full day of exploration on St. John, the car ferry offers the best value and flexibility. For a quick visit or if you are uncomfortable driving on St. John's roads, the passenger ferry with taxis is the simpler option. Ferry schedules, fares, and capacity may change — confirm current details before you travel.
