A Comprehensive Guide For 2023-2024
Renting a car is a MUST on Maui. The island is home to countless natural wonders, from the black sands at Waianapanapa State Park to Haleakala’s otherworldly volcanic crater. But unless you plan on spending most of your vacation crammed into a tour bus, you will need a rental car to explore the island’s best sights.
But where to begin? What car do you pick? What is a fair price?
As a discount car rental provider, we’ve got the inside scoop on everything you need to know about renting a car in Maui, from finding the best deals to the ins and outs of driving. Ready to hit the road? Here is a comprehensive guide for renting a car in Maui for 2023.
Picking The Right Maui Rental Car For You
So, what type of Maui rental car should you get?
Some Maui visitors are tempted to splurge on a 4×4 Jeep or Mustang convertible rental. But the truth is, neither is necessary. And in some cases, they’re impractical.
Jeeps and convertibles are the most popular rental cars in Maui, so they’re often in high demand and costly. Convertibles can be fun until a rain squall hits, and you’re scrambling to put the top up on the side of the road.
What’s more, 4×4 and high clearance are not required on 99 percent of Maui’s roads— even the road to Hana, which is well-maintained from Paia to Haleakala National Park at Kipahulu. Sedans and SUVs do just fine on Maui.
Instead, it’s extremely helpful if you pick a Maui rental car similar in size to what you drive back home. This way, you’ll be comfortable on the roads, parking, and navigating the twists and turns on the road to Hana. However, a minivan or larger SUV can come in handy if you’re traveling with your family, so you don’t have to split your ohana up.
Comparing Pick-Up Locations
There are Maui car rental facilities at the airport as well as in major towns like Kihei, Kahului, and Kaanapali.
Most visitors rent a car from a major car rental company like Alamo or Thrifty, which are housed in a gleaming new Conrac facility at Kahului Airport. While this can be a convenient route, the lines at the rental car facility can get agonizingly long, especially in high season. Some visitors have reported waiting in line for their car rental for four hours.
Alternatively, you can often find discount Maui car rentals off airport grounds. This can be another good option, but then you have to negotiate the logistics of getting a shuttle or taxi to and from the car rental facility.
At Ali’i Resorts, we believe your vacation should be a blissful breeze from start to finish. That’s why our partnership with Wiki Wiki Maui car rental service is designed to make your Maui vacation hassle-free from the moment you arrive. When you rent with us, you’ll be picked up curbside outside baggage claim. No waiting in line, and you can get your adventure started within minutes of landing on Maui.
Where To Find The Best Deals
Maui has a few local budget car rental companies. As we mentioned above, these are usually located off airport grounds. These can be great for visitors on a budget, but the cars are usually outdated.
If you’re renting a newer, well-maintained car on Maui, you can expect to pay between $60-$100 per day, with a little fluctuation during the high season.
Wiki Wiki Maui offers competitive car rental rates at a great value. You can easily book online or reach out to us, and we can offer you a custom, hard-to-beat rate.
The Ins And Outs Of Turo On Maui
Turo— a peer-to-peer car rental company— has really taken off on Maui, especially following the cataclysmic Maui car rental shortage in 2021 after the covid-19 shutdown.
Turo has its pros and cons. One plus is that visitors can rent more unique vehicles, like Slingshots, Teslas, and Hawaii’s ubiquitous Toyota Tacomas. Turos are often picked up at or near the airport, eliminating the need to stand in line at the rental car counter.
But last-minute cancellations are always a risk with Turo, and insurance and liability policies are usually murky.
Some Turos also have mileage limits. When you rent with Wiki Wiki Maui, you can trust that your car will have unlimited exploring potential.
Parking
Some visitors fail to account for resort parking fees, which can be upwards of $30 per day, depending on where you’re staying. Don’t forget to budget for parking fees!
Or, better yet, pick an accommodation that offers free parking. All of Ali’i Resorts’ properties offer free parking for one car per condo.
Maui Rules Of The Road
Maui has the same rules of the road as most of the United States, but there are a few quirks here and there. Here are some things you should know about driving on Maui:
- You’ll notice Maui has a minimum speed limit in some places. This prevents drivers from slowing down to look at ocean views or whales breaching offshore.
- The ‘right turn on red’ rule applies on Maui unless posted otherwise.
- Speed limits vary from around 20 mph to 45 mph. The highest speed limit on Maui is 55 mph.
- Extreme weather or road work can shut roads down from time to time. You can check Maui road closures on the Department of Transportation website.
- Driving with your cell phone in hand is illegal in Hawaii.
- On the Road to Hana, pulling over for faster-moving traffic is a common courtesy.
Car Break-Ins
Smash-and-grabs happen from time to time on Maui, especially in rural areas. When you park your vehicle, avoid leaving any valuables in the car or in plain sight. Thieves often look for something of value (or something that appears valuable) that they can easily reach and quickly run off with. Be smart, be discreet, and you’ll be totally fine.
