Car Rental at Lihue Airport
✓ No Hidden Costs ✓ 24/7 Support ✓ Free Cancellation
500+ Trusted Suppliers:
Cheapest Car Rental Rates
Compact
Ford Focus
or similar
$67.57
per day
Intermediate
Mazda 3
or similar
$74.97
per day
Economy
Mitsubishi Mirage
or similar
$95.00
per day
Premium
Volkswagen Passat
or similar
$96.82
per day
Most Popular Car Rental Deals
Full-size
Chevrolet Malibu
or similar
$99.10
/ per day
Luxury
Chrysler 300
or similar
$103.73
/ per day
Standard
Volkswagen Jetta
or similar
$105.93
/ per day
Standard Elite
Chevrolet Traverse
or similar
$143.28
/ per day
The above prices are only approximate and were last updated at 02:01 on 2023-03-20. Prices may vary based on the booking dates, length of rental, and car class.
Why book with us?
Special offers
As a market leader (see SimilarWeb), we get special offers like contactless pick-ups, great prices, and free upgrades.
Award-winning
World's Leading Car Rental Booking Website in the World Travel Tech Awards (3 years in a row).
Highly-rated
A combined rating of 4.5 with 90k total reviews on platforms like Trustpilot, Google, and Review Center.
4M users
Have already booked on one of the fastest-growing car rental booking websites.
Awards
World Travel Tech Awards - World's Best Car Rental Booking Website 2022
World Travel Tech Awards - World's Best Car Rental Booking App 2022
Magellan Awards Gold Winner 2022
Travel & Hospitality Awards 2021
FT 1000: Europes Fastest Growing Companies - Top 100 Companies 2021
FT 1000: Europe's Fastest Growing Companies - Top 100 Companies 2020
Uzakrota Travel Awards - World’s Leading Car Rental Website 2022
Inc. 5000 Europe - Top 500 Companies 2019
Travel Information
Language
English
Currency
USD
Drive on
Right-hand side
Country code
1
Average car rental price
$98.30 / per day
Average car rental length
6 days
Speed limit within town
40 - 120 km/h
25 - 75 mph
Speed limit out of town
72 - 120 km/h
45 - 75 mph
Acceptable limit of BAC
0.05%
Airport Car Rental
Lihue Airport is the main airport for the island of Kauai, which is the northernmost island of the state of Hawaii. The majority of its flights are to and from Honolulu, the capital of the state where most from the mainland and abroad arrive in the state.
The island of Kauai is the fourth-most visited island of Hawaii. It is known as the “Garden Island” as it is full of lush vegetation and tropical plants due to the large amount of rainfall the island receives. The island also has the longest sandy coastline of the islands. Much less crowded than some of the other islands, Kauai is certainly worth exploring and a with a rental car is by far the best way to do so.
Most travelers will transit through Honolulu to reach Kauai. Since there are no ferries from the island of Oahu, travelers must arrive by air and Lihue airport is where they are most likely to land. Rental cars are available at the airport and are all but completely necessary for travelers.
Though Hawaii’s main gateway from the mainland U.S. is Honolulu International, there are a number of direct flights from the mainland to Kauai’s Lihue Airport.
Top international routes
- Vancouver (seasonal)
Main airlines
The largest airline by number of passengers is Hawwian Airlines which serves routes between Lihue and Honolulu, Kahului, Kona, Oakland, and Los Angeles. American, Delta, Alaska, and United are the other major airlines located at the airport together serving mainland destinations including Los Angeles, Seattle, San Francisco, Phoenix, Denver, and San Jose. Westjet also has a seasonal route (November through April) from Vancouver.
Air Canada also served the route to and from Vancouver but has suspended it due to the grounding of the Boeing 737 Max. Service on the route is likely to be resumed in the future.
Terminals
There is only one terminal in Lihue Airport which is called the Kawakami Terminal. It has eight gates, each of which is usually, but not always, dedicated to certain airlines. Arrivals and departures both take place on the ground level of the terminal. The only security checkpoint is right in the center of the check-in desks.
