With sun-kissed beaches and dramatic vistas, the Honolulu/Waikiki area is among summer’s hottest vacation destinations. But in case you haven’t been watching the news, Honolulu is experiencing a car rental apocalypse. Rental cars are so high that some visitors have resorted to renting U-Haul vehicles to save costs. So, should you pay for an expensive car rental or try a different approach to your transportation needs?
How to Get Around Waikiki
Why A Rental Car Shortage
Like many other industries, the pandemic hit the rental car industry hard, causing it to lose up to 90 percent of its business. This drastic drop in revenue forced rental car agencies to sell portions of their inventory while halting new purchases. When Hawaii and other destinations began to loosen travel restrictions, the demand for car rentals exceeded the supply.
Honolulu Car Rental Prices
According to Kayak, the average price of a rental car in Honolulu is a staggering $295 a day. For example, you can get a Volkswagen Jetta for $1,402 for a three-day rental. The cheapest for the same three-day period was a “Supplier Choice” car for $1,088. The price surge won’t end after summer, either. Multiple reports say the car rental shortage may last for another 18 months.
Related: How to Get Around Toronto with Public Transportation
Comparing Travel Site Prices On Rental Cars In Honolulu
While the Kayak search showed an average of $295 daily for a car rental, TripAdvisor was remarkably much lower. It was much lower than in two searches, and the lowest price for a three-day rental on TripAdvisor was just $471. In a subsequent search on Expedia, the lowest three-day car rental was $438. Please know that rental car prices will fluctuate.
Sixt Rental Car
Early on this travel season, the German-based Sixt rental car company created interest as a car rental option. This was because their cars can be rented via the Lyft app in a joint partnership. But prices have risen in the busy summer months due to peak demand. In a quick search for a three-day rental, there were 20 available cars, starting at $177.71 a day.
Related: Public Transportation In San Francisco
Turo
One company that has been receiving widespread attention as an alternative to renting a car is Turo. Based in San Francisco, Turo is a car-sharing business that connects car owners with customers looking to rent a car. Also known as peer-to-peer car sharing, the service has allowed customers to save money on rental cars. However, demand for Turo cars has risen, with Honolulu’s lowest available rental costing about $110 per day.
Uber Rent
To meet the demand for rental cars, Uber recently launched its own service, Uber Rent, which may be available later this year in Honolulu.
Rideshare
Rideshares are convenient and widely used across the Honolulu/Waikiki area. Yet, the pandemic also created a shortage of rideshare drivers. This shortage has caused prices to soar up to 40 percent in Honolulu. For example, one couple recently visited Reno, Nevada, and had to pay $120 from the airport to Waikiki. Still, rideshares are in peak demand and can help get around the city.
Holoholo: New Rideshare Service
In addition to Uber and Lyft, Holoholo, a local rideshare service, began providing rides on the islands of Hawaii. Rides can be booked with Holoholo via the official Android/iOS app or online. The Holoholo website also provides fare estimates to calculate the price of a ride. In a quick search, the lowest one-way fare from the airport to Waikiki was $41.08.
Related: Seattle Without A Rental Car
Getting To & From Honolulu International Airport
Visitors have several ground transportation options to and from Honolulu International Airport. Car rentals from six on-airport and some off-airport agencies are available. Rideshares and taxis can also transport you to your hotel. More affordable options are explained in more detail below.
Roberts Airport Shuttle Hawaii
The only airport shuttle listed on Honolulu Airport’s website is Roberts Airport Shuttle. In business for 80 years, Roberts is a convenient way to get to your Honolulu/Waikiki hotel. The current rates are reasonable, starting at $23 for a shared transfer.
Hotels With Free Airport Transportation
Some Honolulu-Waikiki hotels may provide a free airport shuttle service. You can search through a reputable travel site or directly with a hotel. When checking with a travel site like TripAdvisor, Kayak, etc., please know that information on free hotel shuttles may not be current.
Additional Airport Shuttle Services
In addition to Roberts Airport Shuttle, many more companies provide shuttle service to and from the airport. Among those with good ratings from past customers are Aloha Airport Shuttle, Honolulu Airport Transfer, and SpeediShuttle.
Honolulu Rail Transit
A light rail system known as the Honolulu Authority for Rail Transit (HART) is currently under construction. The system will eventually provide public transportation between West Honolulu and Ala Moana. The $12.4 billion project will open its first section later this year. Eventually, there will be stations at Pearl Harbor, Honolulu Airport, and downtown Honolulu.
Honolulu/Waikiki Transportation Options
Public Transportation
Unsurprisingly, the least expensive way to your hotel is by public bus. The City and County of Honolulu has an outstanding transit system simply known as TheBus. Of the three bus routes that serve the airport, routes 19 and 20 go to Waikiki. The third route, 31, terminates at Kalihi Transit Center, where a connection can be made to Waikiki. Buses run every 30 minutes from the airport, and a one-way regular fare is $2.75.
Bus Fare Information
Cash and HOLO cards can be used as bus fare. HOLO cards store money and can be delivered via mail or at selected locations. The fare for youths is $1.25, while the fare for older adults or people with a disability card is $1. Monthly passes and day passes are also available.
Popular Bus Routes
TheBus has 110 routes, serving the island of Oahu. Several bus routes serve Waikiki Beach, including routes 2, 8, 13, 14, 19, and 20. To reach Diamond Head, take routes 2 or 23. The latter also serves Sea Life Park, while 22 serves Sea Park and Hanauma Bay. Buses also reach the North Shore, although connections are required.
Transportation Apps
Several transportation apps are available to help you reach your destination on public transportation. Two of the best are Rome2Rio and Moovit.
