STT · Rental Cars
Renting a Car in St. Thomas
The Complete Local Guide
Everything you need to know — which companies to use, how to navigate island roads, driving on the left, and taking your rental to St. John.
Having your own wheels in St. Thomas changes the trip entirely. Hidden beaches, hilltop lookouts, roadside roti stands, and sunset drives — none of that happens on a taxi schedule. This guide covers everything you need to rent smart, drive confidently, and make the most of every mile on the island.
01 · Do You Actually Need a Rental Car?
It depends on how you travel. St. Thomas has a fixed-rate taxi system, and many visitors — especially those staying at a resort or spending most of their time in one area — get around perfectly fine without a rental. Taxis are everywhere, and for a couple of short trips a day, they can actually be more cost-effective than a rental once you add up the daily rate, insurance, and gas.
That said, a rental car unlocks the island in a way nothing else does. If you want to beach-hop, explore the Northside, watch the sunset from Drake's Seat, find a roadside johnnycake stand, or just move on your own schedule without waiting for a shared safari bus — rent the car. You'll see a different St. Thomas than the one most tourists experience.
Taxis in St. Thomas charge per person. A family of four going from the airport to Red Hook is looking at $23 per person — that's $92 one way, plus luggage surcharges. Repeat that a few times a day and a rental car pays for itself quickly. For groups of three or more staying multiple days and planning to explore, a rental is almost always the better financial decision.
When a rental makes sense
Rent a car if you're staying three or more days, want to explore beyond your resort, are traveling with kids or a group, plan to visit multiple beaches, or are heading to St. John via the car barge. Skip it if you're on a cruise ship with one day in port, staying at a resort with good shuttle service, or primarily planning to stay in Charlotte Amalie and Havensight.
02 · Rental Companies at the Airport
These companies have desks or counters located directly at or adjacent to Cyril E. King Airport (STT). You'll find them in the baggage claim area or a short walk from the terminal — no shuttle required.
Counter inside the baggage claim area. Fleet of sedans, SUVs, and larger vehicles. Book in advance — they sell out fast during peak season.
Budget STT is an independently operated licensee serving the island for over 40 years. Counter in baggage claim. After-hours key drop available. All vehicles cleared for St. John. budgetstt.com · (340) 776-5774
Independently owned and family-operated STT franchise. Counter located just outside the terminal, a short walk from baggage claim. All major vehicle classes available. hertzstt.com
Rental inventory on St. Thomas runs out. This isn't a mainland airport where you can walk up and grab a car. During peak season (November through April) and holiday weekends, every car on every lot can be gone before your plane touches down. Reserve before you leave home, confirm your reservation the day before travel, and bring your confirmation number in writing.
03 · Off-Airport Rental Companies
These companies are located off airport property but offer shuttle pickup from the airport — typically a 5 to 15 minute ride to their lot. Most will meet you at the baggage claim area or just outside the terminal. Always confirm your pickup arrangement when booking. Several also offer hotel delivery and pickup if you're not starting from the airport.
Agent meets you at baggage claim and shuttles you to the rental lot — approximately 5 minutes from the terminal. All three Enterprise Holdings brands available.
Located at 72 Contant, around the corner from the airport with free airport pickup and drop-off. One of the largest fleets on the island including Jeep Wranglers, Toyota Highlanders, Dodge Rams and more. Open 8AM–5PM daily. discountcar.vi · (340) 776-4858
Meets you at the arrival gate with a sign and checks you in right there. On departure they meet you curbside — no shuttle. All vehicles allowed to St. John. No hidden fees. Brand new fleet. amaliecar.com · (340) 690-0688
Specializes in Jeeps and luxury SUVs. Pickup at the airport, Sapphire Beach, Secret Harbour, Margaritaville, Ritz Carlton, Westin, and more. No deposit rentals, free second drivers. rockcityrentalsvi.com · (340) 227-7813
Local operator offering island-wide delivery and pickup. Great if you're staying at a villa or private property away from the main resort areas. 360carrental.com
Part of the Hertz family of brands. Off-airport location with shuttle service to the lot. Good for Hertz Gold Plus Rewards members. thriftystt.com
Several travelers and local operators will tell you to be cautious with national airport brands — inventory listed online doesn't always match what's physically available on the lot. Local and independent operators on St. Thomas tend to have more reliable inventory and more personalized service. That said, the national brands work fine when booked well in advance and confirmed before travel. Don't show up without a confirmed reservation regardless of which company you choose.
04 · Which Vehicle Should You Choose?
This isn't a flat-road destination. St. Thomas is mountainous, hilly, and riddled with potholes, sharp switchbacks, and narrow roads barely wide enough for two cars to pass. What you drive matters.
Jeep Wrangler — the island favorite
The Jeep Wrangler is the most popular and most recommended rental vehicle on St. Thomas. Ground clearance handles the potholes. The elevated seating position gives you visibility over hills and blind corners. Most companies stock both 2-door and 4-door (Unlimited) versions — the 4-door is worth it if you have passengers or luggage. Most rental companies do not allow you to remove the Jeep top, as tropical rain can appear with zero warning.
SUVs — a solid alternative
Toyota Highlanders, Dodge Durangos, Chevy Trailblazers, and Jeep Compasses are all excellent choices. They offer the ground clearance you need for island roads, seating for five to seven passengers, and trunk space for beach gear.
Sedans — only if nothing else is available
A sedan will technically get you around most of St. Thomas, but you'll feel every pothole and spend more time than you'd like worrying about clearance on unpaved access roads to beaches. If a sedan is all that's left, it'll work — just stay on the main roads.