Location
Lihue Airport is located directly on the coast about two miles east of the downtown area, if you can call it that, of Lihue, which is itself located on the southeastern coast of the island of Kauai. From Lihue, the main roads of the island run to the south and west side as well as the east and north side. A loop around the island is unfortunately not possible due to the late of roads at Na Pali.
Most popular types of rental car
- Convertibles - from $111 per day
- Large cars - from $108 per day
- Medium cars - from $85 per day
- Vans - from $172 per day
- Premium cars - from $105 per day
- Small cars - from $102 per day
- SUVs - from $115 per day
Car rental desks
All car rental companies serving Lihue Airport have desks located at the airport. These desks can be found across the street from the center of the terminal.
Europcar partners with Advantage to serve all of its U.S. rentals. Therefore, if renting a car with Europcar, you should proceed to the Advantage desk.
Services and facilities
Note that passengers are not allowed to take any fruits (as well as plants, snails, and other agricultural items) from the islands back to the mainland. All baggage, both checked and carry-on are inspected prior to departure. The inspection stations are located at the check-in counters and the security checkpoints. Unfortunately, it won’t be possible to savor your last island fruit while waiting for your flight.
Though the unimaginative pun for it may have long ago lost its humor, 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 is one flower shop in the airport building where travelers can purchase leis but it is located past security. Sometimes a cart sells them in the baggage claim area.
There is only one lounge in the airport. It is a Hawaiian Airlines Premier Club and is located across from Gate 5.
The closest hotels to the airport are Motel Lani and Kauai Palms Hotel, both located about a mile south of it near Rice Stree. No shuttle is offered, though. More hotels are located south near the beach of Kalapaki.
As the airport is quite small, there is not an overly large selection when it comes to dining and shopping. In the area of the gates, there is only one food kiosk and no shops. In the area near the check-in desk (but past the security checkpoints) there are two bars serving food, a cafe, and a Starbucks.
Victor Information centers are located in both baggage claim areas. Both provide information about the airport and the island and can assist you with any questions you may have.
Nearest gas station
A cluster of stations south of the intersection of Ahukini Road and Kuhio Highway are the closest stations to the airport. They are 76, Shell, and Texaco stations. The prices of gas at all three are competitive and similar to that which you will find on the rest of the island (though, it should be noted that the average price on all Hawaiian islands is higher than on the mainland).
Airport info
Lihue Airport (LIH)
- IATA: LIH
- ICAO: PHLI
- Name: Lihue Airport (LIH)
- Size: Medium Airport
- Passengers (per year): 2,680,028
- Distance from city: 2 miles / 3.2 km E of town
- Working hours:
Top 7 Locations near Lihue Airport
-
Car Rental at Honolulu Airport from $52.35 per day163.6 km / 101.7 miles away
-
Car Rental at Honolulu Waikiki Beach Resort from $59.29 per day174.3 km / 108.3 miles away
-
Car Rental at Molokai Airport from $95.00 per day249.3 km / 154.9 miles away
-
Car Rental at Kapalua Airport from $71.76 per day298.0 km / 185.2 miles away
-
Car Rental at Kahului Airport from $54.41 per day324.0 km / 201.3 miles away
-
Car Rental at Kona International Airport from $68.81 per day423.0 km / 262.9 miles away
-
Car Rental at Hilo Airport from $68.38 per day511.5 km / 317.8 miles away
Map of Car Rental Locations
When are car rental prices cheapest at Lihue Airport?
The cost of renting a car at Lihue Airport depends on the time of year. This graph compares month-to-month price changes to help you find the best deal.
Average Rental Price at Lihue Airport
The cheapest time of the year to rent a vehicle at Lihue Airport is January when prices for an Economy class start from $72.34. You can see that this is 34% cheaper than the yearly average and 54% cheaper than renting a car in June (when rental prices start at $157.35 for a Compact class). Knowing this can help you find the best price. But remember that these are just average numbers. The exact cost of your rental will depend on your rental length and on how far in advance you book the car. Enter your travel dates at the top of the page to see exact prices and offers!
What’s the most frequent rental length at Lihue Airport?
