Renting a Car on Oahu

Besides gaining a lot of independence, a rental car in Honolulu has the potential to save you money on the prices you pay tour guides to visit the various attractions and activities throughout Oahu. It also avoids the hassle of using public transportation. Activity vendors and tour guides typically charge higher prices than what you get if you book directly with the attractions. Their rates cover the actual ticket cost as well as transportation costs.

While it is nice for some travelers to relax and have someone else transport them back and fort to their destinations, others others do not want to be bound to the schedule of tour guides and other vacationers. With your own rental car you will be able to enjoy more freedom and flexibility. If you have a rental car every point on the island is yours for the taking with very little restrictions as to where you can go and how long you can stay. Just keep the tank full don’t get lost, and feel free to discover your special spots in Hawaii.

The island is relatively small and the routes are a lot easier to figure out than they appear. Keep in mind that there are only 3 major road systems running through the island and most travels out of Waikiki usually involve one of these. You should always try to get Oahu maps and driving directions to the attraction sites before you venture out of you hotel. See our Maps and Driving Directions Section

Parking in Waikiki

If you rent a car on your Oahu vacation you should consider parking. It can be very expensive to park in the Waikiki, Honolulu areas. If you are staying at a conventional Hotel, parking can cost as much as $20 to $30 a day (not including the tip for the attendants every time you use the car). Don`t pay more for parking per day than you pay for the price of renting the car per day. High parking prices can be avoided if you do your research. There are public parking garages that offer very reasonable rates. An example: ResortQuest Waikiki Banyan Hotel (corner of 201 Ohua Ave and Kuhio Ave) offers parking to the public at $8 a day or $52 a week. Most other hotels that offer similar discount rates will do so only if you are staying in their hotel. This hotel is a just a block away from Waikiki Beach.

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