jdnella wrote:
Hi all,

We are heading to STT on Saturday with another couple and among us 3 children all under the age of 4. We are very used to traveling with our kids so not worried about being prepared. Staying at a 2br in Frenchman's Cove...so excited!

We are renting a mini van from Avis so that we can do our traveling on the island together. My husband says that Avis says no ferry. We really would like to go over to St John for a day trip, but how can we do that if we can't bring our own car and we obviously can't lug car seats to use in taxis? I really don't like having my 1-year old and 4-year-old on our laps in a taxi...are there laws against this there? Are we going to have to miss out on St. John? Ugh...it sounds so beautiful!

Thanks in advance for your advice!

Avis DOES allow cars on the ferry. Hertz DOES NOT.

That's the general rule. However, Avis may have said no because the rental is a mini van and they don't feel comfortable with its maneuverability on St John.

What you might do, jdnella, is try and get a one day rental on St John. I don't know what the rental agencies have there apart from Jeeps but they may have a larger 4WD vehicle with a bit more space. It may be a little cramped but that would be the only thing I can think of.

Just made a reservation with AVIS (will cancel it) for a mini van and nowhere on the contract does it state you can not bring it on the ferry. Did your husband make the reservation on line or phone? I rented a mini van Feb 2011 and took it to STJ. I think any information you can provide about not allowing the vehicle on the ferry would be beneficial to all here.

Hertz does state it on the contract.

I also wonder if the OP's husband asked Avis directly if the vehicle could go to St John. Many of the car rental agencies on STT will only rent 4WD (i.e. not 2WD) vehicles to people who are actually staying on St John because of the location of so many of the villa rentals being off steep roads which often necessitate a 4WD option in certain conditions. They may have taken the question as indicating that this is the case with this group and it could boil down to a simple miscommunication.

jdnella. I completely understand about the car seat diligence. I felt the same way when my kids were little (now in college and driving themselves!) The "taxis" on STJ are safari busses--pick-up trucks with bench seats in the back and NO SEAT BELTS! I rode up front with the taxi driver, never in the back, with tots under 4. Personally, I would "risk" taking the van on the ferry or book with another agency. The van will be fine on the roads in STJ for a day trip. You only need 4wd if your accommodations are located on a remote dirt road. The whole 4WD only thing is just a ploy to get tourist to spend more $$ on rental cars and gasoline.

Thanks for your input everyone! Hubby booked online and is now unsure of what he thought he read...now thinking that he saw this on the Hertz website. Guess we will ask Avis when we get there...or just take our chances. I think I prefer the latter! Don't want to miss out!

Agreed. Lots of folks who rent thru Avis take the car over to STJ