Do You Need a Rental Car in Maui?
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Planning a trip to Maui, but unsure if you really need a rental car? This is the complete guide to renting a car in Maui, Hawaii!
After traveling to Maui for our honeymoon and numerous vacations, I can confidently give you my top recommendations for getting a rental car in Maui.
There is so much to see and do on this island paradise that I highly recommend getting a rental car when traveling to Maui.
With views spread far apart like the road to Hana, the stunning heights of Haleakala, the beaches of Kaanapali, renting a car will give you the flexibility to go wherever and wherever you like.
🚙 Ready to rent a car in Maui? Book it through Discover Cars!
Getting a rental car in Maui can be overwhelming because of all the choices available. To make your decision easier, here are some things to consider when planning your Maui adventure.
Let’s jump in!
Do You Need a Rental Car in Maui – The Complete Guide
Booking a car rental in Maui would provide you with the most flexibility to explore all of Maui’s beautiful sights at your own pace, especially if this is your first venture to the island and you only have a few short days to explore.
My recommendation is to book your rental car for pick up at the Kahalui Airport (OGG) in Maui. Pick a flight that lands early and then send one person directly to pick up the car. The lines for rental cars at this airport can get pretty long, so you want to beat the traffic!
Here’s everything to consider when you book your rental car in Maui!
Budgeting for a rental car in Maui
When it comes to your budget for renting a car in Maui, consider the time of year and book early. The high tourist season usually causes car rentals to be $45 or more per day for a car rental.
The cheapest months to rent a car in Maui are April, June, and November whereas the most expensive months are February, July, and December.
You can expect to pay as low as $45 for a compact rental car to $120 for an SUV in Maui. Keep in mind that this can vary according to the season of your visit.
Insurance is typically not included in your car rental, but I recommend purchasing full coverage insurance in Maui. You never know what can happen on the road and it’s best to be safe.
My favorite place to rent a car is Discover Cars. They provide a comprehensive cost overview so you get the best price from all car rental companies.
Book your rental car as soon as possible to get the best prices. But you also have up to 2 days before your travel date to cancel your booking. So if you find a cheaper option as you monitor the prices, you can cancel and re-book for a better price.
Keep in mind that gas prices may be higher than normal because fuel needs to be shipped to Maui. I recommend paying the pre-fuel for the last tank of gas so that you don’t have to worry about finding a gas station as you’re making your way to the airport.
However, if you prefer to fill up the tank yourself before returning your rental car, stop by Costco’s gas station if you’re a member so you get the cheapest gas prices.
It’s also best to look into hotels with free self-parking so you don’t have to pay a parking fee for your car rental.
All of these tips will help you save when you book a car rental in Maui!
Picking up your rental car in Maui
When you land in Maui, send one person to take a shuttle from the arrivals terminal to pick up your rental car. You can also walk if you want to beat the traffic to the rental car desks.
All of the car rental desks can be found in the car rental building except for Sixt. You will need to take the airport shuttle to just outside the airport to pick up your car rental if you book with Sixt.
Make sure to have all required documentation such as your driver’s license and proof of insurance with you when picking up the car.
I highly recommend landing in Maui as early as you can. This will help you with traffic, getting an early start on your vacation, and getting to your accommodations just in time for check-in.
Practicality for a rental car in Maui
Renting a car in Maui can be a great experience, take these practical considerations into account.
First, do not go off-roading. You might find it in your car rental contract that you aren’t allowed to drive the backside of Maui, which is the southeast road past the Pipiwai trail in Hana.
Drivers are also not allowed to drive their cars on the beach, and you could get fined if caught doing so.
Parking spaces in Maui are also pretty small. Smaller cars help make parking easier. However, if you need a larger car like an SUV or minivan, take your time getting in and out of parking lots and spaces.
Maui has a tropical climate, so rain showers are common in certain months. When it rains, the roads can become slippery and visibility can be impaired.
Be especially cautious when driving the Road to Hana or the Kahekili Highway. These are one-lane roads that are curvy and take longer to drive on.
