Do you need to rent a car to get around 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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Three other Hawaiian islands have public bus systems that make it possible to visit without needing to rent a car: Maui, Kauai, and the island of Hawaii. However, in these islands, the bus systems are primarily designed for local residents to commute to and from work, and sometimes use for recreation.

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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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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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Hawaii is a beautiful state with six main islands to explore. Each island has beautiful beaches and natural beauty, but if you're a first-time visitor, O?ahu is the best island to visit. The Hawaiian island that is home to the state capital (Honolulu) has something for everyone.

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

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While not the most pedestrian-friendly American city, Honolulu does have some moderately walkable neighborhoods and commercial districts near its urban core. Staying in areas like Waikiki or Downtown can allow visitors to explore parts of Oahu's capital on foot.

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A 3-day itinerary for Oahu is the minimum time I would recommend unless you are just transiting through here on your way to another island. You could just as easily fill a whole week on Oahu if you're interested in doing more hikes, beach days or spending extended time at cultural sites and museums.

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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 best way to experience Hawaii is to devote at least five days to each island. If you want to tack on a quick trip to another island in a short amount of time, Oahu is your best bet, as it's the main hub for the islands.

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An Introduction To Inter-Island Day Trips Exploring more islands in the great state of Hawaii means you will need to fly to each of the other islands. Taking day trips is a great way to see the unique features on each island. An active volcano, incredible rainforests, huge canyons and so much more to see.

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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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If you want to go to Hawaii … It can be very expensive. Hidden costs like resort fees and exorbitant parking prices can easily break the budget. But there are ways to save on the cost of a vacation to Hawaii. Traveling before or after the peak summer season can save considerably.

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Generally, the best time to visit Hawaii for the most ideal overall weather, lowest statewide rates, and the fewest visitors on-island is April and May during the spring and September and October during the fall. Some refer to these times as Hawaii's 'off-season period' or 'shoulder months.

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The Kona side is the best area to stay on Big Island as it will have the driest, sunniest weather and by far the best beaches. In fact, nearly the entire eastern coastline has no sandy beaches at all! Rather than sand, you will find only an extended lava rock shelf that drops right into the ocean.

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But, there are important differences between Maui and Oahu vacations. If you're looking for a typical Hawaiian tourist vacation, Oahu offers Waikiki Beach, historical memorials and modern culture. Meanwhile, travelers should head to Maui to enjoy outdoorsy adventures, from snorkeling to hiking volcanic peaks.

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