Car Rental at Kona International Airport

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Kona International Airport, Kailua-Kona, USA - Hawaii
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Driver's country of residence is United States of America (USA) and age is 30-65
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500+ Trusted Suppliers:

Cheapest Car Rental Rates

Kona International Airport
Standard
Volkswagen Jetta or similar
Volkswagen Jetta
  • 5
  • 2
  • 4
  • A/C
  • Auto.
Dollar
$46.27 / per day
Kona International Airport
Economy
Chevrolet Spark or similar
Chevrolet Spark
  • 4
  • 1
  • 2
  • A/C
  • Auto.
Thrifty
$48.47 / per day
Kona International Airport
Full-size
Chevrolet Malibu or similar
Chevrolet Malibu
  • 5
  • 2
  • 4
  • A/C
  • Auto.
Alamo
$51.13 / per day
Kona International Airport
Intermediate
Toyota Corolla or similar
Toyota Corolla
  • 4
  • 2
  • 4
  • A/C
  • Auto.
Enterprise
$57.46 / per day

Most Popular Car Rental Deals

Kona International Airport
Compact SUV
Nissan Kicks or similar
Nissan Kicks
  • 5
  • 2
  • 5
  • A/C
  • Auto.
National
$63.02 / per day
Kona International Airport
Premium
Volkswagen Passat or similar
Volkswagen Passat
  • 5
  • 2
  • 3
  • A/C
  • Auto.
Budget
$68.26 / per day
Kona International Airport
Mini Van
Chrysler Pacifica or similar
Chrysler Pacifica
  • 7
  • 4
  • 4
  • A/C
  • Auto.
Thrifty
$73.43 / per day
Kona International Airport
Luxury
Chrysler 300 or similar
Chrysler 300
  • 5
  • 2
  • 3
  • A/C
  • Auto.
Thrifty
$94.77 / per day
The above prices are only approximate and were last updated at 20:07 on 2024-03-26. Prices may vary based on the booking dates, length of rental, and car class.

Travel Information

Languages
English, Filipino, Japanese
Currency
USD
Drive on
Right-hand side
Country code
+1
Average car rental price
$63 per day
Average car rental length
6 days
Speed limit within town
40 km/h or 25 mph
Speed limit out of town
72 - 96 km/h or 45 - 60 mph
Acceptable limit of BAC
0.08%
Rating
9.8 / 10
Kona International Airport

Airport Car Rental

Kona International Airport is one of two airports on the island of Hawai’i (the Big Island). Located on the western side of the island, it is much busier than Hilo Airport on the eastern side. The Big Island is a great island to spend some of your vacations on and with connections to both other Hawaiian islands and cities on the mainland of the United States, Kona Airport makes getting to it very easy.   

The largest island of the group is also the most southerly too. Given its size, there is, of course, much to explore. The Kailua-Kona serves as a great base with all of the amenities of a resort destination available. Don't miss spending time under the sun at gorgeous Hapuna Beach. The real adventure, however, lies in the rural parts of the island. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park hosts the island’s most famous landscape with the Crater Rim and Chain of Craters Roads. Visitors shouldn’t miss the Green Sand Beach even though a short hike is required to reach it. The most southerly point of any U.S. state is also nearby the beach and there is a spot where many dive off the cliffs there which is great for watching if you aren’t brave enough to take the risk.

You can find more of what to see and do in this guide to Kona. 

Top international routes

  • Los Angeles
  • Phoenix
  • Seattle
  • Oakland
  • Denver
  • Tokyo

Main airlines

Hawaiian Airlines is the main airline serving Kona with connections to Honolulu, Kahului, and Lihue in Hawaii along with Los Angeles and Tokyo. All major American carriers also fly to and from the airport. This includes Alaska, America, United, and Delta. Southwest Airlines will begin service at the airport in January of 2020 with flights to and from Honolulu along with Oakland, San Jose, Los Agneles, and Las Vegas.

Terminals

The airport is a small island airport but has three terminals. The two main terminals have just five gates. There's also a third commuter terminal.

Location

Kona Airport is located on the northwestern part of the island of Hawai’i (the Big Island). It is a few miles north of the town of Kailua-Kona, but the rest of the island is within easy reach (for example, Hilo is about an hour and a half away).

Most popular types of rental car

  • Convertibles - from $99 per day
  • Large cars - from $46 per day
  • Medium cars - from $49 per day
  • Vans - from $73 per day
  • Premium cars - from $55 per day
  • Small cars - from $48 per day
  • SUVs - from $51 per day

Car rental desks

Unfortunately, none of the rental companies have desks in the terminals. Instead, customers must board a shuttle which can be found in the center median of the road outside the baggage claim areas. Fortunately, the shuttle ride will only take a few minutes as all of the rental companies are located on the grounds of the airport.

