If you want to enjoy the island to the fullest, you have only one option - rent a car. Even if you're only planning to stay at one of the beach resorts around Kona, renting a car will still be the cheapest option.

Public transport is practically non-existent (for example, the Kona airport only runs once a day) and taxis are hellishly expensive.

By car

Car rental prices in Hawaii - unlike other services - are not that significantly overpriced. All the well-known companies operate here, so the choice is really wide. Leaving aside the multinationals, we can recommend the local rental company Carrentalhawaii.com, which in most cases will offer the lowest price.

In general, you will pay on average around 30 usd for a day's car rental, depending on the type of car.

For detailed information about travelling by car around Big Island, specific prices, traffic, road quality or petrol prices, please read the separate chapter Car rental Big Island.

Find the cheapest car rental on Big Island

Public transport - buses

The only other, and completely inappropriate, mode of transport is the Hele-on bus.

While the network of routes covers all the villages, the connections are infrequent. Basically, the only route with multiple connections per day (about 8 each day) operates between Waimea and Hilo.

From Hilo to Kona you can get 3 times a day, other places usually only once a day. Timetables are only available online, the vast majority of stops are not even marked in any way.

The official website of the bus company: heleonbus.org

Bus service to the Big Island is free. Neither local nor international visitors pay for the bus ride.

Taxi

A taxi ride may only be worthwhile to/from the airport if, for example, you arrive late in the evening or leave early in the morning and it's worth renting a car a day later. Taxi fares are regulated by the state throughout Hawaii. The meter must always be on and the price calculation must always be the same regardless of the distance traveled:

• Starting rate - 3,70 usd
• One minute ride or 1/8 mile (whichever comes first) - 0,40 usd