The only way into and out of Kauai is via plane. Michelle Mishina for Insider If you’re visiting Kauai, these are the best transportation options for getting around the island. The most affordable option is the Kauai public bus, but it’s more convenient to rent a car.
Visit Insider’s hub for travel guides, tips, and recommendations Kauai is part of the most secluded island chain, so depending on where you’re coming from, it can be quite a journey to get to this Hawaiian Island. As an Oahu local who visits Kauai frequently, I’d like to think I’d have the transportation situation down pat. At this point, certain things — like the path from Lihue Airport to the rental cars, or where and when Ubers are likely available — are second nature.
Luckily for you, I’m here to share my insight. Getting to KauaiExcept for cruising in, there’s pretty much only one way to get to Kauai: flying into Lihue Airport. Lihue AirportLihue Airport is located on the east side of the island.
Matthew Micah Wright/Getty ImagesMost visitors to Kauai fly into Lihue Airport. In Kauai’s capital, in the southeastern part of the island, Lihue Airport welcomes flights from 16 airports, seven airlines, and two countries. And since it’s right in the middle of Kauai’s two main roads — Kaumualii Highway and Kuhio Highway — it’s easy to get to any destination on the island from this airport.
From the airport, you can rent a car or use a ride-hailing service to get to your accommodations. Some hotels also offer a shuttle service from the airport. Getting around KauaiKauai isn’t as walkable as some tourists may think, so it’s best to rent a car to get around.
Michelle Mishina for InsiderMany first-time visitors to Hawaii picture each isle as a tiny, walkable patch of sand, and that’s just not the case. Given that Kauai is 552 square miles, walking won’t get you all that far. Here are the transportation options I’d recommend instead.
Rental carBy far the most effective way to get everywhere you’d like to go on Kauai — including the off-the-beaten-path gems — is to rent a car. Many national car-rental companies, including Enterprise, Avis, Alamo, and Hertz, have locations on Kauai. There are even a few local companies, like Island Rental Cars and Rent A Car Kauai.
That said, car-rental prices have gone up significantly in the COVID-19 pandemic. Odds are you’ll have to pay more than $100 a day for a rental car, especially for one from a national company. At one point, I saw visitors renting U-Hauls instead because they were more cost-effective.
While you may find some more affordable options by using local companies, their inventories can be limited. So be sure to work these higher prices into your travel budget. Ride-hailingUbers and Lyfts exist on Kauai, but they are few and far between.
Part of the reason is that it’s not all that worthwhile for locals to be drivers, especially with Hawaii’s cost of living. But also, there just aren’t that many people on Kauai. In 2020, the island had a population of just over 73,000 people.
Considering that there were about 133,500 visitors to Kauai this June alone, it’s unrealistic to have so many visitors relying on such a small local population for all of their transportation needs. That said, it’s not impossible to get an Uber or Lyft. Depending on the time of day, you can get a car in the main city of Lihue or at the Lihue Airport, but it can be tricky.
So don’t rely too much on ride-hailing services on Kauai. While you may be able to use them occasionally, they’re not a given. Public busThe Kauai Bus is the only public transportation on the island.
Short shuttle routes cost $0. 50 per ride, while longer routes cost $2 per ride. Depending on the length of your trip and your itinerary, you may want to invest in a daily or monthly pass for $5 or $50.
Buy these tickets or passes aboard any public bus, at a few local grocery stores, or at the Kauai bus office. Despite the limited number of routes, the bus covers nearly all the island’s main roads. So while you might not be able to take the bus to more nature-focused attractions like Waimea Canyon or the Kalalau Trail, you can take it to the adorable small town of Hanapepe and the luxurious Poipu hotels.
View Insider’s comprehensive guide to visiting Kauai, Hawaii. Read the original article on Insider.
From: insider
URL: https://www.insider.com/how-to-get-to-and-around-kauai-hawaii
