Maui and Kauai - Do I need a car?
Jun 11th, 2009, 05:09 AM
#1
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Maui and Kauai - Do I need a car?
Hi Everyone - Do I need to rent a car in both of these islands? I will be spending 4-5 days on each and trying to figure out if I need a car. Also, any one know the cheapest rental company? Trying to figure out if i should do it here or wait until i get there. We are staying at the Hyatt in Kauai and the 4Seasons in Maui. Thank you!
Jun 11th, 2009, 05:27 AM
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You will definitely need a car. There is no other way to get around these islands. I highly recommend reservations in advance. You can compare rates on Expedia.com and then call the company directly that has the best rate. The rental car companies give discounts for AAA, AARP, or other special memberships you may have.
Jun 11th, 2009, 05:39 AM
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If you aren't sure about how many days you'll want a car (not 'need' a car), check with your hotels - they will certainly have onsite rental agencies and while it may not as cheap as ugly duckling rental, you could just get a car for the time you really need it. the four seasons on maui is quite a ways down the coast so if you want to go into kailua or lahina, you'll need a car; if you want to drive to hana, you'll need a car.
Jun 11th, 2009, 07:42 AM
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Agree. We also stayed at the FS on Maui and as noted it's a little off the beaten track (an advantage IMO) so we were glad to have the car. Same for Kauai - it really helps if you want some flexibility and act on those spur-of-the-moment impulses, or maybe some not so spur-of-the-moment ones.
Jun 11th, 2009, 08:09 AM
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ksucat 
Agree with everyone, you'll need a car if you want to do anything other than visit the pool and beach at your hotels. To get up to Waimea Canyon or Hanalei, or Hana or Lahaina, to get to dinner other than on-site, there's really no other way. We got our cars last two trips through Hotwire. It was Alamo on Oahu and I wouldn't use them again (checkin was awful and car was not great), and Avis on Kauai and Maui and they were fine (although they all rent PT Cruisers, which I hate -- hopefully they'll disappear along with Chrysler, but that's for the Lounge LOL!)
Agree with everyone, you'll need a car if you want to do anything other than visit the pool and beach at your hotels. To get up to Waimea Canyon or Hanalei, or Hana or Lahaina, to get to dinner other than on-site, there's really no other way. We got our cars last two trips through Hotwire. It was Alamo on Oahu and I wouldn't use them again (checkin was awful and car was not great), and Avis on Kauai and Maui and they were fine (although they all rent PT Cruisers, which I hate -- hopefully they'll disappear along with Chrysler, but that's for the Lounge LOL!)
Jun 11th, 2009, 08:24 AM
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Yes you will need a car - so far the best rates I have gotten over the years is through Costco using Alamo. One word of advice is to book it and keep checking - rates fluctuate up and down, when you see it is down, update to the lower rate - I have changed my car rental up to 5 times before my trip.
Jun 11th, 2009, 08:36 AM
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Thanks everyone!!! yes i realize its funny to ask for the cheapest rental company and we are staying at the 4seasons and hyatt...ya gotta save somewhere!!! we like splurging on hotels but the rest we will have to keep in budget so that we can actually afford our hotel bills
Thank you!!! This website is extremely helpful - much appreciated.
Thank you!!! This website is extremely helpful - much appreciated.
