Car Rental in 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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700+ Trusted Suppliers:

Cheapest Car Rental Rates

Lihue Airport
Standard
Volkswagen Jetta or similar
Volkswagen Jetta
  • 5
  • 2
  • 4
  • A/C
  • Auto.
Thrifty
$43.37 per day
Honolulu Airport
Compact
Hyundai Accent or similar
Hyundai Accent
  • 5
  • 2
  • 4
  • A/C
  • Auto.
Dollar
$44.25 per day
Honolulu Airport
Intermediate
Toyota Corolla or similar
Toyota Corolla
  • 5
  • 2
  • 2
  • A/C
  • Auto.
Alamo
$48.25 per day
Kahului Airport OGG
Full-size
Chevrolet Malibu or similar
Chevrolet Malibu
  • 5
  • 2
  • 4
  • A/C
  • Auto.
Enterprise
$52.15 per day

Most Popular Car Rental Deals

Kahului Airport OGG
Premium
Nissan Maxima or similar
Nissan Maxima
  • 5
  • 2
  • 4
  • A/C
  • Auto.
National
$54.58 per day
Kahului Airport OGG
Luxury
Luxury (BMW 3 Series) or similar
Luxury (BMW 3 Series)
  • 5
  • 2
  • 4
  • A/C
  • Auto.
SIXT
$61.33 per day
Hilo Airport
Economy
Kia Rio or similar
Kia Rio
  • 4
  • 2
  • 4
  • A/C
  • Auto.
Budget
$62.62 per day
Lihue Airport
Mini Van
Chrysler Voyager or similar
Chrysler Voyager
  • 7
  • 3
  • 5
  • A/C
  • Auto.
NUCarrentals
$87.70 per day
The above prices are only approximate and were last updated at 11:13 PM on 10/3/24. 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
$57 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
9.5 / 10
Average gas price
$0.96 per liter or $3.63 per gallon
Lowest gas price
$0.76 per liter or $2.88 per gallon
Highest gas price
$1.38 per liter or $5.22 per gallon

Why rent a car in Hawaii?

Hawaii is a major resort destination for American travelers and in recent years has become more and more popular amongst international tourists. Located in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, its islands are a long way from any continent. 

As Hawaii is generally an exotic destination, costing a considerable amount in airfare to reach, most would never think of saving money by not renting a car while in the islands. While it is possible to reach many places on O’hau with public transportation, it is all but impossible on the other islands. 

Some may prefer to not have a rental car while spending days in resorts, such as Waikiki. This is possible since a rental car can be picked up in many towns and resorts on the islands. 

USA - Hawaii

Top ways to enter Hawaii

Honolulu International Airport (HNL) is the largest airport in Hawaii and the main gateway for travelers from both the mainland U.S. and other countries. It is located just north of Downtown Honolulu on the island of O'ahu. Most suppliers have rental desks inside the airport. 

The island of Maui’s main airport, Kahului Airport, is located just a few miles east of Kahului’s downtown. Most of the flights that land at the airport originate from Honolulu International Airport, with the route being one of the busiest in the United States. The airport also has flights from some cities on the mainland of the U.S. and in Canada. Rental cars can be picked up at the airport in the car rental building just past baggage claim. All rental car companies except Sixt have desks in his building. For Sixt, a shuttle is required. 

Kona International Airport is one of the major airports on the island of Hawaii (the Big Island). It is located on the west side of the island near the town of Kalaoa. Most of its flights are from Honolulu, though it also hosts seasonal flights from the mainland and Canada. Rental car companies are located off airport and a shuttle is required to reach all of them.  

Hilo International Airport is the other major airport on the island of Hawaii. It is located near Hilo on the eastern side of the island. Most of its flights are to and from Honolulu International Airport, though United Airlines also has flights to the airport from Los Angeles. The rental car companies serving the airport have offices across the street from the airports single terminal. 

Most cruises from the mainland U.S., Canada, New Zealand, and Australia are round-trip but do usually offer a few days ashore on one or more of the islands during which a rental car may be useful. A few one-way cruises are available every year. If arriving on one, it is usually possible to pick up a rental car on whichever island you arrive at without going to the airport. 

It’s worth noting that American citizens traveling to the islands by boat, either ferry, freight, or private, must first stop in another country unless on a rare American-flagged vessel. This is due to an obscure old law prohibiting foreign vessels from carrying American passengers within the U.S. 

