Should You Rent a Car in Hawaii? | Plus, the 7 Most Asked Car Rental Questions

Do you need a rental car in Hawaii? Will my car be burglarized? Is it safe to drive in Hawaii? Here is everything you need to know about renting a car in Hawaii. Plus how to drive with Aloha.

Our family has lived on Oahu and Maui and we know travel back frequently to explore the islands. Here are the most asked questions we get from viewers, newsletter readers, and emails on renting a car in Hawaii.

Stay till the end for tips on driving with Aloha and unique vehicle rental options.

Discount Car Rental Hawaii: see our website for our favorite discount rental site (no prepayment) and local car rental companies.

Discount Hawaii Car Rental: we have saved thousands with renting from them and not paying a pre-payment

Hawaiian Island Itineraries! Our best things to do in perfectly planned out days

Tours and Activities: Here are our recommended and vetted tours on all the islands:

Rent a Jeep: Big Island Jeep Rental

Hawaii Vacation Guide Newsletter - bi-weekly for travel tips, discounts, facts, and more!

Discount Codes for Popular Tours (mainly Maui):

FREE Hawaii Cheat Sheets for each Hawaiian Island:

Hawaii Car Rental Questions
00:00 Intro
00:24 Do You Need a Rental Car
02:15 When Should You Book a Rental Car
03:10 Local Car Rental Companies
04:26 Unexpected Rental Car Fees
05:11 Do You Need a Jeep
06:28 Are Car Break-ins Common?
07:19 Are Gas Prices High?
07:59 How to Drive with Aloha
09:16 Unique Rental Options

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#hawaii #Maui #honolulu

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[TheHawaiiVacationGuide]

We hope this video helps with your Hawai'i vacation! See the description for links to all the items we mentioned. Head here for local and discount car rentals:

[billhobartclairvoyantmedium]

SLOW DOWN ! “You ain’t on the Mainland brah!” Best comment EVER! by Jordan ! 🤣🤣🤣

[wnmech]

To us renting a vehicle is a must it gives us the freedom to come and go as we please. To us when we make our annual trips to the islands it’s a vacation so I don’t mind renting vehicles.

[vancguy]

I had a great experience renting a car there. Need up needing a van and they made it happen! Awesome service. Awesome time!

[leahnaomi]

You guys are so great! Just love your vibe! We live on Maui but don’t have kids, so whenever we have friends with kids visiting we always recommend your channel. Mahalo for the thoughtful content!

[alexwang]

Just came back from MAUI, amazing place and definitely will go back again. Hopefully one day we can be there permanently like you lucky guys! The Molokini snorkeling was epic. Next time we will try the back wall.

[estefaniarivera]

Just got your Kauai guide! Thank you. Been watching your videos for years! First time visiting Kauai next week <3

[Tahunanews]

Great advice as always. Be careful of national rental car companies (thrifty Kona airport) trying to use the threat of arrest by the police if you don’t buy their 11:03 additional insurance. They were only telling international tourists this and a few of us fell for it. The rental company that they mention were good and explained it was unnecessary in terms of the police but was able to get a refund from Thrifty corporate in the end but a stress I didn’t need.

[derbagger]

EXCEPTION: If you want to stargaze or see the sunset on Mauna Kea, you must have a 4X4. I think it's being overly cautious as we have Mt Washington Auto Road in NH thats just as extreme, but the rangers will not only make sure you have a 4X4 or AWD with low gear ability, they'll pepper you with questions to make sure you know what you're doing. If I'm on the Big Island, I'm always getting a Jeep...

[BillHaynal]

I rented from Kihei Rent A Car after seeing them on your other car rental video. Thanks for helping me save some $$!

[mackenzichristensen]

Can you share more about baggage storage locations? 7:18
We have a red eye flight scheduled for our trip and that sounds super helpful to know more about! (Already bought your guide and am so excited to do the excursion days!!! Thank you for doing that and all the content you create!)

[Tylerbolen]

🏃‍♂ running to the vid after getting the notification

[josettereto]

One thing to remember if flying into Hilo. The rental car companies close at 9pm. If your flight lands after that you won’t be able to pick up your rental 😡

[sgregg]

Another thing that freaks people out is the the fact that there are roads in the Islands that are super sketchy and really not good for tourists used to two lane roads. The northwest shore of Maui and the south east shore, have roads that are barely maintained, single lane, on very steep terrain, have few turn outs, no gas, and limited cell service. I have driven both but you need to really be prepared if you are on a road blasted out of a cliff, that is one lane, has a shear drop to the sea, and you have an RV headed in the opposite direction. My advice to tourists is avoid these roads, and roads like them. There is so much to do on the islands without having to deal with miles of crappy road.

[alohabirdie]

As of April 1, 2023, I heard the Maui airport isn't allowing Turo to park cars in their lot anymore due to an increase in these cars getting stolen and being driven through the fence to take the car. Apparently the lock boxes on the cars where the keys are kept stick out like a sore thumb which lure thieves, and it's not difficult for them to get into the boxes. Turo and the airport are working together to figure out a solution for parking.

[Musicofjonesey]

Almost to 100k subs!🎉
I’ve had really great experiences with Turo which is like an auto AirB&B and way better selection. Checked with insurance and completely covered. We got a 2022 Ford Bronco and they’ll be meeting us at the airport this Thursday!
Thank y’all so much for your itineraries. We’re flying into Oahu for 3 days to do pear Harbor and more then flying over to Maui for 7 more. We’re also doing the sunrise snorkel. Thanks again! The absolute best Hawaii channel!

[saDetailer]

We are traveling to Oahu next week for 7 days, 4/12-4/19. We reserved and renting thru Southwest Airlines. The price for renting a Jeep Wrangler for 7 days is exactly $685.83 total. The cheapest Jeep rental thru Discount Hawaii Rental is $712 and goes up from there depending on which company you choose. Stick to Thru Airline Booking.

[judyfalcone]

Love the information been watching you kids for years. I have to ask is Hattie still with us?

[austinmuth]

We stayed in Kaanapali Beach and rented a car our entire 8 night stay. Definitely not worth it. You could cherry pick a day or two where you can rent one and drive around, but even so, most of the water activities, surfing etc. are a $10 Uber/Lyft away. You have to pay for parking, gas, etc. which really adds up. Unless you are SPECIFICALLY going somewhere that requires you to drive a car yourself, don't bother!

[missmilimakk]

As always, great tips! Do you think it's worth it to pre-pay for the gas or fill up yourself? Which is more cost effective? Also, did you relocate to the mainland?