Updated April 26, 2024
Do I need to rent a car at the Honolulu International Airport?
You’ve booked your airline tickets and your gorgeous hotel. Now you’re asking, “Do I need to rent a car at the Honolulu International Airport? How do I get around Oahu?”. In this post, we’ll help you navigate what happens from the minute you grab your luggage at the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (also known as Honolulu International), plus share transportation options to help you get your vacation started right away.
How to get around Oahu by car sharing
If you prefer to avoid the hassle of waiting in rental car lines the minute you arrive, we recommend opting for relaxing on the way to your hotel via shuttle, rideshare or taxi.
When you’re ready to hit the town, pick up a Hui from one of our 70 stations across Oahu. Hui Car Share is a round-trip car rental service that allows you to reserve and unlock a vehicle all through our mobile app (download it here).
Book by the minute or day, based on your schedule – say, for a couple hours to hike Diamond Head. Return the car to the same station and spend the rest of the day on the beach (don’t forget your sunscreen). Or you might book a full-day rental for a road trip to the North Shore to enjoy surf, shave ice and shrimp trucks!
Pricing starts at $12.60/hour and $131.78/day, with no additional mileage fees. Gas and insurance are both included with your reservation, and most locations are accessible 24/7.
How to get around Oahu by car rental
With companies like Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz, National and SIXT located on-site at the airport, it’s easy to rent a car.
Upon arrival, follow the signs to the rental agency shuttle pick-up area located on the center median outside baggage claim. Shuttles typically run every 7–10 minutes.
Renting an economy car from the airport location can cost under $100 a day during non-peak periods, though rates have soared as high as $600 a day during peak travel times. Additional costs such as gas and insurance are not included.
When planning your transportation budget, don’t forget parking costs at your hotel, which range between $30 to $50 per night. For more on hotel parking rates, see our post on Waikiki Parking in 2023: The Definitive Guide.
If you’re under the age of 25, you may be required to pay an extra surcharge per day. We cover this topic in our post, Rent a Car in Hawaii Under Age 25: What You Should Know (With 9 Examples).
How to get to Waikiki by shuttle
Prefer to relax in comfort and be driven to your hotel? Catch a convenient airport shuttle.
A few options include:
- Roberts Hawaii Express Shuttle
- To Waikiki: $21 per person including two pieces of standard luggage and one carry-on
- To Ko Olina: $63 per person
- SpeediShuttle
- To Waikiki: $17.60 per person
- To Ko Olina: $24.97 per person
Check your vendors’ websites for details on pick-up location.
How to get to Waikiki by ridesharing
Love using rideshare? Uber and Lyft both do pick-ups from Daniel K. Inouye International Airport. Rates can vary by time of day and size of vehicle: from the airport to Waikiki, rates can range from $24 to $60; from the airport to Ko Olina, from $55 to $100.
See the latest airport map for the designated rideshare pick-up locations.
How to get to Waikiki by taxi
Prefer to catch a taxi? Walk to the center median in front of the baggage claim areas. Request a ride with a dispatcher, who will be wearing a bright yellow shirt that reads “Taxi dispatcher”.
The typical rate for a taxi to Waikiki is $30 and closer to $80 to Ko Olina. Extra charges may apply for items such as golf clubs or surfboards.
There are limits for where taxi drivers can pick you up and how long they can wait. Inquire with the individual taxi companies for instructions on how to connect with a driver.
How to get to Waikiki by bus
Catching the local bus – quite simply named TheBus – is the least expensive option for getting to your hotel. You can ride the Route 19 or 20 bus to Waikiki for under $5 per person. Luggage is not allowed on board, however, so this option works best if you’re traveling minimally.
TheBus is otherwise a good way to get around to major attractions like Sea Life Park or the Polynesian Cultural Center if you aren’t in a rush. Check out DaBus app to learn more.
In Waikiki, we’re available at:
- 444 Ena Road
- 1833 Kalakaua Avenue
- Discovery Bay
- Hokulani Waikiki
- Hyatt Centric Waikiki Beach
- Ilikai Hotel & Luxury Suites
- Island Colony
- International Market Place
- Kalakaua Avenue
- Marina Parking Garage
- OHANA Waikiki East
- Park Shore Waikiki Hotel
- Regency on Beachwalk
- Sheraton Waikiki
- Waikiki Beachcomber
- Waikiki Vista
If you’re a planner, you can book up to a year in advance. If you prefer the freedom of no plans at all, you can also book a vehicle on the same day. (We do recommend planning ahead during peak travel times to ensure you have a car!)
The bottom line
If you’re wondering whether you need to rent a car from Honolulu International Airport, there are plenty of transportation options to get you to your hotel quickly and affordably. If you’re looking for a convenient and flexible way to get around the island, Hui is a great choice.
Disclaimer: Our goal is to help you make the most informed decision and bring you the most accurate information as of April 26, 2024. We will continuously be adding and updating to this post. While we thoroughly researched the topic, Hui Car Share cannot guarantee any prices as they can frequently change. When making your final decision, please confirm all details.