Before you pull out of the lot, walk around the vehicle and photograph every existing dent, scratch, and scuff. Send those photos to yourself with a time stamp. Island roads are hard on vehicles and rental car disputes over pre-existing damage are frustratingly common. A two-minute photo session protects you completely.
05 · Driving on the Left: What First-Timers Need to Know
Yes, you drive on the left side of the road. No, you don't have to relearn how to drive. Yes, your brain adapts faster than you expect. You drive on the left, but the steering wheel is still on the left side of the car — same as any American vehicle. This means you're sitting closest to the center line, which feels deeply wrong at first. Just keep repeating to yourself: left, left, left.
Especially when leaving a parking lot or making a turn. Your instinct will pull you right. Every time you start moving, consciously tell yourself: left lane.
On St. Thomas, a quick beep isn't road rage — it's "thank you" or "you're welcome." Locals honk when passing on narrow roads or greeting someone they know.
The island is mountainous and the roads are steep, narrow, and winding. Blind corners are everywhere. Speed limits are 15–25 mph in town and 35 mph on country roads.
Traffic circles are the most disorienting part of driving on the left. Stay alert, yield to traffic already in the circle, and follow the car ahead of you as long as you can.
A labyrinth of one-way streets, impossibly narrow roads, and tight corners. Stick to the Waterfront and Main Street, and consider parking and walking wherever possible.
Chickens are everywhere. Goats and deer appear on St. John roads. On St. Thomas, you may occasionally encounter a horse or cow. Take it slow in rural areas.
Some roads have potholes large enough to cause real damage. Locals will swerve into the opposite lane to avoid them — it's normal and expected. Another reason the Jeep is the right call.
Gas stations are not on every corner. Make note of where they are relative to your hotel. Don't let the tank get below a quarter, especially heading to the East End.
It's almost certainly a local who knows every turn of this road. Don't panic — just pull over safely and let them go by. They're not being aggressive, they're just on their way to work. They'll give you a friendly wave on the way past.
06 · Insurance, Requirements & What You Actually Need
What you need to rent
To rent a car on St. Thomas you'll need a valid U.S. driver's license, a major credit card in your name, and your rental confirmation. U.S. citizens do not need a passport. International visitors will need a valid passport and driver's license from their home country. Most companies set the minimum rental age at 25, though some will rent to younger drivers with an additional daily surcharge.
Insurance — what's actually required
You are required by law to present proof of your own insurance when picking up your rental. If you have comprehensive auto insurance at home, it typically extends to rental cars — call your provider to confirm before you travel. Similarly, many credit cards offer collision damage waiver (CDW) coverage when you use the card to pay for the rental. Check both before arriving.
Some rental counters will push hard to sell you additional insurance coverage at the counter. If you already have coverage through your personal policy or credit card, you don't need it. You're required to have your own insurance — not theirs.
Roadside assistance
Confirm your rental company's roadside assistance policy before you drive off the lot. Most local operators have a mobile service company available on both St. Thomas and St. John. Amalie Car Rental specifically offers 24/7 private mobile service on both islands.
07 · Taking Your Rental Car to St. John
Yes, you can take your rental car to St. John — but not with every company, and not without a plan. Most local and independent operators on St. Thomas allow their vehicles to travel to St. John via the car barge. Budget STT and Amalie Car Rental both specifically confirm their entire fleet is cleared for St. John travel. Always confirm with your specific rental company before booking if St. John is part of your plan.
If taking your rental to St. John is part of your trip, ask about the policy before finalizing your reservation — not at the counter when you're picking up the car. If a company doesn't allow it, you'll want to know before you've already paid.
The car barge — how it works
Two operators currently run car barge service between Red Hook (St. Thomas) and Enighed Pond (Cruz Bay, St. John): Big Red Barge and Love City Car Ferries. The crossing takes approximately 30 minutes. Both charge $65 one-way or $80 round-trip per vehicle — passengers and luggage ride along at no extra charge. Arrive at least 25–30 minutes before your intended departure. Online booking is strongly recommended for both operators.
Big Red Barge — bigredbarge.co · (340) 227-0918
Love City Car Ferries — lovecitycarferries.com · (340) 779-4000
For the full car barge schedule, fares, and tips see our St. Thomas Ferry Guide.
08 · Rental Car Cheat Sheet
- Book Early. Inventory sells out fast — especially Jeeps during high season. Book before you leave the mainland. Confirm the day before travel.
- Photograph the Car. Walk the entire vehicle before driving off. Photograph every scratch and dent, timestamp the photos, and send them to yourself.
- Drive Left. Left side of the road, steering wheel on the left. Tell yourself "left, left, left" every time you start moving, especially from parking lots.
- Keep the Tank Up. Don't let gas drop below a quarter tank. Gas stations are sparse and you don't want to be hunting for one on a mountain road at night.
- Rent a Jeep or SUV. Potholes, hills, and narrow roads make ground clearance a genuine necessity. A sedan will get you around — a Jeep will get you everywhere.
- St. John? Confirm First. Ask your rental company about their inter-island policy before you book. Not every company allows vehicles on the car barge.
The island is waiting. Get behind the wheel, keep left, go slow on the hills, and explore every corner of St. Thomas at your own pace. That's the whole point. 🚙🌴
Sources
- Discount Car Rental St. Thomas — discountcar.vi
- Budget Rent A Car St. Thomas — budgetstt.com
- Hertz St. Thomas — hertzstt.com
- Amalie Car Rental — amaliecar.com
- Rock City Rentals VI — rockcityrentalsvi.com
- 360 Car Rental — 360carrental.com
- Thrifty St. Thomas — thriftystt.com
- KAYAK — kayak.com
- VInow.com — vinow.com
- Visit USVI — visitusvi.com