Should you rent a car or take tours in Hawaii?

Should you rent a car or take tours in Hawaii? 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.

How far in advance should I book a rental car Hawaii?

I have found Discover Cars has the cheapest Hawaii Car rentals, as well as the cheapest Hawaii driving insurance at less than $11 per day. The key is to book at least 2-3 weeks in advance for their super low rates. If you book the day before it will be much more expensive.

How do tourists get around Honolulu?

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.

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.

Why is car rental in Maui so expensive?

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.

How many days in Big Island is enough?

To discover Big Island as a whole, we recommend staying ideally 8 to 10 days so that you have time to explore it at your own pace, as the island is quite large.

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.

Is it expensive to rent a car in Hawaii?

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

Is Uber expensive in Honolulu?

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.

How do tourists get around Hawaii?

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. Click here for transportation options.

How much does food cost in Hawaii?

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.

Is driving in Big Island difficult?

However, driving in Hawaii does come with its own set of challenges that you should be prepared for, including poor road conditions. While the more populated islands like O'ahu or the Big Island have decent roads, the more rural isles like Kaua'i have roads that are often unpaved and difficult to drive on.

Can I explore Big Island without a car?

The public (Hele-on) bus service is an alternative if you have plenty of time and want to avoid renting a car. The cheapest way to get around the Big Island after walking yourself is the public bus (Hele-on-Bus). This bus will get you to most places on the island, but transit times are long and connections infrequent.