tbbeach

We will be in Waikiki for 5 days but want to take day trips around Oahu. How many days should we rent a car? suggested day trip itinerary?

simpsonc510

Well, we always have a car the entire time in Oahu, but it is not really necessary at all. There is public transportation in and around Honolulu, and there are tours that will take you to the top tourist attractions. But, that said, I would think you would for sure want a car for one full day, maybe two, just so you could drive around the island on your own and see some other parts of Oahu.

Start from Waikiki and go east towards Diamondhead, then north of the eastern side (gorgeous places to stop and say aaaaahhhh), then on around to the north shore where you will want to stop for shrimp at one of the 'truck' restaurants. Stop by the little town (Hale'iwa) for a look around, and a shave ice. On the drive back into HNL you will pass Dole Plantation.. I've never stopped, but you might want to. There are a number of places to stop along the entire route, so a whole day is good. We stopped for dessert once at Turtle Bay resort.

Another drive(s) with gorgeous viewing is up past Punch Bowl Cemetary... name or the road escapes me. Tauntalus maybe? Two lane road, very little traffic, feels like rain forest drive, great lookout spots... looking down on HNL.

And then there is the road from HNL over to the east shore, over Pali lookout area, route 61 I think, is a real 'aaaaahhhhh' when you get to the Kailua side. Drive back to HNL by way of the H3 for yet another 'aaaahhhhh' view.

I look forward to getting back to Oahu this September just from writing about the place! Enjoy your trip.
Carol

dusty56438

Rent a car the entire time.

by the time you pay for airport transportation, buses, cabs & renting a car for a couple of days, you won't save any $$ by not renting a car.

Plus you will waste a lot of time taking public transportation.

Lots of info:

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...trip-to-hi.cfm

tbbeach

We do have free parking at our condo, so I think we will rent a car for the entire time. Anyone know of an independent car rental company with good prices?

ksucat

since you have free parking at the condo, then get it for the entire time.
the bus/transit system is one of the best.
I've used expedia.com or hotwire.com for car rentals on the islands and have gotten some pretty good deals..($13 a day for a mid-size)

suze

If you have free parking, and with such a short trip, absolutely keep the car the entire time. There's lots of intineraries for a "circle tour". Oahu is not all that big of an island.

needsun

I do not know when you are going to be there, but if it's in July then I doubt that you will be able to find good deals on rental cars. I have been searching myself and the best price for one day economy that I could find was around $30 something a day on hotwire. With taxes it runs up to around $40. They seems to have very limited inventory now.