Why is car hire so expensive in Hawaii?


Why is car hire so expensive in Hawaii? The coronavirus pandemic halted tourism in the islands in 2020, and that hit the rental car industry. Once tourism reopened, the demand for rental cars skyrocketed – and so did the cost. People wanting to rent a car in Hawaii saw prices go from about $30 a day to more than $700 in some cases.


How much does a rental car cost in Hawaii for a week?

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


What is the average price to rent a car in Hawaii?

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


Is taxi cheaper than Uber in Honolulu?

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.


Is driving in Hawaii difficult?

Even the paved roads aren't in the best condition, so be prepared for some rough driving. The traffic in Hawaii can also be surprisingly heavy, especially on O'ahu. In fact, the traffic conditions in Honolulu rank among the worst in the nation, competing with famously gridlocked cities like Los Angeles and New York.


Is Uber available in Hawaii?

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


How to get the best rental car rates in Hawaii?

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.).


Is it worth hiring a car in Honolulu?

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.


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.


Is it worth it to have a car in Hawaii?

If you do want to sightsee, it will be much easier with a car. One major benefit is you'll be able to do things at your own pace. Oahu isn't big; without stops, you can drive around the island in about two hours. That said, there are things you might want to see and do that aren't accessible by public transportation.


Will Hawaii car rental prices go down?

Renting a car is an important part of the budget for a trip to Hawaii. The Covid-19 crisis has caused prices to rise dramatically in 2021 and 2022, although there has been a significant drop in prices since the summer of 2022, which is expected to continue in 2023 to reach pre-Covid prices again.


Why is it so expensive to rent in Hawaii?

But the main point is that Hawaii has more housing regulation than any other state in the nation, and that's limited the supply of housing, which is why we have the highest median home prices in the nation. And until people decide to rise up and change that, housing in Hawaii will probably remain very expensive.


What is best day of week to book rental car?

Most car rental agencies vary their prices and rates during the week are usually higher. Book during the weekend if you want a cheaper car rental rate.


Why are there no rental cars in Hawaii right now?

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.


Is it hard to get around Hawaii without a car?

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.


Are rental cars hard to get in Hawaii?

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.


Is it worth it to rent a car on Oahu?

I would highly recommend you getting a rental car for at least two days. We just got back from vacationing in Oahu and loved the time we had with the car. As you probably already know, there are a lot of shuttles and buses that go pretty much anywhere in the island.


How do you avoid expensive car rentals?

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.