Transporting pet on island
Hi all,
I'm moving to STJ in August, and while my dog is able to fly with me, I'm concerned with getting him to St John from the STT airport. I won't have my own vehicle yet - so is there any rental car companies that allow pets in their vehicles? When I was there in May, I didn't think the taxis seemed pet-friendly, but I may be wrong there. If anyone has experience with this please let me know!
Rachel
If you want to to do the taxi route, suggest you call Rachel Brown, a wonderful taxi driver who does private airport/Red Hook pickups. Her number is 340-771-2986. If she's unable to do it herself she'll hook you up with another driver who'll take care of you. Good luck with the move!
on stx instead of stt, but had my dog with me when I rented a car at the airport from Budget in March. No issue about it, other than that their paperwork does say no dirt etc from animals should remain in car when returned.
Call and ask Budget.
I'm sure you can rent a car as if bringing pup on plane he's probably pretty small.
Or do you have a service dog?
However we do have only 2 barges in service at present and there may be delays in getting over to STJ or you might not at all if delays are significant enough, as they have been. Plus it will also depend on what time your flight arrives.
The barges don't run as late as the regular passenger ferry even when they had 4 in service.
Do you have to arrange transportation on STJ if you don't rent a car on STT?
Here's contact for VI Taxi Association, Inc. You can call them to inquire about your pet and transportation issues.
PO BOX 1377
ST. Thomas, USVI 00801 (340) 774-4550 Office
Here's the passenger and barge schedule but be aware only 2 are in service out of the regular 4 that normally operate.
http://www.vinow.com/travel/virgin-islands-ferry-schedules/
Good luck.
Unless you were planning on renting a car from STT to take to STJ and use until you get settled and buy a vehicle, I don't really see the point of doing it just to take your dog over there when a taxi can easily be arranged. The round trip ferry fee is $50, plus the rental on the vehicle and when staying on STJ (unlike on STT or a day trip to STJ)) you need a 4WD drive vehicle to get around for the most part. The set private taxi rate airport to Red Hook is $90 which includes luggage. Presumably you're all set with a place to stay and, if someone there can't pick you up from the ferry, Rachel Brown will assuredly help you out with contacts for that too. She is, by the way, a longtime licensed taxi driver and very well known on STT, a delightful woman, very warm and welcoming (and she has a dog she adores)!
If you plan on renting a car until you get your own, much more convenient to rent on STJ. Your main concern which led to thinking about renting a vehicle on STT was, it seems, because you didn't think it easy to find a taxi to transport you and the pooch to Red Hook but that's really not complicated at all.
I second calling Rachel the taxi driver -- she is delightful. I haven't used her services for awhile, but it is around $50-$60 to transport one person and one pet plus a couple of bags. If you don't reserve a private taxi, the regular taxis have the right to charge you the cost of a fully loaded taxi (I think $90+) just to take you and your pet.
I would avoid renting a car on STT, especially because the barge situation is an unknown quantity. There may be several barges running by the time you move, but in recent weeks there has been only one or two, and the lines have been looooooong. Like, 5+ hours long, doing nothing but waiting in your car in the sun. Not what you want to be doing with an animal, especially after a day of air travel.
Do you have a way to transport the pup to where you are staying once you get to STJ?
Thanks so much for all your insight!! I had no idea the barge situation was that bad right now. Ultimately my plan was to rent a vehicle on STT and take it over to STJ for a few days while I get settled. But it's sounding like my best bet is to call Rachel and then rent a car on STJ to avoid the barge. Thanks everyone!
You can make a reservation on Capt.Vic car barge for the trip over as long as you do so 72 hours in advance. I posted the link on another topic here on this forum.
If I find, I'll repost for you.
Here's the link.
http://www.lovecitycarferries.com/book-now.html
Give yourself plenty of time for delays when your make the reservation for a specific time going over.
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