Safety tips for a rental car in Maui
Car break-ins in Maui are pretty common and a deciding factor for a car break-in is having your valuables for all to see.
To be safe, always keep your car doors locked, and don’t leave any valuables in the vehicle or hide them away.
When picking up your car rental, be sure to check the tires and brakes before heading out and make sure that there are no signs of damage to either.
Obey all the traffic laws and be aware of your surroundings when you’re driving in Maui. On one-lane roads to Hana, there may be residents who need to get to work so be sure to let them pass if you are taking your time on the road.
Also, be respectful of property and trespassing signs. This is also a place people call home–as a visitor to their place of living, don’t go where you’re not supposed to.
Take frequent breaks from driving as fatigue can easily set in when driving long distances. Lastly, always wear your seatbelt for added safety measures!
Alternatives to a Car Rental in Maui
Though I believe visitors should book a rental car to have the best experience around Maui, there may be some vacations where you don’t need a rental car.
When you don’t need a car rental in Maui
If you plan on staying at the resorts in Maui, you could cut your costs down by not booking a rental car.
At the Kaanapali resorts, you can walk to Whaler’s Village for dining and shopping. You can find food from poke to pizza! Along the beachfront, you can dine at restaurants like the Hula Grill or Leilani’s on the Beach.
The Wailea resorts also have dining and shopping within walking distance so you don’t need to leave the resort unless you make reservations at a specific restaurant.
Using the local hotel shuttles around the resorts and using Uber for sporadic excursions means you wouldn’t need a rental car in Maui.
Maui Public Transportation
To truly keep your costs low and still explore all that Maui has to offer, you can take the Maui Bus around the island. The cost per person is $2.
Just download the Maui Bus App when you land and start tracking your bus arrival and departure times to plan your itinerary accordingly.
Be sure to also take advantage of airport shuttles when you arrive and leave as most of them offer free rides to the airport.
Uber, Lyft, Maui Taxis
You can also use rideshares to get around Maui. They are now available in major tourist areas and provide clean and safe transportation for dinner or an excursion.
The best part about hiring a rideshare is that you don’t have to pay for parking!
FAQs: Do You Need a Car Rental in Maui?
Do you need a rental car for the Road to Hana?
Yes, I highly recommend booking a car rental for the road to Hana.
The road to Hana is a one-lane road from West Maui to East Maui. Any car rental can make it on the road even though it can be narrow at times. Having a closed-top vehicle is also preferable when driving the road to Hana since it rains a lot on the east side of Maui.
The only stipulation with any rental car in Maui is to not drive the backside of Maui. This is the road that is past the Pipiwai Trail in Hana becuase the road isn’t paved. If you aren’t familiar with the terrain, you could get in big trouble.
I believe anyone can drive the road to Hana if you take your time, yield to other drivers, and obey the traffic laws. However, if you don’t feel comfortable driving this road, you could also book a tour.
Do you need a rental car for Haleakala National Park?
Yes, I also highly recommend getting a rental car if you plan to visit Haleakala National Park.
This is true especially if you want to do the sunrise or sunset views on Haleakala. You’ll either have to drive super early to get there before sunrise or stay late to see the sunset.
Having a rental car will provide flexibility for your outing, including extra jackets, blankets, or snacks you want to bring up with you. Plus, the roads are well-maintained so you can easily get to the summit.
Do you need a rental car for Kahekili Highway?
If one of your bucket list items is to get on the Kahekili Highway, they yes, I would recommend getting a rental car in Maui.
The Kahekili Highway is noted as one of the most dangerous roads in the world because of its narrow one-lane, winding road with no guardrails and sheer cliffs to drive by.
There have been improvements made to the road in recent years, but it’s still not for the faint of heart!
I recommend renting a Jeep or a small car to drive on the Kahekili Highway.
🚙 For booking any rental car online, I highly recommend going through Discover Rental Cars as they have the best prices for Hawaii!