Top cities and places to visit

  • O’ahu - The most popular of Hawaii’s islands, Oahu is home to the capital city, Honolulu which is the economic and cultural center of the state that is home to the overwhelming majority of the state’s residents. Honolulu’s Waikiki Beach is the most famous beach in the state. In addition, Pearl Harbor is probably the most visited site in the state. Of course, the island isn’t all urban jungle. Head outside the city for lovely beaches and don’t miss the North Shore which has some of the world’s largest wave during winter. 
  • Pearl Harbor - This harbor was permanently etched into the memory of the American nation when on  December 7, 1941 the Japenese Empire launched a surprise attack on the Pacific Fleet of the U.S. Navy stationed in it bringing America into the second world war. The harbor is now a National Memorial with a visitor center, multiple memorials, and an aviation museum. 

    The centerpiece of the National Memorial is the USS Arizona Memorial which sits on top of (but not touching) the sunken USS Arizona. The battleship was bombed on that fateful day and exploded killing 1,177 sailors and Marines, the overwhelming majority of which remain onboard the ship. The memorial honors the memory of these sailors along with the other service members that died that day, 2,341 members of the military and 49 civilians in total. The memorial can be visited by boat from the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center after watching a 23-minute film about the events of that day. As seating on the boats is limited, it is best to reserve a free ticket (with a nominal booking fee) in advance. Note: The Memorial is closed until the fall of 2019 and tours of the harbor are offered in place of visitation of the Memorial. 

    As a compliment to the USS Arizona, the USS Missouri is permanently docked in the harbor with its bow facing and overlooking the USS Arizona. The battleship is famous for having been the location of the signing of the Japanese Instrument of Surrender ending the war (though it was in Tokyo at the time). Tours are available with a bus carrying visitors from the Visitor Center to the ship's location on Ford Island. 
  • Maui - Maui is the second most-visited and second largest of the islands. The island has numerous resorts and hotels and some of the best beaches in the state. Though sometimes known as the island of the rich and famous, there are many opportunities for those with lower budgets too. It is also known for Haleakala National Park named after the volcanic crater contained within it. The road between the national park and the town of Hana is considered to be the most scenic drive in the state. 
  • The Big Island (Hawaii) - 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. 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. 
  • Kauai - The northwesternmost of the major islands is the fourth most-visited island of the state. 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. Lihue Airport is the main gateway to the island and rental cars can be picked up at the airport. 
  • Molokai - One of the least developed of the islands and therefore least-visited, Molokai is a great destination for the more adventurous that are looking to get away from the crowded resorts. The most popular attraction is the Kalaupapa National Historic Site, a former leper colony. The colony is not reachable by road, being cut off by mountains and steep cliff leading to the sea. Visitors can reach it via a flight from the island’s airport (and from other islands), private boat, or by a trail the head of which is located off of Highway 470. In addition to hiking on your own, mules are available for rent to make the journey along the steep trail. The island also has many more scenic places that can be visited without the crowds of the other islands. 
  • Lanai - This small island can be seen from the western part of Maui. It used to be completely owned by a food company and was used for growing pineapples. Now it serves as a place for very exclusive resorts. Part of the island has a landscape that reminds of that of the moon. Of course, travel in this Garden of the Gods requires a four-wheel drive SUV as does travel in general outside of the resorts and Lanai Town.

Most popular rental car

The most popular class of rental car in Hawaii is the economy of which the Nissan Versa is a good example. Renters also often choose intermediate class cars, such as the Hyundai Elantra. Given the state of some of the roads, particularly on islands other than Oahu, many renters prefer to rent an SUV and the Toyota Rav4 is often their choice. 

Driver's license requirements

While an International Driver’s Permit (IDP) is recommended if your driver’s license is not in English but is in a Latin script (for example, Spanish, German, or French), an IDP is required if your driver’s license is in a different script (for example, Russian, Japanese, Chinese, Greek). An IDP does not substitute for your driver’s license, though. You still must provide a driver’s license from your country along with it. 

Whether you are a U.S. citizen or a foreign citizen, your driver's license must have been obtained at least a year prior to renting the car. 

Drivers must be at least 21 years old to rent a car in Hawaii. Any driver that is under 25 years of age will be charged and Underage Drivers fee. 

Crossing borders

The only way one would be able to cross a border with a rental car that was picked up in Hawaii would be if the car was taken on a cargo ship. It shouldn’t need to be said that no rental company would ever allow this.  

Unlike some other island groups (such as the Greek Islands), there are no car ferries in Hawaii. If planning to travel across different islands, plan to rent a different car on each. 

