My husband and I are planning to visit St Thomas in February for 5 days. Should we rent a car? We do like to explore. We will spend 1 day at St. John and will probably rent a jeep for the day there. If we do rent a car and/or the jeep, is the driving on the right or left side of the road?

It is on the Left side of the road on St John..and I would definitely rent a car on STJ as it's nice to be able to explore the beautiful beaches.

Oops!The driving is also on the Left side of the road in St Thomas.

I would definitely rent a car on either St. Thomas or St. John. The driving is on the left (European) It's just so much more convenient. I always wonder what the fuss is about? You already spent plenty of money to be on vacation, what's a little more to make the most of it? If you go to St. John for only one day, I would think about whether to just take taxis or one of those island tours. It may work out better if you're only spending one day.

hi karen, i would definetly advise a car. {taxis are pricey however their is a free? open bus shuttle thing}
st. thomas is a good sized island with things spread out. driving is on the left. some people adjust immed {me} some don't {my travel buddy}. just pay attention when you are making a right turn. the locals are fairly tolerant of tourist driving but may honk at you. i often just toot back... not sure this amuses them as much as it does me. try to avoid being in charlotte amalie when the ships are coming in or going out - its kinda nuts and takes forever. there is an alternate rte. inland!
you can take your car from st.t to st.j on the car ferry from red hook, which might be easier for you.
excellent island road map is available everywhere - prob in your accomodation packet on arrival.

Hello karen! I would rent a jeep at the airport if I were you while you are in St Thomas. Here is a quick "to do and see list for you: Mountain Top, The tram, Paradise Point,Peterborg Point,ferry to Water island from Crown Bay marina downtown, the Hull Bay beach bar on Sunday, water Island on Sunday, Magens Beach bar anytime. In St. John rent a jeep and make sure you snorkle at Hawksnest Beach, Cinnamon Bay, trunk bay is a good beach but crowded. I forgot to mention that in St. Thomas Emerald beach is fun and a great walking and swimming beach with a wonderful fun beach bar. Hope this helps!

Thanks so much for your comments, I do think we will rent a jeep at the St Thomas airport.

Caribedon - you mentioned you would rent a jeep at St Thomas and then again rent one for St John. I know I am going to show my ignorance, but why not take the jeep over on the ferry? Or are you not allowed to take a rental off of the island?

Thanks again everyone for your help.

i can see no reason to rent a jeep. the roads are all paved and fine. a car is more comfortable and cheaper. and you definetly can take your rental from st. thomas car on the car ferry to st.john

Thanks again for all of your thoughts. Someone just told me they rented a car when in St. Thomas, but driving on the left side of the road was harder than they thought. They ended up not using the car and paying the hotel shuttle to take them to beaches etc. It still seems to me, that you wouldn't get to explore if you don't have a car. Any thoughts?

Karen,
We rented a car and stayed on St John.Yes the driving is on the Left hand side of the road..but we did not find it to be that difficult to get used to.The roads are very windy and hilly so I do recommend a 4x4 to get to some of the best spots on the island.The speed limit is 25 mph so you should be fine.