Hiring a car is practically the only way to get around Kauai. There are no bus routes to the island’s most beautiful areas in the west, north and centre, and even where buses do run, they usually do not go to the main tourist attractions.

However, driving in the Hawaiian Islands is a relaxed experience; the locals are used to tourists, so there’s no need to worry about hiring a car on Kauai.

The general guidelines for car hire also apply on Kauai, and if you’re new to this, read our article‘How to hire a car abroad for the first time’.

Where, when and how to book a car on Kauai

When booking a car with a car hire company, the general rule is that the earlier you book, the cheaper it will be; however, in the Hawaiian Islands, prices do not vary drastically unless you’re travelling over Christmas or major American public holidays.

To make a booking, we recommend using one ofthe comparison websites that list all carhire companies, which will sort the results according to your chosen criteria.

Compare car hire prices on booking.com

Virtually all the major international car hire companies operate on Kauai, so there’s a very wide choice.

Car hire prices on Kauai

Hiring a car on the island of Kauai is inexpensive, at least compared to the very high cost of accommodation. The price depends on the length of the hire (the longer the hire, the cheaper the daily rate) and, of course, the type of car.

• 7-day hireof a small car – from 455 usd
• 7-day hire of a jeepor a more expensive car – from 680 usd
• Check out car hire deals on Kauai

Always read the rental terms and conditions carefully, particularly the insurance details, which you can also find on theBooking.com website. Some rental companies include insurance in the final price, whilst others will charge an additional fee, ranging from 5 usd to 10 usd per day, depending on the type of car and the duration of the hire.

International driving licence and other documents

The Hawaiian Islands are part of the USA, and to drive thereyou’ll need an international driving licence, which can only be used in conjunction with a standard national driving licence.

In the USA, the international driving licence issued under the Geneva Convention is valid.

Car hire companies usually requirea credit card to hire a car; they will often hire to you on a debit card as well, but either on less favourable terms or with a very high deposit, often exceeding 1 500 usd.

Petrol prices and where to park

Petrol in Hawaii is about a dollar per gallon more expensive than in the continental US.

On Kauai, 1 gallon of petrol costs an average of 4 usd, which, when converted to litres, meansyou’ll pay around 1,20 usd perlitre.

Parking on Kauai is hassle-free.

There are no really large towns here, and public car parks are available at all shops, government offices, banks, beaches and tourist attractions. Parking is permitted wherever it is not expressly prohibited by a traffic sign. For example, it is common to park alongside the road at tourist attractions outside towns. However, at the most significant tourist attractions, such as the Na Pali Coast or Waimea Canyon, there is usually a parking charge of 10 usd.

Do, however, take great care to check whether a traffic sign prohibits parking in a particular section. Fines are strict, and you can be sure that the car hire company will deduct any fine from your card. The fine for a parking offence is also 100 usd.

Book a car at Lihue Airport

Traffic and road regulations

Kauai is a rural island with no major towns, so it effectively has just one main road circling three-quarters of the island (with the exception of the Nā Pali Coast, where there is no road). Most tourist attractions can be reached via good-quality tarmac roads; only the far west and centre of the island lack roads, and if you’re heading to these areas, hiring a 4x4 is essential.

Traffic on Kauai isn’t heavy, so there’s no need for motorways or four-lane expressways here. Local drivers are very considerate; nobody is in a hurry, and even at a very leisurely pace you can drive round the whole island in three hours. The rules are observed here, and it is pointless and expensive to break them.

Traffic offences are monitored, and speeding, parking in no-parking zones or using a mobile phone whilst driving can cost you dearly – even hundreds of dollars. Take a look at the basic traffic rules on Kauai:

• drive on the right
• the speed limit on Kauai is 50 miles per hour (mph), which is approximately 80 km/h. However, in many places, signs indicate a lower speed limit, usually 30 or 35 mph
• You may turn right on a red light unless a sign explicitly states ‘No turn on red’
• At quiet junctions, you’ll come across what’s known as an ‘All-way Stop’, meaning there’s a ‘STOP’ sign in all directions. The first vehicle to reach the junction has right of way. If two or more vehicles arrive at the same time, you must follow the same rules as at Czech junctions
• Using a mobile phone whilst driving is prohibited
• There are no roundabouts on Kauai