Renting a car in St. John's Newfoundland?

[RedSox68]

Has anyone done it on past cruises? Since we are arriving on a Sunday, options seem to be limited.

 

[GoofyNewfie]

You're on the SEP 2017 WBTA I guess? I'm surprised to hear that it's coming here. I guess my Disney news following abilities have been fading.

Certainly the airport would be an option to rent a car. It would be open. It's a fairly short cab ride away. 10-15 minutes. But moderately expensive - $30-40 CAD probably. I cannot recall any rental places in the downtown where the port is.

 

[nhgirl]

Avis Rental Cars- 4 Water Street, St. John NB Phone 506-634-7750

 

[FigmentSpark]

Avis Rental Cars- 4 Water Street, St. John NB Phone 506-634-7750

Wrong province. OP was asking about St. John's, NL (Newfoundland). I know. We had trouble learning the difference in school, too. Both are capitals of their respective provinces.

 

[Conorama]

I lived in St. John's for 4 years, and go back yearly still- it's amazing. (I married a Newfoundlander too.)

Some of the friendliest people on the planet live there- so if you can phone an actual place, and get a human, they will be very helpful. (If you call a central number, you'll likely get someone who has no idea about St. John's- my mom tried that once and got someone from Texas who was very nice but didn't have a clue about St. John's.) So- might be worth the long-distance fees you might get.

My husband (the Newfoundlander) says there are a lot of places out on Kenmount road, which is much closer to downtown than the airport. You could take a taxi, but it might be worth asking if they have some arrangement on the days they get a ship in port to meet people with the car.

 

[RedSox68]

You're on the SEP 2017 WBTA I guess? I'm surprised to hear that it's coming here. I guess my Disney news following abilities have been fading.

Certainly the airport would be an option to rent a car. It would be open. It's a fairly short cab ride away. 10-15 minutes. But moderately expensive - $30-40 CAD probably. I cannot recall any rental places in the downtown where the port is.

Thanks all. Yes, we are arriving Sunday, 9/24. And being a Sunday has caused major problems. Most of the car rental places I have checked so far are only open 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Totally defeats the purpose of getting a full day. I'm trying to find out if they have special hours when a ship is in port. So far Enterprise seems to be the only one with pick-up service -- but their hours are the same as I noted, so pointless. I will keep checking for maybe local places with more options or even within walking distance.

 

[SirDuff]

Wrong province. OP was asking about St. John's, NL (Newfoundland). I know. We had trouble learning the difference in school, too. Both are capitals of their respective provinces.

I still have to remember that there is always one "S" - either in the city "St. John's" OR in the province (New Brunswick), but never an "S" in both city and province.

 

[RedSox68]

I still have to remember that there is always one "S" - either in the city "St. John's" OR in the province (New Brunswick), but never an "S" in both city and province.

Yes, I had quite the shock after booking when suddenly my reservation showed St. John, and I knew that was NB because there was no S. After contacting Disney it turns out there was an error and we were still going to St. John's, Newfoundland. Had already been to NB and was really looking forward to a new port.

 

[GoofyNewfie]

St. John's is a pretty sleepy place on a Sunday morning. That's why I suggested the airport. We don't get very many cruise ships so I'd be surprised if there's special hours for when they arrive. I know someone that works at one of the airport car rental desks. I'll see if she knows any better options.

Do you know what locations you're interested in that you'd need a car for? St. John's is a pretty scenic place for driving around but many of the tourist-y things are already in the downtown (ie. walkable).

 

[RedSox68]

St. John's is a pretty sleepy place on a Sunday morning. That's why I suggested the airport. We don't get very many cruise ships so I'd be surprised if there's special hours for when they arrive. I know someone that works at one of the airport car rental desks. I'll see if she knows any better options.

Do you know what locations you're interested in that you'd need a car for? St. John's is a pretty scenic place for driving around but many of the tourist-y things are already in the downtown (ie. walkable).

Thanks! I know my husband is adamant about seeing Signal Hill, and anything with any historical significance. We also wanted to drive out along the coast. Other than that, I'm not sure yet what else there is to see as I haven't gone over all the options. Anything you suggest is most helpful and appreciated. Is it worth going to the Colony?

 

[GoofyNewfie]

Thanks! I know my husband is adamant about seeing Signal Hill, and anything with any historical significance. We also wanted to drive out along the coast. Other than that, I'm not sure yet what else there is to see as I haven't gone over all the options. Anything you suggest is most helpful and appreciated. Is it worth going to the Colony?

If you're interested in history, then you could fill your day without necessarily needing a car. If you don't mind hilly walks. Although I've never done it, Signal Hill would likely be a 15-20 minute walk (significantly uphill) from where the ship will dock downtown. On the way to Signal Hill is the Geocentre. An interesting place. I'd also recommend "The Rooms" which might be slightly less of a walk. For the Rooms, you'd want to see what they're doing special when you get closer to the date.

By the Colony, do you mean the Colony of Avalon in Ferryland? It's probably one the better drives you'd have time to do. The lighthouse picnic there is quite nice.

 

[RedSox68]

If you're interested in history, then you could fill your day without necessarily needing a car. If you don't mind hilly walks. Although I've never done it, Signal Hill would likely be a 15-20 minute walk (significantly uphill) from where the ship will dock downtown. On the way to Signal Hill is the Geocentre. An interesting place. I'd also recommend "The Rooms" which might be slightly less of a walk. For the Rooms, you'd want to see what they're doing special when you get closer to the date.

By the Colony, do you mean the Colony of Avalon in Ferryland? It's probably one the better drives you'd have time to do. The lighthouse picnic there is quite nice.

Thanks so much! Would we be able to fit the Colony of Avalon and Signal Hill and the Rooms in one day?

 

[NancyIL]

I still have to remember that there is always one "S" - either in the city "St. John's" OR in the province (New Brunswick), but never an "S" in both city and province.

It's also easier to distinguish between the two when you spell out "saint" instead of abbreviating it: Saint John, New Brunswick vs. St. John's, Newfoundland.

 

[GoofyNewfie]

Thanks so much! Would we be able to fit the Colony of Avalon and Signal Hill and the Rooms in one day?

I don't see why not. You've got 930-6pm. The colony of Avalon in Ferryland is about an hour drive.

 

[RedSox68]

I don't see why not. You've got 930-6pm. The colony of Avalon in Ferryland is about an hour drive.

Thanks again!