Services and facilities

Though the unimaginative pun for it may have long ago lost its humor, the lei greeting is still a popular, culturally relevant tradition in Hawaii. Visitors can organize, or someone can organize for them, a lei greeting service to welcome them to the islands. Alternatively, there are flower shops and lei stands in each terminal where travelers can purchase leis.

Being a smaller airport, there is not as large of a selection of dining and shopping as there would be in larger airports. Each terminal has newsstands and gift shops. A snack shop can be found in the center between the terminals. Terminal 1 has the Laniakea Cafe and Terminal 2 has the Laniakea Restaurant.

There are ATMs but there is no currency exchange available at the airport. Currency can be exchanged if transiting through the Honolulu Airport, but using an ATM or paying with your card most often provide better rates.

Visitor Information desks are located throughout the airport and provide visitors with all of the information they need regarding travel and accommodation.

Nearest gas station

Multiple stations can be found south of the airport. The closest one to the airport is an Ohana Fuels station located at the intersection of Queen Ka’ahumanu Highway and Hulikoa Drive. If you have a Costco membership, then the Costco on Maiau Street is the best station; even though it is farther away, its prices are significantly lower. Note that if traveling to the airport from the northern part of the island, you will have to pass the airport and make a circle as there are no gas stations within 30 miles of the airport to the north.
This information was written, fact-checked, and/or translated by our content creators.

Learn more about our Editorial Policy.
Fact checked by
Next is Hawaii
Next is Hawaii is a Hawaiian islands travel blog that focuses on planning a trip to one of the world's most coveted travel destinations. The team consists of Hawaii enthusiasts that have lived there and traveled there and is keen to deliver all the best travel tips to make your vacation as dreamy as it should be.

Airport info

Rating
6.5
  • Getting to the airport 8.4
  • Check-in and departures 7.1
  • Terminal facilities 6.7
  • Wi-Fi 5.8
  • Restaurants and car rental services 5.4
  • Lounge 5.4

Kona International Airport (KOA)

  • IATA: KOA
  • ICAO: PHKO
  • Name: Kona International Airport (KOA)
  • Distance from city: 6 miles / 9.7 km

Top 7 Locations near Kona International Airport

  1. 104.4 km / 64.9 miles away
  2. 135.1 km / 83.9 miles away
  3. 151.0 km / 93.8 miles away
  4. 191.6 km / 119.1 miles away
  5. 252.6 km / 157.0 miles away
  6. 262.8 km / 163.3 miles away
  7. 423.0 km / 262.8 miles away

Map of Car Rental Locations

When are car rental prices the lowest at Kona International Airport?

The cost of renting a car at Kona International Airport varies by season. This graph compares prices from month to month in order to help you find the best time of year.
Average rental costs per day at Kona International Airport
$48.40
January
$57.80
February
$49.07
March
$83.19
April
$62.49
May
$59.78
June
$63.21
July
$58.39
August
$47.45
September
$52.04
October
$41.70
November
$79.61
December
The cheapest month of the year to rent a car at Kona International Airport is November — when rental costs average $41.70 per day. This is 29% cheaper than the yearly average and 50% cheaper than renting a car in April (when prices average $83.19 per day).

This information can help you identify the low season. But these are only average numbers. How much your car rental will cost will depend on the type of vehicle you rent, how long you’ll rent it for, and how far ahead you book. Simply enter your dates in the form at the top of the page to see the exact prices.

For how long do renters keep their vehicles at Kona International Airport?

How long travelers keep their rental cars varies by the time of year: in January the average rental period is 10 days, while in March, the average rental period is only 6 days.
Average number of rental days at Kona International Airport
10
January
8
February
6
March
8
April
6
May
6
June
7
July
7
August
7
September
7
October
7
November
6
December

What is the most popular time of year to rent a car at Kona International Airport?

Based on how many users search for a car in at Kona International Airport, travelers are most likely to rent a car at Kona International Airport in July, while they are least likely to rent in in March.
Monthly searches at Kona International Airport by pick-up date relative to the average
78%
January
64%
February
48%
March
58%
April
70%
May
124%
June
169%
July
134%
August
103%
September
147%
October
91%
November
114%
December

Car Rental Information

Popular suppliers Dollar, Thrifty, Alamo, Enterprise, Payless
Popular car categories Large cars, SUVs, Medium cars, Small cars
Lowest price $46 per day
Cheapest supplier Dollar

