What is the alternative to renting a car in Hawaii?

Public transit, bike shares and your own two feet offer cheaper alternatives to renting a car in Oahu. Sally French is a travel rewards expert who joined NerdWallet in 2020. She previously wrote about travel and credit cards for The New York Times and its sibling site, Wirecutter.



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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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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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The nation's largest car rental corporations sold too many cars in 2020 to cushion the financial blows amid widespread COVID-19 travel restrictions. Now they can't buy enough replacements principally due to car production delays.

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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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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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Oahu is the best Hawaiian Island to visit without a rental car. Traveling around the island is cost-effective with a mix of Ubers or taxis, guided tours, and staying in Waikiki.

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Renting a car can be expensive, but there are various ways to save money on your next rental. You can significantly reduce your expenses by using corporate, AAA, or university codes, renting during off-peak times and avoiding additional fees for gas and tolls.

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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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On average a rental car in Hawaii costs $59 per day.

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

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Uber, Lyft and Holoholo are ride-sharing apps that enable you to hail on-demand private drivers. They're used prolifically in Hawai?i's major towns, they tend to be cheaper than Taxis/Cabs and more convenient.

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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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Should I rent a car on Oahu? 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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Oahu's public bus system – TheBus – is easy to use and covers most of the island thanks to its extensive routes. Hours vary by line, but buses generally run every 15 or 30 minutes. Exact route hours are available on the Routes & Timetables page of TheBus website.

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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 can ride Hawaii's Waikiki Trolley Pink Line for free by simply showing your JCB card! Just present your JCB card when you board the trolley. See Waikiki Trolley Information above for trolley schedules and more information.

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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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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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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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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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