Top driving routes

  • Hana Highway - Widely considered to be the most scenic drive on any of the Hawaiian Islands, Hana Highway is a must-not-miss experience if there ever was one. Located on the island of Maui, the road is around 64 miles long traversing the lush rainforest between Haleakala National Park and Kahului through the town of Hanna. Even though the distance is short, it takes around three hours to travel the entire road. And that’s without any stops, which anyone in their right mind will make. The road has multiple single-lane bridges where one must yield to oncoming traffic. 

    If you were to stop at every point worth seeing, traveling the road could possibly take days. Multiple stunning waterfalls are right off the road. Stunning beaches along the highway include the black sand beach in Waianapanapa State Park that was made from the rough sea eroding lava flows and grounding them into sand over millennia. 

    The Hann Lave Tube is a cave unlike any you’ve ever seen having been formed from molten lava that spewed from underground and flowed toward the ocean. You can descend into the cave and walk through it. High-powered flashlights are provided with the admission fee. 
  • Kamehameha V Highway - Also considered one of the most beautiful drives in the state, Kamehameha is a 28-mile road on the island of Molokai. It runs from the town of Kaunakakai along the coast to Halawa Valley, where it dead ends. Most of the coast consists of former fish ponds instead of beaches, though this could be an interesting change. The road passes through multiple small communities and countryside fields. The latter part of the road narrows and turns to the mountains before ending at Halawa Valley where travelers can take a guided hike of the Halawa Valley and see a gorgeous waterfall. 
  • Chain of Craters Road - Located in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the island of Hawaii, the Chain of Craters Road passes through the East Rift and coastal area of the park. It starts from the equally stunning, though much shorter, Crater Rim Drive which circumnavigates the Keanakakoi Crater.  The Chain of Craters Road has changed in length over time having had parts added and the end of the road closed due to lava flows. After passing by craters and trails to others, the road makes its way to the coast, currently ending near the Holei Sea Arch where restrooms (drop toilets) can be found. Be sure to fill up before setting out for the National Park as there are no services available.  
  • Haleakala Highway - Located on the island of Maui, the Haleakala Highway is also known as Crater Road. It snakes its way up from the lowlands to the summit of Haleakala (the Red Hill). An observatory sits on top of the summit. At 10,000 feet, the summit is the highest point on the island. An entrance fee to the national park is required to be paid around mile 10 of the road. 
  • Kokee Road - Located in the northwestern part of Kauai, Kokee Road ascends from the coast to  Waimea Canyon which is known as the Grand Canyon of the Pacific. The canyon is about ten miles long and 3,000ft. deep. In addition to multiple hiking trails, the state park that contains the canyon also has some small, but paved roads. Further along, the Kalalau Valley is very scenic with a lookout located just off the road. On the way to the state park, there are two roads that can be taken, which make for an interesting way to come down differently than you went up. 
  • Farrington Highway - A major highway located on Oahu, the Farrington Highway travels through the western part of the island. It begins near Pearl Harbor and used to end near the North Shore. Unfortunately, it is now split into two sections since the section at Kaena Point is no longer passable. The route passes by many beaches. It also passes by the Kaneana Cave. Of course, hiking to Kaena Point is the highlight of the route. 
  • Kamehameha Highway - the other long distance road on the island of Oahu, the Kamehameha highway leaves Honolulu heading for the North Shore. The road passes by most of the beaches of the North Shore, where surfing is popular. The route then goes around the northeastern tip of the island and heads down the eastern coast. It passes through coves and state parks like the Ahupua'a O Kahana State Park which has miles and miles of trails through the tropical forest. If staying on the island of Oahu, a trip around the eastern side of the island on this road is a must-do. 

Car rental prices

  • Convertibles - from $62 per day
  • Large cars - from $43 per day
  • Medium cars - from $44 per day
  • Vans - from $65 per day
  • Premium cars - from $48 per day
  • Small cars - from $50 per day
  • SUVs - from $48 per day
This information was written, fact-checked, and/or translated by our content creators.

Learn more about our Editorial Policy.

Map of Car Rental Locations

What is the cheapest month to rent a car in Hawaii?

The cost of renting a car in Hawaii varies by season. The table and graph below can help you find the best time of year to save on a rental car.
Average rental costs per day in Hawaii
$48.11
January
$58.69
February
$52.01
March
$51.11
April
$48.67
May
$55.94
June
$64.26
July
$57.24
August
$45.89
September
$46.76
October
$44.48
November
$59.65
December
The cheapest month of the year to rent a car in Hawaii is November — when rental costs average $44.48 per day. This is 16% cheaper than the yearly average and 31% cheaper than renting a car in July (when prices average $64.26 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.