Most Popular Car Models of Rental Suppliers

Rental Supplier Model Doors Luggage Type
Dollar Hyundai Accent 4 2 Medium cars
Dollar Honda Civic 4 2 Large cars
Dollar Volkswagen Jetta 4 2 Large cars
Dollar Jeep Renegade 4 2 SUVs
Dollar Honda CR-V 5 3 SUVs
Dollar Chevrolet Malibu 4 2 Large cars
Dollar Chevrolet Spark 4 2 Small cars
Thrifty Nissan Rogue 5 3 SUVs
Thrifty Mazda 3 5 3 Large cars
Thrifty Ford Focus 3 2 Medium cars

FAQ

How can I get from the island of Hawaii to other islands in the state?
The best way to do this is to fly. There are very few ferries and boats between the islands.
Are there any toll roads on the big island?
No, there are no toll roads anywhere in Hawaii.
Do I need a 4wd vehicle on the big island?
You may think that having a 4wd vehicle would be nice to drive to the summit of Mauna Kea, but keep in mind that rental companies do not allow any of their vehicles to be driven on unpaved roads. So having a 4wd vehicle won't make much of a difference.
Do I need to rent a car even if staying at a hotel in Kona?
Yes, unless you are staying in the very center of the city, you will need a car simply to get to grocery stores or restaurants.

Our Customers' Reviews

Because we want to make sure each review listed here is left by a real customer, we don’t have an option to post a review here. Instead, we ask each and every customer to leave a review after they return their rental car. This way, you know that all reviews are authentic, verified, and trustworthy.

United States of America (USA)
Volkswagen Jetta
February 6, 2024
Star gazing on Mauna Kea and whale watching were epic.
United States of America (USA)
Mazda 3
September 29, 2022
It is Hawaii, so much to do and see.

Car Rental Statistics

Highest rated company
Alamo
8.2 / 10
)
Lowest rated company
Thrifty
7.2 / 10
)
Total number of reviews
4
Total rental companies
10
Average daily price
$62.84
Lowest daily price
$46.27
Total cars available
366

Top 10 Suppliers at Kona International Airport in 2024

Alamo
Very good 8.2 / 8 reviews
+808449141550
73 106 A Ulepe Street, 73-200 Kupipi St
$50 - $227
SIXT
SIXT
Very good 8.1
+18887498227
75-5622 Kaiakoli Street
Working hours
Mon:10:00-18:00
Tue:10:00-18:00
Wed:10:00-18:00
Thu:10:00-18:00
Fri:10:00-18:00
Sat:10:00-18:00
Sun:10:00-18:00
Dollar
Very good 8 / 57 reviews
8664342226
73-200 Kupipi Street
$46 - $153
Working hours
Mon:05:00-22:30
Tue:05:00-22:30
Wed:05:00-22:30
Thu:05:00-22:30
Fri:05:00-22:30
Sat:05:00-22:30
Sun:05:00-22:30
Enterprise
Good 7.9 / 1 review
+18083341810 / +18449141549
73-107 A'Ulepe Street, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
$53 - $234
Budget
Budget
Good 7.8
8083298511
73-361 Kupipi Street
$63 - $155
Working hours
Mon:05:00-23:30
Tue:05:00-23:30
Wed:05:00-23:30
Thu:05:00-23:30
Fri:05:00-23:30
Sat:05:00-23:30
Sun:05:00-23:30
Hertz
Hertz
Good 7.8
8083293566
73-104 Aulepe Street
Working hours
Mon:05:00-22:30
Tue:05:00-22:30
Wed:05:00-22:30
Thu:05:00-22:30
Fri:05:00-22:30
Sat:05:00-22:30
Sun:05:00-22:30
Avis
Avis
Good 7.7 / 4 reviews
+18083273000
73-361 Kupipi Street Suite One
Working hours
Mon:05:00-23:30
Tue:05:00-23:30
Wed:05:00-23:30
Thu:05:00-23:30
Fri:05:00-23:30
Sat:05:00-23:30
Sun:05:00-23:30
National
National
Good 7.7
+18888266890
73-109 A'Ulepe Street, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
$55 - $236
Payless
Payless
Good 7.6 / 1 review
8083269805
73-361 Kupipi Street
Working hours
Mon:05:00-23:00
Tue:05:00-23:00
Wed:05:00-23:00
Thu:05:00-23:00
Fri:05:00-23:00
Sat:05:00-23:00
Sun:05:00-23:00
Thrifty
Good 7.2 / 21 reviews
+18772830898
Kona International Airport, 73-200 Kupipi St, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740, United States
$47 - $154
Working hours
Mon:05:00-22:30
Tue:05:00-22:30
Wed:05:00-22:30
Thu:05:00-22:30
Fri:05:00-22:30
Sat:05:00-22:30
Sun:05:00-22:30
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