Is car rental necessary 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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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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Your vacation to Maui may not require a rental car. If you are planning on relaxing at your resort or condo, then a rental car may be overkill. Many condos in Kihei are within walking distance of the Kihei shopping centers with the beach outside your condo.

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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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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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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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It's easy to get around on foot in towns and resorts In most coastal towns and resort areas, it is easy to get around by foot. Sidewalks navigate the historic core of Lahaina, while paved coastal trails link resorts and condo communities in Ka'anapali, Kapalua and Wailea.

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There is a lot to do and see on Maui and without a car, you might feel like you're missing out. No Road to Hana, no hiking, no Haleakala sunrise. Only, without a car, you're now opening yourself up to some pretty amazing tour options. You can take a helicopter ride to Hana and a shuttle home.

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If you want the TLDR—for most travelers, renting a car in Maui is going to be 100% worth it, given that Maui is HUGE, its attractions are quite spread out, and you probably didn't fly all the way here to not explore this incredible island.

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Options to Travel Around Maui Without a Rental Car. Maui towns do not score well on walking. Only a few towns like Lahaina, Kihei, and Pa'ia are easily walkable. Even if you are staying in these towns, you will want to venture out to see other beaches, restaurants, and sites.

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The average visitor to Maui spends 8.1 days on the island. How long you should stay depends on what you want to do, but you should plan to spend a minimum of five days on Maui.

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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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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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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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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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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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Featured Walkable Areas of Maui As an added bonus, the North Shore bike path runs to the West of town, through Spreckelsville and into Kahului. Paia is the one area of the island where you really could go for longer stretches without driving. Walkable Wailuku : Downtown Wailuku is the seat of Maui County Government.

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Road conditions on Maui The roads are generally in good condition, but there are some areas that can be a bit challenging to navigate. Make sure to take extra caution when driving around the Hana Highway and on the Road to Hana. These areas are known for their winding roads and narrow shoulders.

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