Do I need a rental car in Hawaii?

Unless you want to just relax at your hotel, the answer is yes. Driving is the best way to get around and will provide you with the most flexibility. Hawaii Island is known as “The Big Island” for good reason — spanning 10,931 square miles, it has a lot of ground to cover.



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Transportation options vary from island to island. Many visitors enjoy taking bus tours to conveniently explore the Islands. For most islands you can also get around by shuttle, taxi, ride-sharing app such as Uber or Lyft, or public transportation.

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While other islands, like Kauai, would be almost impossible to navigate without a car, Oahu is well connected by public transportation and ride share. Plus, most of Honolulu's main sites are close together. There are lots of alternatives to renting a car in Oahu in order to see and do a lot on the island.

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Do I need a car to get around on Maui? You can get around Maui by shuttle, tour bus, taxi or public transportation.

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It's actually quite easy to drive in Hawaii. There are no big, ten-lane highways on the Islands. The highways are more like two lane country roads, like the Pacific Coast Highway north of Ventura. So if you're from Los Angeles, it might feel like you're driving around in the country, or the mountains.

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What is the requirement to drive in Hawaii using my valid foreign license? Countries that ratified the Geneva Convention on Road Traffic (1949), may use their foreign national driver's license along with their valid passport to legally drive in Hawaii.

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The average cost to rent a car in Hawaii is $157 per day.

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Oahu is the only island with a comprehensive bus system, simply known as TheBusOpens external link to page that may not meet accessibility guidelines.

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You need to rent a car in Maui to save money and time. A rental car will pay for itself compared to taking Uber or taxis if you visit attractions like Haleakala National Park, snorkeling, or dinner in Lahaina. Maui Bus offers an economical way to get around with $2 fares but buses leave every hour.

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From historic surf towns and colorful art districts to former plantation neighborhoods, Hawai?i is home to many great walkable regions. And you'll quickly notice an afternoon can easily slip away when exploring them.

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You can request a ride on any day and at any time with Uber in Honolulu.

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You can also take the public bus system or the Waikiki Trolley to get to and from many parts of the island, but these options are slower and may not service some areas. Taxis and ride-hailing services like Uber and Lyft are available as well, but fares can quickly add up.

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Are Taxis Cheaper Than Uber in Honolulu? Generally, taxis can be more expensive than Uber, since a Uber ride costs around $25 while taxis charge $40 to $45. Of course, prices may vary based on demand and time of day.

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You won't find many ferries braving the choppy seas between the major islands in Hawaii, so flying is the best way to travel between Hawaiian islands. Only three airlines operate scheduled flights between them: Hawaiian Airlines, Southwest Airlines and Mokulele Airlines.

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Taxi is very expensive, as is uber, but I ran into the issue that a Uber wasn't even available nor a lyft. So please take care of everything upfront, it'll save you time and money! the airport is on one side and everything else is on the other lol so theres no easy way.

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The best times to visit Maui are April through May and September through November. The spring and fall shoulder seasons provide the pleasant weather Hawaii vacationers seek without the high rates and heavy crowds that accompany the summer and winter.

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We ran some cities through Uber's online fare calculator and found these estimated one-way rates, which are subject to change: Kahului to Lahaina: $30 to $40 uberx; $109 to $144 uberSELECT. Paia to Hana: $59 to $79 uberx; $214 to $283 uberSELECT.

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Restaurants, shops, beaches, activities and several major attractions (including the Honolulu Zoo, Waikiki Aquarium, Kapiolani Park and the U.S. Army Museum) are within walking distance of most hotels in Waikiki, so if you're not going anywhere else, you won't need a car.

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About eighteen miles southwest of the Garden Island (Kauai), sits Hawaii's “Forbidden Island”, also known as Niihau.

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Unless you want to just relax at your hotel, the answer is yes. Driving is the best way to get around and will provide you with the most flexibility. Hawaii Island is known as “The Big Island” for good reason — spanning 10,931 square miles, it has a lot of ground to cover.

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Tourism officials have said Hawaii's shortage is worst on Maui. Recently on Maui, the lowest-priced cars at the airport from major rental firms were higher than they've ever been. The supply has improved slightly for 2023. We have been fortunate to have an ample supply for most travel dates.

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