Taxi/ Lyft avaibility at airport after 11pm

Question

Our flights are booked! If the flight is on time, we will be arriving into Lihue airport at around 10:30 pm ( which is 2:30 am our time) in January. The vacation rental is not available the first night so we will stay at a hotel near the airport, probably Kauai Palms ( open to others if you have a suggestion). We plan on getting our rental vehicle the next day so my question is, are taxis readily available at the airport after 11pm? Can they be pre-booked? About what would we expect to pay, just curious on price. Is Lyft an option? The reason we won't get a rental vehicle upon arriving is the Turo shuttle is not available after 11pm and we don't want the hassle of trying to find another way to get to their parking lot as we will be super tired. Thanks!

Answer

Arriving at Lihue Airport around 10:30 pm in January is late, but you should be able to arrange transportation to your nearby hotel without too much trouble. Here’s what you need to know:

Taxis: Taxis do operate out of Lihue Airport, but availability can be limited late at night. It’s highly recommended to pre-book a taxi for arrivals after 11 pm to ensure you have a ride waiting. Many local taxi services accept reservations by phone or online.

Lyft / Rideshare: Lyft and Uber both operate on Kauai, including at Lihue Airport. Rideshare availability late at night is generally reasonable, but wait times may be longer than during the day. It's a good idea to request your ride as soon as you exit baggage claim. Note that during late night hours, surge pricing can sometimes apply, slightly increasing the fare.

Expected cost: Depending on your hotel, here are rough estimates:

Kauai Palms Hotel: approximately $15–$20 via taxi or rideshare from Lihue Airport.
Other nearby hotels in Lihue area: $15–$30 depending on distance.
South or Poipu area: fares can rise to $40–$60.

Tips:

Pre-booking a taxi can give peace of mind and prevent waiting at the airport in the late hours.
If using Lyft/Uber, check the app before your flight lands to see if drivers are available, and be prepared for slightly longer wait times at night.
Have the hotel address handy in your phone or app to share with the driver quickly.
If you prefer, consider booking a shuttle service that can operate late at night, but confirm their hours in advance.

Overall, both taxis and rideshares are options for late-night arrival at Lihue, but pre-arranging a taxi or having a backup Lyft ready is the safest approach to avoid delays after a long flight.