Where Should I Get My Rental Car on Maui?

If your goal is to save money while getting a non-specialty car (see: one meant for off-roading, or one of those Slingshot vehicles) then this is the post for you.

• Skip Costco and Discount Hawaii Car Rental. They are often too pricey.

• Do Kihei Rent A Car, which is one of the most affordable, reliable rental services on the island. They even offer complimentary shuttle service from the airport if you rent for 5 days or more. Also, booster seats for kids are free, but you must reserve them.

• Use Turo, a car sharing marketplace, offers a wide-range of vehicles often for affordable prices. The quality can also range widely, but that’s not a problem if you know what to look for: examine photos and check the reviews. Turo hosts are not allowed by Hawaii law to conduct business at the airport (see: offer pick up and drop off guests), but some do at considerable risk. Usually, though, you can take an Uber or Lyft to your pick up site a few minutes from the airport, which is relatively painless.

• Book a rental car from the typical places like Budget, Avis, Sixt, National, etc. who are located at the airport. But here’s a BIG tip: book a refundable rate and then check the price closer to the date of travel. Often, you may find supply exceeds demand and the rates are hundreds of dollars cheaper and you can cancel and rebook the cheaper rate. Meanwhile, if the price stays the same or gets more expensive, you already have the cheaper reservation and a guaranteed vehicle for you. If you do rent from the airport, I recommend one of you deplane and immediately go to your rental while the other person(s) in your party retrieves the luggage. Then, the person getting the car can pick up luggage and party at the curb.

And as always, check the review of the company from which you are going to rent your car. Customer service, in my opinion, is worth it for a trip you’ve likely spent a lot of money and time on, and you don’t wanna be left stuck with a bad experience.