What’s the average rental length in Hawaii?

How long renters typically keep their vehicle sometimes varies depending on the time of year. Travelers tend to keep their rental cars longer in June — an average of 8 days. They tend to keep them for a shorter time in May — an average of 5 days.
Average number of rental days in Hawaii
7
January
7
February
6
March
6
April
5
May
8
June
7
July
6
August
6
September
6
October
7
November
7
December

What's the most popular month to rent a car in Hawaii?

Based on how many customers search for a car in Hawaii, the most popular month is August, while the least popular is March.
Monthly searches in Hawaii by pick-up date relative to the average
99%
January
96%
February
65%
March
73%
April
74%
May
71%
June
96%
July
154%
August
102%
September
138%
October
109%
November
122%
December

Car rental information

Car rental locations 28
Airport locations 9
Popular suppliers Dollar, Thrifty, Ace Rent a car, Alamo, SIXT
Popular car categories SUVs, Large cars, Medium cars, Vans
Lowest price $43 per day
Cheapest supplier Thrifty

Most popular car models of rental suppliers

Rental Supplier Model Doors Luggage Type
Dollar Honda CR-V 5 3 SUVs
Dollar Jeep Renegade 4 2 SUVs
Ace Rent a car Toyota Rav4 4 2 SUVs
Ace Rent a car Chrysler Pacifica 4 4 Vans
Dollar Volkswagen Jetta 4 2 Large cars
Dollar Hyundai Accent 4 2 Medium cars
Thrifty Nissan Rogue 5 3 SUVs
Thrifty Volkswagen Jetta 4 2 Large cars
Dollar Honda Civic 4 2 Large cars
Thrifty Ford Focus 4 2 Medium cars

FAQ

Are there any toll roads in Hawaii?
No, there are currently no toll roads in Hawaii. You can drive freely on all public roads and do not need to worry about being offered any type of toll package by the rental supplier.
Can I visit multiple islands on the same trip?
You can, but plan to book flights between the islands. Ferries are few and far in between, partially due to the rough seas between the islands. Even if you do manage to travel between islands by boat, you will definitely need to book separate rental cars for your journey as there's no way to transport a car between islands nor would any rental company allow such.
What is the best time to visit Hawaii?
The best time to visit is when it is late spring or early fall on the mainland (Hawaii is of course tropical without such seasons). The holidays (Christmas, New Years, and Spring Break) are when the islands are the most crowded, so it's better to go at other times of the year.
Do Americans need a passport to go to Hawaii?
No, as Hawaii is a US state, you don't need a passport if you are flying into the state from the mainland US.

Our customers' reviews

Because we want to make sure each review listed here is left by a real customer, we don’t have the 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.

