6 Top Things to Know Before Renting a Car on Maui Hawaii

How do you imagine your time in Maui? Is it cruising the twists and turns on the Road to Hana? How about exploring remote beaches and unique swimming spots? Well, if you plan to do more than relax at a resort (nothing wrong with that!) then you’ll be looking for a Maui rental car. From cheap rides and luxury cars to tips on making the most of your visit, here’s everything you need to know about renting a car in Maui Hawaii! 

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Maui Travel Inspiration 

• Maui Itinerary: How to Experience The Best of Maui in 5 Days!
• Planning a Trip to Maui: 10 Step Easy to Follow Travel Guide
• 11 Best Hikes in Maui and Leisurely Coastal Walking Trails
• 25 Fun Things to do in Maui Hawaii for Every Type of Traveler
• 10 Road to Hana Tips to Know Before Taking Maui’s Most Famous Drive

6 Tips For Renting a Car on Maui Hawaii

1. Finding the Best Maui Rental Car

There are a few important things to know about renting a car in Maui Hawaii. A Maui rental car can be expensive especially if traveling in peak months. Make sure to budget for your car when you first start planning a trip to the island!

So what can you expect to pay for a rental car on Maui? Somehow we lucked out and booked a cheap Maui rental car. We ended up paying $550 for two weeks which is a CRAZY deal. Literally, everyone couldn’t believe the price we got when we told them. Still, you should know that isn’t the normal price for a Maui rental car.

We actually visited right after the summer rush and before the holiday season. With all taxes and fees, cars typically range from $50 to $100 a day, but can easily climb higher.

We found our Maui car deal using Discover Cars which is what we typically use when traveling. If anything it’s a great place to get an idea of what rental companies are in the area and the basic price. 

2. Confirm Parking at Your Accommodation 

Before renting a car on Maui for the duration of your trip it’s best to double-check your parking situation. You may even want to confirm cars aren’t sold out on the island before picking your hotel!

Many of the larger hotels in Maui charge a daily parking rate with another fee for valet parking. If you plan to stay at an Airbnb or rental unit ask if there is private or street parking available.

3. Arriving at Kahului Airport

When you land at Kahului Airport getting to the Maui Car Rental Center couldn’t be easier. Choose the airport location pickup when booking your car. If you don’t you’ll have to take a transfer to a branch on a different part of the island!

Leaving baggage claim, walk directly across the road to the small tram which will take you to the Maui car rental center. All of the companies are in the same building so from there the process is pretty straightforward. Honestly, getting a car from the Kahului Airport in Maui was one of the easiest airport rentals we’ve done! 

If you haven’t booked your flight yet make sure to check directly on Hawaiian Airlines! We were able to get amazing last-minute flights for just over $100 one way from California! Also, it’s always better to book directly with the airline when traveling! 

→ Hawaiian Airlines Review: Is it the Best Airline to Fly to Hawaii?

4. Renting a Car in Maui Hawaii Through Your Hotel

Don’t need or want a car for your whole time in Maui? You can often rent them directly from your hotel or local town branch. Many hotels have arrangements with certain companies so you can rent a car on Maui for just a day or two to explore.

The benefit of this is having the car delivered right to your hotel! This totally depends on what type of vacation you plan to have. For those who want a more relaxed vacation day trips may make more sense. This way you’d save yourself some money as opposed to renting a car on Maui for the entire stay.

→ Maui Itinerary: How to Experience The Best of Maui in 5 Days!

5. Maui Rental Car Damage Check

Before you take off in your Maui Hawaii rental car it’s important to check for damage. Take photos of any bumps and dents on the car, or even film a video walking around it. At these big airport garages, no one physically walks around the car with you before you leave.

Many car rental companies take good care to examine the vehicles and any damage prior to the customer’s arrival. Still, it’s best to protect yourself as much as possible to avoid a hefty bill in the end. 

Maui Rental Car Tip: We love having a credit card that covers cars on up to a two-week rental so we don’t need to buy additional insurance. Every credit card is different so make sure to check your own policy!  

