Car hire in Waikiki

lisyloo

I'm looking to hire a car for a couple of days in waikiki (lucky me :-)

Would I be better off booking it with a UK company (like lastminute) or directly with a US company? or is there no difference.
Are there any gotchas (like huge excesses).
Any recommendations for companies?

It's not particularly expensive but I am a little concerned that ts & cs could be a bit different in the US.

chriscousins

We went to Wakiki with the intention of hiring a car, but the island is so small, and buses frequent, clean and cheap that we didn't bother with the hire car!! Buses took us to all the 'tourist' places on the island.

bazza1603

I agree that buses are cheap and its a decent service everywhere.

We hired a car from Alamo near Wakiki for a couple a days which was enough.

Enjoy yourself

Baz

yoni_one

Have a look at any frequent flyer or discount offers you might be able to make if you book direct through the airline.

You are registered to the frequent flyer scheme aren't you? if not do it now, that is one long journey you dont want to miss out on the miles.

G-G_4

We hired a car from Thrifty and only had to give a couple of days notice.. was well worth it, had a great day out in the car... remember they drive the other side of the road though, so you should be a confident driver. Well worth spending a day or two with your own car I would say

Have fun!

Make sure you go to Hanauma Bay too

lisyloo

Buses took us to all the 'tourist' places on the island.

Can we easily get to pearl harbour and laniakea? (turtles)
We have quite limited time as it's a stopover before a cruise.

You are registered to the frequent flyer scheme aren't you? if not do it now, that is one long journey you dont want to miss out on the miles.

We are going as part of a package deal (flights, hotels, transfers and cruise).
I am pretty sure that when a travel agent has pre-booked a block allocation of seats that you cannot use the loyalty schemes.
But of course, let me know if you know different.
My husband travels on business quite a bit and we would expect to be able to use the lounges with his cards (the lounge people won't know we are on a package) but usually if you are on a package holiday then the turn away the card at the checkin desk.

Make sure you go to Hanauma Bay too

What's there?
We have 3 days at the outside.
But we are expecting to be cream crakered on the first day post flight (my husband is large and won't sleep a wink due to probably being in some degree of pain) and I'm not sure of our transfer times to the cruise ship on the 3rd day, so we really only have 1 full day (and maybe 2 halves).
We definitely want to see pearl harbour and the turtles on the beach.
Does Hanauma Bay count as a must see with limited time?

blindman

TheBus operates around the island.
One trip fare is $2.00 A four day pass is $20.00

Route A goes past Pearl Harbor and takes about 30 minutes from the town centre. (IIRC). Arrive early to beat the queues.

You can circle the island completely on the 52\55. This takes about 4 hours total.
Route 22 and 58 go to Diamond Head.

There are numerous tours you could take.

IMHO I'd stick with the local transport. Parking in Ohau is expensive and scarce.

lisyloo

There are numerous tours you could take.

Yes we had a look at the tours.
It's an option but I think we'd rather do it on our own because we have a number of excursions on the 2 cruises we are doing.
Whilst I feel you can get a lot out of doing the excursions, we don't want every day to be on a tour otherwise it can feel a bit like a route march.

My husband is really keen to go to the turtle beach and he did look but I don't think we found a bus to get there.

chriscousins

We went on organised trips to Pearl Harbor and the Polynesian Culture centre, but took bus to Hanauma bay (got bus back from bottom of bay to car park though !)
Plenty of island tours as well.
Pearl Harbor is a 'Must'.

Woby_Tide

lisyloo wrote: »

Does Hanauma Bay count as a must see with limited time?

We only stopped briefly on the roads past it but were lucky enough to catch some whales going past the entrance to the bay which was lucky in the extreme. Didn't spend a great amount of time their due to other stuff so not sure if you;re limited for time. But the website contains plenty of info it so can always see what you fancy, certainly looks like you could spend a lazy first day instead if you're tired