United States of America (USA)
Toyota Corolla
8/10/24
Road to Hana plus loop around was amazing! Paia hostel was great.
New Zealand
Nissan Armada
7/4/24
Evening was perfect on our trip, we had fantastic time with family and overseas family special birthdays a 50th and 21st and Kauai is paradise everything amazing except our rental experience with thrifty - both in Honolulu and then again on Kauai
United States of America (USA)
Nissan Rogue
4/29/24
Blue Dolphin dinner cruise; Rum safari; dinner at the Beach House; Lydgate Chocolate Farm tour; Spouting Horn; Big Fish coffee; Sunshine Helicopter tour.
United States of America (USA)
Nissan Rogue
11/18/23
We explored the whole island of Kauai by car and by helicopter. Truly amazing views of Na Pali coast, Waimea Canyon, and so many beautiful waterfalls. We saw sea turtles at Po’ipu Beach and Spouting Horn. We saw two whales off the coast near David K. Inouye Kilauea Point Lighthouse. We hiked some beautiful trails and ended our trip with a traditional Luau. I’m ready to go back!
Photo 1 by Melanie F. about renting a Nissan Rogue in Hawaii (11/18/23) Photo 2 by Melanie F. about renting a Nissan Rogue in Hawaii (11/18/23) Photo 3 by Melanie F. about renting a Nissan Rogue in Hawaii (11/18/23) Photo 4 by Melanie F. about renting a Nissan Rogue in Hawaii (11/18/23) Photo 5 by Melanie F. about renting a Nissan Rogue in Hawaii (11/18/23)
United States of America (USA)
Chevrolet Equinox
10/14/23
The Hawaiian islands are indescribable. You just HAVE to visit!! The scenery, the people, the food, the national park, everything, every minute is worth it!
United States of America (USA)
Chrysler Pacifica
8/29/23
family trip we swam with manta rays, turtles and walked in a volcano.
United States of America (USA)
Chevrolet Malibu
8/3/23
Lots of Tourists things..
United States of America (USA)
Mazda 3
7/4/23
Celebrated our 53rd Anniversary with all of our kids and grandkids. Great time together.
United States of America (USA)
Toyota Corolla
5/27/23
Loved Hawaii!
United States of America (USA)
Toyota Corolla
5/6/23
The northshore beaches ( which caused the so called excessive sand) Pearl Harbour tour and Diamond Head were all great experiences
United States of America (USA)
Nissan Versa
3/19/23
Car not starting cut short several of our days in dealing with it
United States of America (USA)
Jeep Wrangler
3/8/23
We took the wrangler to the furthest points north and south of the Kauai island and all through the Waimea Canyon Park. We loved the car play featured, it’s allowed us to listen to our “Kauai revealed” app that pointed out different landmarks. We loved the T-top feature, it was easy to put up and down. And our jeep was brand new!
United States of America (USA)
Dodge Caravan
3/6/23
Kauai’s natural beauty is unparalleled. Loved swimming, hiking, bicycling, paddle boarding. Island is small and easy to maneuver. Watch out for peak hours on the main road, lots of traffic between 4 and 6 pm. Rainy season is a bit more challenging but still enjoyable. Prices are insane but that’s Hawaii I guess. I feel for the locals who are not billionaires.
United States of America (USA)
Volkswagen Jetta
3/3/23
Car enabled nice beach walks and mountain views from Haleakala.
United States of America (USA)
Kia Rio
1/18/23
We rented a Wrangler and boy were we glad that we did; as our road to Hanna would have not as easy. there are beautiful places to pull over and do different things and having a jeep definitely made it more fun.
Sweden
Jeep Wrangler
1/9/23
Molokai is the place to visit of you want to get away from the crowds…
Canada
Ford Explorer
12/15/22
Wonderful weather whole week. Used the car to go to North Shore and other places on the island. Nice to get out of Waikiki at times. Only negative that the traffic has gotten much worse in a few years. Restaurant price have risen since Covid but the seems to the same everywhere
United States of America (USA)
Chrysler Pacifica
10/26/22
Golfand dinner at Kapalua Plantation course and restaurant.
United States of America (USA)
Toyota Camry
6/20/22
I did a self pick-up and self drop off of the vehicle
United States of America (USA)
Chevrolet Equinox
3/8/22
Quick in and out, friendly staff!
United States of America (USA)
Ford Mustang
7/12/21
If you are staying in Honolulu it's definitely worth it to get a rental car for at least one day and drive outside of the city to see more of the island of O'ahu. Very beautiful place.
United States of America (USA)
Buick Regal
9/25/19
Great service, easy and very friendly

Car Rental Statistics

Highest-rated company
SIXT
8.9 / 10
)
Lowest-rated company
yesaway
7.1 / 10
)
Total number of reviews
27
Total rental companies
15
Average daily price
$56.78
Lowest daily price
$43.37
Total cars available
2526

Top 15 suppliers in Hawaii in 2024

SIXT
SIXT
Very good 8.9 / 36 reviews
6 locations
$52 - $242
Enterprise
Enterprise
Very good 8.8 / 19 reviews
6 locations
$50 - $218
Alamo
Alamo
Very good 8.5 / 37 reviews
9 locations
$48 - $176
Ace Rent a car
Ace Rent a car
Very good 8 / 115 reviews
4 locations
$82 - $106
Dollar
Dollar
Good 7.9 / 206 reviews
13 locations
$44 - $146
Hertz
Hertz
Good 7.8 / 4 reviews
11 locations
National
National
Good 7.7 / 7 reviews
7 locations
$51 - $219
Europcar
Europcar
Good 7.6 / 6 reviews
1 location
Payless
Payless
Good 7.6 / 6 reviews
5 locations
Budget
Budget
Good 7.6 / 4 reviews
10 locations
$58 - $218
GreenMotion
GreenMotion
Good 7.6
1 location
Thrifty
Thrifty
Good 7.5 / 136 reviews
12 locations
$43 - $150
Advantage
Advantage
Good 7.5 / 2 reviews
3 locations
NUCarrentals
NUCarrentals
Good 7.3 / 3 reviews
3 locations
$76 - $111
yesaway
yesaway
Good 7.1 / 69 reviews
2 locations
$110 - $155
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