Is it Worth Renting a Car in St Croix, USVI in 2024
Get ready for your trip to St Croix! There’s a lot to decide when planning a trip to the Caribbean. Deciding whether or not renting a car in St Croix is worth it for your trip, and how to get around St Croix in general, should be one of those important decisions!
Car rentals in St Croix are extremely affordable and will allow you to immerse yourself in the island life! If you plan on exploring everything St Croix has to offer, the best option is to rent a car when you arrive.
However, you do you other options when it comes to getting around St Croix. St Croix offers readily available taxi services, safari buses, boat rentals, and even a bit of public transportation.
What’s best for you? I have all of your questions answered here.
Booking travel soon? Here are my favorite reputable USVI resources
– Book your villas a vrbo.com
– Find tours at viator.com
– Search for hotels from booking.com
Do You Need a Rental Car in St Croix?
Renting a car will make your stay in St Croix so much easier! The freedom to explore the island, off-the-beaten-path gems, and not having to worry about bus schedules or taxi picks is well worth it.
It is possible to get around without a car, which I’ll get into later by giving you all the transportation options available on the island, and the costs of each.
Your best option for car rentals in booking through Expedia before you arrive on the island for the most options and best prices.
Is It Worth Renting a Car in St Croix?
It is worth renting a car in St Croix, especially if you want to do some real sightseeing.
The island has hidden gems all around that you won’t be able to get to from the main roads.
For sightseeing and even exploring other islands, book your rental car before your arrival to St Croix to make the start of your vacation easy and seamless.
Pick up from the Henry E Rohlsen Airport in St Croix
⭐Book your affordable rental car in St Croix through Expedia
Before you plan your whole trip…is St Croix worth visiting?! ➡️
How Much Does it Cost To Rent a Car in St Croix?
Car rentals in St Croix are extremely affordable. You can get a rental car in St Croix for $50-$100/day.
Even better? You can get a 4-wheel drive vehicle like a Jeep or SUV in St Croix for about $70.
Prices will vary depending on the season. The busy season in USVI is the months outside of hurricane season, which generally runs from June to November. So, prices will likely be higher from December to May, when the risk of hurricanes and rainy days is lower!
Is it Safe to Drive Around St Croix
Yes! Driving in St Croix is extremely safe, as long as you are cautious. The roads are not as well maintained as you might be used to, some roads have heavy potholes and damage that hasn’t been fixed since the hurricanes, and the terrain is very steep – this is where the 4-wheel drive comes in handy!
Can You Rent a Car in St Croix?
To rent a car in St Croix, there are a few things to keep in mind.
1. Age Limits
You must be between the ages of 25-79 to rent a car in St Croix. Some places may rent to younger patrons, but there will likely be a surcharge. Check with your rental company if you’re younger than 25.
2. You’ll Need a Credit Card
You’ll have to have a credit card on file to rent a car with most companies in St Croix. They may place a temporary hold on your account for any potential damages or issues.
3. You Need a US Driver’s License
You also need a US driver’s license to rent a car in St Croix. With a US driver’s license, you can drive in USVI for up to 90 days without applying for a separate permit.
If you have an international driver’s license, you may need to apply for an international license permit before renting a car. Renting car companies will have this information on hand for you if that’s the case!
Driving Laws
The driving laws in St Croix are the same as the driving laws in the US, except that they drive on the left side of the road! Because of the terrain, the speed limit is much slower than you're used to.
Always wear your seatbelt, grab car seats for little ones, and be mindful of pedestrians, especially on narrow single-lane roads.
Drive on the Left Side!
In St Croix and all of the US Virgin Islands, they drive on the left side of the road! This will take some getting used to but it's not as hard of an adjustment as it sounds!
Do You Need a Special License?
US Citizens can drive in St Croix and the US Virgin Islands for up to 90 days without a USVI License!
What Kind of Cars Do They Drive in St Croix?
Toyotas, Durangos, Nissans, and Jeeps are all popular rental cars in St Croix. Most rental cars will be automatic unless you are specifically searching for a manual.
Many people visiting St Croix opt for a 4-wheel drive vehicle for a few reasons.
