brittmae

My fiance and I will be spending our honeymoon in Oahu, in Leie at the house of some friends in July. We are both students and so $ is always an issue. I was interested in getting advice on:
1) if anyone has tried to fly to HNL on standby with any luck, using buddy passes (we would try it from SLC to HNL)
2) if we need to rent a car, and if we do, for how many days to be able to really explore ( especially considering the surchage we will have to pay for being under 25!)
3) any other tips for enjoying the island while under a budget!

I have read Dusty's extensive posting at http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...1&tid=34812564

which really helped, but I wanted to throw this out there for anyone who has some more experiences with budget/backpacking style of Oahu, especially if you are not staying in the city. Thank you!

dusty56438

Here are some more links for those on a budget:

On this one, you can download a free (pdf) Snap Guide of Honolulu:

http://www.budgettravelonline.com/bt...081901179.html

This has some budget ideas:

http://www.budgettravelonline.com/bt...aii/index.html

I really don't know how you could be in Laie without a car. There are no airport shuttles to Laie. So cabs to Laie & back to the airport would probably cost as much as renting a car for a week. Or are the friends also going to be there & able to pick you up at airport?

Here is a link to the car rentals at the airport & near the airport. Most have toll free numbers. Maybe you can find one without under 25 surcharge. 808 numbers are not toll free.

http://www.hawaii.gov/dot/airports/h...ound_trans.htm

You can also Google: backpacking oahu

The bus is an option for some things. $2 each trip or $20 for a 4 day pass.

http://www.thebus.org/pop/pop.asp

No luggage allowed on buses, but you can take carryons & certain backpacks:

http://www.thebus.org/CS/RulesReg.asp

You could take the bus from Laie to Waikiki & rent a car from there for a couple days. Spend some time in Waikiki before you pick up the car & on the day you return the car.

dusty56438

Here is a better list of car rentals. Surely you can find something within your budget:

You can call the companies listed here for rates. Some have toll free numbers:

On Airport Companies:
Avis Rent-A-Car
Airport
(808) 834-5536
1-888-897-8448 Toll free
Budget Rent-A-Car
Airport
(808) 836-1700
1-800-527-7000 Toll free

Dollar Rent-A-Car
Airport
(808) 831-2331
1-800-800-4000 Toll free

Hertz Rent-A-Car
Airport
(808) 831-3500
1-800-654-3131 Toll free

National Rent-A-Car
Airport
808) 831-3800
1-800-227-7368 Toll free

Off Airport Companies ( these have shuttles to locations near airport):

Alamo Rent-A-Car
Airport
(808) 833-4585
1-800-462-5266 Toll free

Enterprise Rent-A-Car
Airport
(808) 836-2213
1-800-325-8007 Toll free

JN Car & Truck Rentals (don't know if this one has a shuttle)
Airport
(808) 831-2724

Thrifty Rent-A-Car
Airport
(808) 831-2277
1-877-283-0898 Toll free
1-800-367-2277 Toll free

Tradewinds U-Drive
Airport
(808) 834-1465
1-888-388-7368 Toll free

The above are from:
http://www.hawaii.gov/dot/airports/h...ound_trans.htm

There are several other companies listed in the phone book that will rent to under 25. Most ads do not say if there is an extra charge for under 25.
Here are ones with ads that say no additional fees:

Tradewinds
Drivers under 25 no additional fees
www.tradewindsudrive.com
e-mail: [email protected]

Cheap Rent A car
21 & older - No underage fee
e-mail: [email protected]

Here are others that will rent to under 25. Ads don't say anything about fees:

V.I.P
Under 21 O.K.
www.vipcarrentalhawaii.com

Alamo
Rentals available to qualified drivers age 21 & older
1-877-603-0615
808-947-6112 Waikiki-Ilikai Hotel
808-833-4585 Honolulu Airport

Adventure on 2 Wheel
Jeeps, compact cars, mopeds
Age 18 & up okay
(808) 921-8111 Lemon Rd. Waikiki (not toll free)
(808) 944-3131 Ala Moana (not toll free)

Others with 800 numbers that you can try. These are out of phone book. Most have multiple locations on Oahu:

AA Aloha Cars-R-Us
1-800-655-7989
www.hawaiicarrental.com

Avis
1-800-831-2847

National
1-888-868-6207

Enterprise
1-800-736-8222

Dollar
1-800-800-4000

Budget
1-800-527-0700

Thrifty
1-800-847-4389

Hertz
1-800-654-3011
1-800-704-4473

vivi

Best time for buddy pass flyingto Hawaii is November and January. (Two weeks ago our plane was only about 1/3 full on a Tuesday.) If you are going to try in July think about flying on light travel days such as Tues, Wed, and sometimes Saturday.

I am a Delta pass rider and I have never been bumped. But buddy pass flying is more dificult so you have to be flexible! Have the person who sets you up with the pass start checking the flight loads several weeks before your trip, you may have to make adjustments to your travel plans.

brittmae

Thank you so much! I really appreciate it. Best luck with all of your travels!