Do you need a car to travel in Big Island of Hawaii?

Regardless, it is still almost twice as big as all other Hawaiian Islands combined. If you want to be in control of your own transport there is only one viable option to navigate around the Big Island: renting a car. Getting around without a rental car: With public transport (the bus)



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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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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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The cheapest way to travel between Hawaiian islands is to fly. You can find inter-island flights for as little as $39 each way, depending on when you want to travel and how far in advance you book.

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While you can get a taste of the Big Island in 3 days, spending at least 5-7 days, and ideally more, exploring its diverse attractions is recommended. This allows time for visiting popular sites like Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, Mauna Kea Summit, and the beautiful beaches.

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However, driving in Hawaii does come with its own set of challenges that you should be prepared for, including poor road conditions. While the more populated islands like O'ahu or the Big Island have decent roads, the more rural isles like Kaua'i have roads that are often unpaved and difficult to drive on.

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Necker Island, Richard Branson's private island resort in the British Virgin Islands, will set you back $77,500 a night. But Banwa Private Island, a new resort in the Philippines, costs $100,000 a night — the most expensive island resort in the world.

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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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Driving around the island takes about six hours – and that's without stopping or running into any traffic. If you're looking to break up your trip a bit, try taking a self-guided tour like the one Action Tour Guide offers. Action Tour Guide's self-guided tour allows you to drive through the Big Island at your own pace.

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If you do decide to rent a car, Shaka Guide's driving tours will make sure you don't miss any of the important attractions. Oahu is the easiest island to get around. There are several car rental companies at the Honolulu Airport if you'd like to drive the island.

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Public buses run on Hawaii's larger islands, but it's time-consuming and challenging to get around by bus, except on O?ahu. The state's most populous island is the easiest to travel on thanks to TheBus, the public transit service.

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