Travel length differs from one month to another: in May the average rental period is 15 days, while in July, the average rental period is only 5 days.
Average Rental Length
Which is the busiest month for car rental at Lihue Airport?
Travelers are most likely to rent a car at Lihue Airport in August, while they are least likely to to rent in in May.
Popularity by Monthly Searches
Car Rental Information
| Popular suppliers | Thrifty, Dollar, Payless, Economy rent a car, Hertz |
| Popular car categories | Medium cars, Large cars, Small cars, SUVs |
| Lowest price | $68 per day |
| Cheapest supplier | Dollar |
Most Popular Car Models of Rental Suppliers
| Rental Supplier | Model | Doors | Luggage | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thrifty | Ford Focus | 3 | 2 | Medium cars |
| Thrifty | Chevrolet Spark | 2 | 1 | Small cars |
| Dollar | Ford Focus | 4 | 2 | Medium cars |
| Dollar | Chevrolet Spark | 4 | 2 | Small cars |
| Thrifty | Mazda 3 | 5 | 3 | Large cars |
| Thrifty | Nissan Rogue | 5 | 3 | SUVs |
| Dollar | Mazda 3 | 5 | 3 | Large cars |
| Dollar | Ford Focus | 3 | 2 | Medium cars |
| Thrifty | Chevrolet Equinox | 4 | 3 | SUVs |
| Thrifty | Nissan Pathfinder | 4 | 2 | Large cars |
Car Rental Statistics
Highest rated company
SIXT
8.67 / 10
Lowest rated company
Economy rent a car
7.69 / 10
Total rental companies
12
Average daily price
$98.30
Lowest daily price
$67.57
Total cars available
93
Top 12 Suppliers at Lihue Airport in 2023
SIXT
+18887498827
3156 Oihana Street
Working hours
Mon:06:00-22:30
Tue:06:00-22:30
Wed:06:00-22:30
Thu:06:00-22:30
Fri:06:00-22:30
Sat:06:00-22:30
Sun:06:00-22:30
+18082460204 / +18449141553
3073 Aukele St, Lihue, HI 96766
$97 - $163
Hertz
8082453356
3250 Hoolimalima Pl
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
8449141551
3276 HOOLIMALIMA PL,
$95 - $161
Budget
+18082459031
3285 Hoolimalima Place
$90 - $190
Working hours
Mon:06:00-23:00
Tue:06:00-23:00
Wed:06:00-23:00
Thu:06:00-23:00
Fri:06:00-23:00
Sat:06:00-23:00
Sun:06:00-23:00
+18082455638 / +18449141552
3276 HOOLIMALIMA PL, Lihue
$99 - $165
Payless
8082459395
3285 Hoolimalima Place
Working hours
Mon:06:00-23:00
Tue:06:00-23:00
Wed:06:00-23:00
Thu:06:00-23:00
Fri:06:00-23:00
Sat:06:00-23:00
Sun:06:00-23:00
Avis
+18082457995
3259 Hoolimalima Place
Working hours
Mon:06:00-23:00
Tue:06:00-23:00
Wed:06:00-23:00
Thu:06:00-23:00
Fri:06:00-23:00
Sat:06:00-23:00
Sun:06:00-23:00
Advantage
8007775500
3273 Hoolimalima Place
Working hours
Mon:06:00-22:00
Tue:06:00-22:00
Wed:06:00-22:00
Thu:06:00-22:00
Fri:06:00-22:00
Sat:06:00-22:00
Sun:06:00-22:00
8082453652
3250 Hoolimalima Place
$68 - $94
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
+18772830898
3273 Hoolimalima Place
$71 - $133
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
Economy rent a car
+18086521985 / +18773267368
3501 Rice St #1009, Lihue, HI 96766
$213 - $213
Working hours
Mon:09:00-21:00
Tue:09:00-21:00
Wed:09:00-21:00
Thu:09:00-21:00
Fri:09:00-21:00
Sat:09:00-21:00
Sun:09:00-21:00
Highly recommended by our customers
Download App
Book and manage your booking on the go