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

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1: Go local for the best price (no prepayment, no cancellation fees) The best way to find a good deal often is to check with the bigger local booking sites as they pre-negotiate discounts for their customers with all major rental car companies that serve Hawai?i (Budget, Alamo, Enterprise, etc.).

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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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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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Since Waikiki is so small and walkable, you can easily enjoy it without a car. You can hit the beach, go shopping, eat at some delicious restaurants and find so many things to do in Waikiki without a car.

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Tours pick you up from your hotel to bring you around the island. We recommend that you do two or three tours during a week-long stay, but a daily tour will make your vacation prohibitively expensive. A rental car will save you money as you drive yourself to Hawaii's abundantly free attractions.

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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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Low Supply of Vehicles Due to Sell-Off Hawai?i's remote location makes the problem even more challenging here. This sell-off is one reason why rental cars from Hertz, Enterprise, and other big companies are so expensive in Hawai?i and throughout the US right now.

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

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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 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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On average a rental car in Hawaii costs $350 per week ($50 per day).

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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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8 steps to choose a car rental company - comparison process
  1. Step 1 - Get an overview comparison with a car rental platform. ...
  2. Step 2 - Check special conditions. ...
  3. Step 3 - Cost of extras. ...
  4. Step 4 - Make sure there are no hidden fees. ...
  5. Step 5 - Check ratings. ...
  6. Step 6 - Check reviews. ...
  7. Step 7 - Make your choice.


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Food Costs The average cost of food per person per day is about $61, but it can fluctuate depending on where you eat and how many people you go with. Fortunately, there are also some ways to save money on food costs during your vacation.

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