We are going June 15 2012. I have read that you can rent a car in St thomas take the car barge for $50. Thanks for the breakdown. Right now we have 4 people but it may be cheaper to rent the car and take it over. Any car companies that you have used to rent?
A 4WD rented on STT is the way to go - and I have gone every way except private taxi. In addition - spend the extra $50/week and rent from Amelia Car Rental - their vehicles are essentially brand new and they will have the vehicle waiting for you curbside at STT with necessary paperwork ready to go (and organized) - they stay in contact with on departure day and will be curbside at STT for drop-off. - very professional and nice-courteous people as well. It was well worth the extra $50 for the new car and the service convenience.
Contrary to some opinion - it is not hard to drive from STT to RedHook and take the car barge (other than driving on the left hand side - just follow the flow). I wish I had did this years ago - live and learn.
btw - the car barge is $30 1-way - do not buy a RT ticket (not worth the $5 saving and you can use any barge that is waiting). There is also a $3 fee on the RedHook side for departures. You wait in your car in the car barge lot (next to passenger ferry terminal)to be directed onto the car barge. Unlike the public ferries (and taxis) - there is no additional fees for baggage. Also, you can stop by Cost-U-Less on the way to RedHook - there are signs on the road (a starfish iirc) leading you to RedHook. Essentially get over to Route 38 and follow to RedHook.
Directions stored in my iPhone with a stop at Cost-u-less (also refer to Google Map of STT to get idea of the directions below):
Turn right out of the airport and continue along the waterfront through several lights until the very end where you take a left at the light. The WICO cruise ship and Havensight Mall and Yacht Haven Grande will be on your right. A Pueblo Supermarket will be kitty-corner across the street and you'll pass by (on the left) a small KMart and MacDonalds, etc. Stay in the right lane at the next light and go right onto Rte 38. You'll go up Raphune Hill which segues into Weymouth Rhymer Highway, A couple of miles down the road you'll come to a traffic light and a big sign on the left for Market Square East. Turn in there and you'll see CostULess right there.
When you come out of CostULess, turn left and continue on Rte 38. If you need to stop for anything else go into the Tutu Park Mall which will be on your left and where you'll find the big KMart and the supermarket Plaza Extra. Continue on Rte 38 after Tutu Park Mall and at the second light turn right to continue on Rte 38 which will take you past Wyndham Sugar Bay, Point Pleasant, Sapphire, etc. and all the way into Red Hook where the ferry terminal will be on your left.
Just take whichever barge is leaving first and best advised to get a one-way ticket as they don't honor each other's tickets and you don't want to get hung up on your return trip.
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enjoy
It takes ~17 mins to drive from WSJ to the parking lot at Trunk Bay... We can leave at 3:40pm - get to Trunk Bay when the Ranger Station is closed at 4pm (saving $7pp fee) hang out snorkling - watch the sunset (watch out for nosseums) - on the way back - loop by Woody's to-go window for Bushwackers ($1 off during happyhour) - and even swing by Starfish or STJ Market to pick up supplies. Try that with a taxi-bus.
