Do You Need a Rental Car on Maui? (2024)

Do you need a rental car on Maui? In most cases, yes. But there are a few exceptions. I’m a Maui-based travel planner, and my family and I have taken just about every mode of transportation possible. I created this guide to help you decide!

Maui is the second-largest Hawaiian island. Its landscape is diverse, with five distinct regions to see and explore. Before determining if you’ll need a car, it’s best to understand where you’ll want to spend your time. My Ultimate Guide to Maui can help.

Maui is also home to some of the best beaches and the most famous road in Hawaii, The Road to Hana.

Do You Need a Rental Car on Maui?

Yes, I typically think Maui is best explored with the freedom a vehicle provides. But do you REALLY need to rent a car? Everyone’s vacation will look different, and like most things in life, it depends!

Renting a car is worth it if you want to explore the island in any capacity. This is especially true if you are staying for a week or less. Maui may be a small island, but there’s a long list of bucket-list things to do and see here! Waiting for rides can be expensive and eat up precious vacation time. In addition, there are parts of the island where you may not have cell service or where ride-sharing may not exist.

A rental car typically pays for itself if you plan to visit three or more places while you’re here.

Check current prices at Discount Hawaii Car Rental.

When You Don’t Need a Rental Car on Maui

Maui has the best resorts, so if you plan to hang out by the infinity pool all day, you probably don’t need a car! Most resorts on Maui make you pay a hefty parking fee ($40-50/day on average) for a vehicle you don’t plan to use. 

Staying in popular resort areas, like Kaanapali or Wailea, will allow you to easily walk to food and entertainment.

If you want to spend most of your time at the resort with a few day trips sprinkled in (like sunrise on Haleakala’s Summit), some tours will provide transportation to and from your hotel.

How Much Does It Cost to Rent a Car on Maui? 

The average cost of a rental car on Maui is around $70/day. However, that can double during peak holiday season, so be sure to book far out in advance and with a reliable company that will do your research for you.

We travel inter-island a lot, and Discount Hawaii Car Rental is my favorite company to book a car with. We like them because they offer reasonable rates, no prepayment, and zero cancellation fees. They also allow an extra driver for free!

How Do I Get From the Airport to My Hotel Without a Car?

If you don’t plan to rent a car on Maui, you can easily book an airport transfer to your hotel. Ride-sharing services like Uber, Lyft, or locally owned Holoholo are also available.

Most airlines allow car seats to be checked for free. A car seat bag with backpack straps can make traveling to and from your destination much easier.

Is There Public Transportation on Maui?

Yes. While public transportation on Maui is somewhat lacking compared to what you may be used to, some public transportation is available.

My son, Wilder, and I spent a day on the Maui bus recently, and he thought it was the biggest adventure of his life. (This kid’s entire life is an adventure, and I’m pretty sure he considered taking the bus way cooler than seeing daily rainbows or attending school on the side of a volcano.)

“Island time” is a real thing here, but I was surprised at how timely the bus arrived. The entire experience was prompt, clean, and comfortable. Of course, it still took us 35 minutes to reach a destination that would only take 5-10 minutes in a car.

A one-way bus ticket is $2. Daily and monthly passes are available. Kids 5 and under travel for free. You must have exact cash to deposit into the box. 

If you plan to take the bus to another part of the island, expect to make numerous transfers, most of them in and out of Kahului. There are no transfer tickets available. 

The Maui bus system has 14 routes and runs 7 days a week, including holidays. 

Tip: If you stay on Maui’s West Side, check current routes and times for the Kaanapali Trolley and the Lahaina Cannery Mall Shuttle.

Is It Easy to Drive Around Maui? 

Yes. While Maui is well known for its jaw-dropping mountains and valleys, the roads are easy to navigate. The only exception to this is the road to Hana. 

Maui is called the Valley Isle because of the mountains that bookend the east and west sides. It’s possible to guess where you are on the island just by noticing if you’re looking at the West Maui mountains or Haleakala, the largest dormant volcano in the world. 

People may drive slower than what you are used to. Many bumper stickers read, “Slow your roll, this ‘ain’t the Mainland!” Try to abide by island time and take your time.

Don’t be surprised if a shaka gets thrown your way to signal you are being let into traffic. Kindness on the road can feel suspicious when you’re used to driving in a city! It took me a long time to shake off my San Francisco “every woman for herself” mentality.

Budget-Friendly Tips For Renting a Car on Maui

•To save money, book with reliable car rental sites like Discount Hawaii Car Rental.

•Most resorts charge a nightly parking fee. However, places like the Fairmont Kea Lani in Wailea allow you to self-park for free (vs. $40/night to valet). Hotels don’t always disclose this information immediately, so research beforehand.

•Costco is only a mile and a half from Kahului airport, and gas is almost a dollar cheaper there than elsewhere on the island!

Vacay Your Own Way

While I don’t think renting a car on Maui is 100% necessary, I typically recommend doing so, especially with kids in tow. You never know when you might want to try a new restaurant, hit up a grocery store, or discover one of Maui’s best beaches.

Wherever the paved path or dirt road leads you, you’ll be on island time, and that’s a wonderful place to be.

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