Car Rental in Kahului

Question

I posted this recently & was advised to re-post more specifically in the Maui forum:

Looking for advice! Cruising into Kahului next April. Want to rent a car & "do our own thing" beach-hopping rather than an organised excursion from the cruise ship.

As we will be there on a Saturday, the Enterprise (our usual "rental of choice") rental office that is within walking distance of the ship will, apparently, be closed so we will need to get to & from the airport rental places - too far to walk!

Does anyone know: A) do any of the Kahului airport rental outfits offer a shuttle between the cruise dock & the airport? B) if there aren't any shuttles, how accessible to the cruise port are taxis?

Thank you to those who have responded so far!

Answer

It’s great that you’re planning to explore Maui on your own! Since you’ll be cruising into Kahului and looking for car rental options while dealing with the challenge of a Saturday rental, here are some details that should help with your planning:

A) Shuttle Services between the Cruise Dock and Kahului Airport:

Unfortunately, most rental car companies at the Kahului Airport (OGG) do not offer direct shuttle services from the cruise port to their rental locations. However, you might want to double-check directly with the rental agencies as policies and services may change. It’s not common for cruise lines to provide shuttles to rental car locations, so the most likely option will be taxis or using a ride-sharing service like Uber or Lyft.

B) Taxi Accessibility from the Cruise Port:

The good news is that taxis are fairly accessible around the Kahului area. There is a designated taxi stand at the cruise terminal, and it’s a short ride to the airport where all the rental car companies are located. The fare should typically be around $15–$20 each way, depending on traffic and time of day. Since you’re arriving on a Saturday, the area should have a reasonable number of taxis available for passengers, but you may want to plan some extra time just in case.

Other Options:

Ride-Sharing (Uber/Lyft): Both Uber and Lyft operate in Maui, including around the cruise port area. They can be a convenient and potentially cheaper alternative to taxis. A ride-share to the airport from the cruise dock would likely cost around $12–$18 depending on demand and time of day.
Shuttle Services from the Cruise Line: Some cruise lines may offer shuttle services to rental car locations or nearby hotels. It’s worth checking with your cruise line to see if they offer any sort of transportation to and from the airport for their passengers.
Enterprise Rental at the Airport: Although the Enterprise location by the cruise dock is closed on Saturdays, you can still rent from the Kahului Airport. It’s about a 10-minute taxi ride away, and they offer a wide selection of vehicles for your beach-hopping adventures!

In Summary:

Check with your rental car agency (Enterprise, etc.) for shuttle options or any special arrangements they may offer to cruise passengers.
Expect to take a taxi or ride-sharing service (Uber/Lyft) from the cruise dock to the Kahului Airport rental car locations.
Taxi fares should be approximately $15–$20 each way, while Uber/Lyft may be slightly cheaper.

I hope this helps you have a smooth experience picking up your car rental and enjoying your time on Maui! Happy beach-hopping!