Related: Discover A National Park By Boat
Tour Buses
Bus tours are in high demand during the peak summer and fall seasons. One of the most popular is the Waikiki Trolley, with hop-on, hop-off stops at several top attractions. Three routes are available to places like Waikiki Beach, ‘Iolani Palace, and Diamond Head. Each route can be paid for separately or combined on a day pass. Other trolley services like LeaLea and JTB’s Oli Oli are currently out of service.
Popular Tours
For those who find public transportation difficult, there are bus tours covering almost all of Oahu. While public buses go to Pearl Harbor, specialized tours are available from E Noa, Roberts Hawaii, and Pearl Harbor Tours. Extensive island tours are available from Royal Star Hawaii, Surf Bus, and Hawaii Turtle. In addition to luaus from select hotels, Paradise Cove Luau and Roberts Hawaii may still have reservations. Tours may already be sold out at the famous Polynesian Cultural Center.
Biking
Bike rentals far outnumber available bike tours in Honolulu or Waikiki. Bike Tour Hawaii is the most centrally located on Ala Wai Boulevard. A variety of tours are available, like Historical Honolulu, Diamond Head Bike to Hike, and a Foodie Tour. Bike Tour Hawaii will also have bike rentals beginning in July. Further away past Diamond Head is Bike Hawaii. Bike Hawaii offers mountain and e-bike tours, hiking tours, and more.
Rideshare Bikes
A great way to exercise and travel is with one of Honolulu’s rideshare rental bikes. Known as Biki, more than 1,000 bikes are available from 130 Biki bike stations. A one-way fare for travel up to 30 minutes is just $4. Additional time beyond 30 minutes is $4.50 for every 30 minutes or fraction thereof. The Biki app allows visitors to store money, and a multi-stop pass of 300 minutes is $25.
Biki Bikes
Biki bikes are non-electric, so users will have to peddle without the assistance of a motor. The Biki website offers information on bike safety, rental bike station maps, and a system map. Reviews of Biki haven’t always been positive, so it’s recommended to see review sites like Yelp.
Bike Shop Rentals
Honolulu is a bike-friendly city with numerous businesses that offer tours and rentals. Many are in the heart of Waikiki, near or within walking distance of Kalakaua Avenue. Hawaiian Style Rentals and GoGo Rental are among the best for standard or e-bikes. Businesses can also offer helmet rentals and suggested bike routes.
Motorcycle Rentals
Motorcycle rentals can be a great way to get around Honolulu and Waikiki. For example, motorcycles are more fuel-efficient than cars and can get through traffic faster. ut rates can much like renting a car. ruzin Hawaii has motorcycles, scooters, and mopeds that can be rented for four hours or over several days. hase Hawaii Rentals near Hyatt Regency Waikiki has Hondas and Harleys for rent from nine to 24 hours.
Scooter/Moped Rentals/Segway Tours
Scooter and moped rentals are more affordable than motorcycles, and there are more shops to choose from. Mong the most popular are Hawaiian Style Rentals, Cruzin Hawaii, and Waikiki Moped and Car. Cooters cost about $65-75 for four hours, while mopeds cost about $35 for four hours. The minimum age to rent a scooter is 21, and 18 for mopeds. A security deposit is required for any rental. Few Segway tours are available, but they are expensive for budget-conscious travelers. For instance, a two-hour Diamond Head tour is $195 from Segway of Hawaii. For couples, that’s $400; for a family of four, it’s $800. egway of Hawaii has an Intro Tour, but it’s $99 for just 30 minutes.
Boat Transportation
There aren’t any boat services on Oahu that serve as public transportation, and there isn’t a ferry service between islands to and from Oahu, either.
Catamarans
Catamaran rides have been very popular this summer, with many sailings already sold out. However, some spaces are still available. Mong the suggestions are Maita’I Catamaran, Mana Kai and Holokai Catamaran. The most affordable tours tend to sell out more quickly.
Outrigger Rides
Outrigger canoes have been part of Hawaiian culture since the early 1900s, and they are a familiar sight along Waikiki Beach. outrigger rides are affordable, starting at about $35 for 30 minutes, and Waikiki is the only place to catch a ride. Waikiki Beach Services is one of the oldest, offering surfing lessons and catamaran rides. Ig Wave Dave is slightly higher but has a great customer rating, and Faith Surf School might be the best-valued.
Popular Boat Tours
Multiple tour operators offer boat tours, although some reservations may already be sold out by July. The choice depends upon availability, price, and what’s included on a trip. Of course, the glass bottom boats are always popular for snorkeling and sailing adventures.
Boat Rentals
Visitors can rent a boat by the hour or day. However, boat rentals are expensive and can cost hundreds of dollars an hour. Jetboat has a list of boat rentals and vacation rental sites like VRBO and AirBnb.
Private Charter Boats
Charter boats are expensive, especially for those trying to save money on a rental car. Ome busSomesses are Tradewind Charters, Captain Bruce, and Waikiki Catamaran. Ost charters operate out of Basin Harbor or Ala Wai Boat Harbor, the largest in Hawaii.
About The Author:
Randy Yagi is an award-winning freelance writer who served as the National Travel Writer for CBS Local from 2012 to 2019. More than 900 of his stories still appear in syndication across 23 CBS websites, including CBS New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and San Francisco. During his peak years with CBS, Randy had a reported digital audience reach of 489 million and 5.5 million monthly visitors. Other stories have appeared in the Daily Meal, CBS News, CBS Radio, Engadget, NBC.com, NJ.com, and Radio.com. e is a Media Fellow of Stanford University.