6. Rules of the Road in Maui

Cars: Like everywhere else in the United States, you drive on the right side of the road in your Maui rental car. 

Speed: The speed limits are lower than normal around the island and even on the main highway. In fact, the highest speed limit we saw was only 55 MPH on Maui. Really there is no need to rush anyway… You’re on vacation after all!

Car vs Motorbike: Since it’s an island you may want a motorbike for the day to explore your area. However, for anything longer than a day or two we recommend getting a cheap Maui rental car. There is so much to see and many of the best places are spread out. 

Jeeps & Convertibles: The most popular cars rented by tourists in Hawaii are Jeeps & Convertibles. These models are always in high demand so book them as far in advance as possible. 

Dirt Roads: Many of the beach pull-offs are dirt roads or loose gravel. Just something to be aware of when driving your Maui Hawaii rental car!

Parking: Parking is easy and often free around Maui. The only time we paid to park our rental car was at the National and State Parks. It cost $30 for a three-day pass that is good for all the National Parks on the island. Alternatively, the State Park is $10 parking pass that you can pay onsite. 

Have any questions about renting a car on Maui Hawaii or want to share your own experience on the island roads? Leave us a comment below! 

Safe Travels,
Brigitte & Jake

 Where in the world are we? Follow our daily adventures on Instagram @nothingfamiliar! 

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Where to Stay in Maui Hawaii

For a complete look at the island check out Where to Stay in Maui: 4 Top Areas With Hotel Picks

Ultra Luxury – Four Seasons Resort Maui – Wailea – Known as one of the most elite hotels on Maui, the Four Seasons has three swimming pools, 5-star service, and is just steps from the beach. 

Fun Vacation – Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort – Wailea – This modern, upscale hotel is packed with swimming pools and ocean views. 

Bed & Breakfast –Maui What a Wonderful World Bed & Breakfast – Wailea – Get all the local charm you can handle at this unique bed and breakfast. Awesome location that will provide a homey welcome to the island. 

Aparthotel – Napili Sunset Beach Front Resort – Lahaina – Great for travelers looking to have a little more space and a kitchen.

Hostel Life – Hakuna Matata Maui Hostel –  Lahaina – Walking distance to the town center, this hostel is set in a beautiful garden. Hakuna Matata also offers free bikes and is close to the beach.

Remote Resort – Hana Maui Resort A Destination by Hyatt – Hana – Located in the far remote part of the island along the road to Hana. Amazing resort by Hyatt offering seclusion and luxury. 

For more places to stay in Maui you can explore the latest prices here!

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Explore Maui

Best Of Maui: 20 Fun Facts – Best Beaches – Must Try Food – Farmers Markets – Road to Hana Stops 

Maui Hikes & Walk:  Kapalua Coastal Trail – Bamboo Forest – Waihee Ridge Trail – Wailea Beach Walk – Maui Lava Field 

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Hawaii Travel Planning 

 Packing Lists: Find all the inspiration you need with our Amazon packing lists. Including our electronics and camera gear, must-have medical items, and long flight essentials! 

 Flights: We always find our cheap flight deals using Skyscanner. That’s how we got our flight from San Diego to Maui for under $100 USD on Hawaiian Airlines!

 Accommodation: Compare multiple sites to get to the best deal such as Booking.com and Agoda! Also,  Hostelworld should be your go-to source if you’re traveling on a budget. 

 Rental Car: Hands down the best way to explore Maui Hawaii is with a rental car! We used Discover Cars to explore the island. Just make sure to book in advance because there are limited cars on the island in the high season! 

 Tours: Check out Get Your Guide to find hundreds of Maui activities. You can book a sunset sail from Lahaina, Road to Hana full day tour, or go wild and take a rainforest helicopter tour! 

 Travel Insurance: Never travel abroad (if you’re traveling to Hawaii from outside the USA) without protection. We’ve been using SafetyWing for the last few years on the road and they are there when we need them.

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