Do You Need a 4-Wheel Drive to Get Around St Croix?
This depends on your itinerary, but if you want to do some off-road sightseeing, a 4-wheel drive vehicle will come in handy! There are so many off-the-beaten-path hikes and attractions in St Croix, you'll get your use out of it.
Even if you're not going off-roading, the terrain around the USVI is steep, hilly, and bumpy, and a larger vehicle will make things easier.
With that being said, it's definitely not necessary. If you're looking for the cheapest sedan rental car, you'll get around just fine it, with the exception of a few rough areas.
However, in St Croix, the cost of a small vehicle vs a large vehicle is so small, I would go for the larger choice way either way! Comfort and smooth riding, paired with no road restrictions, will be well worth an extra few dollars each day.
How To Get Around St Croix
There are many options to get around St Croix, from rental cars, taxis, and public transportation, here is everything you need to know before deciding which is best for your stay. Is it worth getting a rental car in St Croix? Yes. But, there are other options if you're opposed!
Rental Cars ✅
Rental cars in St Croix are the best option for getting around. Having freedom over your schedule, the ability to visit all the hidden gems, and stay as long and go as far as you'd like without having to worry about taxi pickups, costs, or public transportation schedules is more than worth it.
Taxis ✅
Taxis are readily available all over St Croix, especially in the main cities - Frederiksted and Christiansted - the airport, and the popular beaches!
If you plan to be in a less populated or touristy area, keep some taxi service numbers on file to schedule a pickup!
Costs of Taxis in St Croix
Taxi rates in St Croix are based per person. It's important to keep this in mind if you're traveling with more than one or two people. Check the cost of your ride with the taxi driver before starting your ride.
If you're in Christiansted, head to King Street for taxi stands. If you're in Frederiksted, you'll find taxis near Ft. Frederik.
Many times, you'll also be in the taxi with other groups besides yourself, especially in larger taxi vans.
| Airport to Frederiksted | $6/person |
| Airport to Christiansted | $9/person |
| Christiansted to Frederiksted | $11/person |
Taxi Services
| St Croix Taxi Association | (340) 778 1088 |
Public Transportation
The VITRAN is the US Virgin Island's public transportation system and runs on St Croix, St Thomas, and St John.
Regular fare is just $1, and free for senior citizens and those with disabilities. Half fare is available during off-hours.
There is a route that goes from Frederiksted to Christiansted, so if you want to explore both cities without having to worry about taxi costs, this is a great option.
However, the buses only run every few hours, so be very careful not to get stuck if you're relying on the bus to get you back home!
Taking a Ferry from St Croix to St Thomas and St John ✅
Ferry Services run frequently throughout the US Virgin Island territories. St Croix to St Thomas is farther, so it's more costly than ferry rides between St Thomas and St John.
A round-trip ride from St Croix to St Thomas will cost $120 for anyone over 13 years old. There are discounts for seniors and children 12 and under!
The ride is 90 minutes long and tickets can be purchased in advance.
St Thomas is filled with even more awesome beaches and attractions, it's worth the ride over for a day or more!
Is there Uber in St Croix?
No, Uber and other ride-sharing services do not currently run in St Croix or the other US Virgin Islands, St Thomas and St John.
You can see that there are plenty of options to choose from to get around St. Croix though.
Where to Stay in St Croix
There are plenty of places to stay in St Croix from Frederiksted to Christiansted, but here are a few favorites!
| Best Budget Stay | Arawak Bay: Inn at Salt River |
| Best Beach Stay | The Buccaneer Hotel |
| Best City Stay | Company House Hotel |
| Most Unique Stay | Hotel on the Cay |
Related reading: Best places to stay in Christiansted
Related reading: Best beach resorts in St Croix
Is It Worth Renting a Car in St Croix in Summary
To sum it up, yes, it is worth renting a car in St Croix! Renting a car will make it so easy to get around, and it's so cost-friendly, there's no reason not to!
Hopefully, I've answered all your questions about getting around the island. To start planning the rest of your trip, check out the best places to stay in St Croix.
Looking to stay on the other islands? Stay up to date with everything you'll need to get around St Thomas as well.
