If you want to enjoy the island to the fullest, you have only one option - rent a car.

Buses cover the western part of the island relatively well, so you can get from Kahului to resorts like Kapalua or Kaanapali.

By car

Unless you want to spend your entire vacation in one place at the main beach destinations, you can't do without a car.

Renting a car is the easiest and, in fact, the only sensible option. Unlike other services in Hawaii, car rentals are not seriously overpriced; you'll pay around 65 usd for a day in an average car.

Maui is not a large island in size and the roads are good quality and well signposted, however they are very winding when travelling along the coast, which adds significantly to the driving time and is a good thing to take into account. You will only find petrol stations in the towns.

Drivers who are not so confident in crampons should avoid the 340 road winding along the northwest coast of the island. While it's one of the most scenically beautiful, it's also by far one of the most challenging, mainly because of the long, narrow and winding stretches where one side is downhill, the other a cliff and you can't see around the corner.

Find the cheapest car rental company

TIP: Rent a convertible Mustang in Hawaii. Driving around without a roof belongs to Maui, plain and simple. Rentals aren't that much more expensive, around 60 per day-70 usd.

For detailed information on travelling by car around Maui, see the separate chapter on Maui car rental.

Public transportation on Maui

Buses are relatively easy to take between Kahului, the south and west of the island, as well as around the larger communities (Kahului, Wailuku, Lahaina, Kiehi). Intervals are usually between 60 and 120 minutes, but they really only get you between towns.

All detailed schedules can be found on the official website: mauicounty.gov/Maui-Bus-Public-Transit-System.

The ticket costs 2 usd regardless of the distance travelled and is always paid in cash to the driver in the exact amount. However, you can purchase an all-day pass for 4 usd valid on any given calendar day for all routes throughout Maui.

The main bus stop is located in Kahului at the Queen Ka'ahumanu Center, where most bus lines depart (see location on map).

If you want to spend your Maui vacation solely on the beach, then buses may be an option to save money on car rentals, however you will be very limited by the schedule and especially the options for trips to anywhere other than the main resorts.