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There are only two main roadways on �����ܲ�ʻ�� – Kūhiō Highway (Route 56) and Kaumualiʻi Highway (Route 50) – and the island is 25 miles long and 33 miles wide. This means getting around the Garden Island isn’t very difficult – if you have a car.

There’s a public bus system on �����ܲ�ʻ�� and some hotels run shuttle services, but routes are limited. Taxis and rideshare options like Uber and Lyft can be expensive and difficult to find. You’ll want a car to explore the best experiences the island has to offer.

If you don’t want to rent a car – or want a greener way to get around – there are bike and motorbike rental companies. You can also walk certain neighborhoods, too.

To explore the most of �����ܲ�ʻ��, rent a car

It takes about two hours to drive from Polihale State Park on �����ܲ�ʻ��’s west side to Hanalei Bay on the north shore – a route that nearly circles the island. And there’s a lot to explore between the two beaches, from the majestic Waimea Canyon to the sunny beaches of �ʴ�ʻ����� to the beachy town of Hanalei.

Because there are only two main roads that encircle the island – and others that cut inland to towns like Koloa and Kokeʻe State Park – navigating around �����ܲ�ʻ�� isn’t that hard. Most of the places you’ll want to visit, from popular restaurants to beaches, will be along the two major highways.

Rental cars have been hard to come by throughout the state, as car rental companies sold their cars in 2020 in anticipation of the financial blow they would face due to widespread COVID-19 travel restrictions. Tourism returned to the Islands in 2021 with pre-pandemic numbers of visitors – and fewer cars available. People were shelling out thousands of dollars to rent cars, some even renting U-Hauls. �����ܲ�ʻ�� was no exception.

While it’s not as crazy as it was a year ago, you’ll still want to book your car in advance to ensure you’ll have a way to get around once you land, especially if you’re visiting during peak periods. All major car-rental agencies are on �����ܲ�ʻ��, with lots conveniently located near Līhuʻe Airport. rents cars from the Grand Hyatt �����ܲ�ʻ�� and Princeville Airport, too. Private car rental options are also available through and, but you’re not allowed to sleep in trailers, RVs or camper vans at county or state parks, and you’ll need a permit to camp. Zipcar is not available on �����ܲ�ʻ��.

While driving around �����ܲ�ʻ��, keep up-to-date with road work and land closures – these may impact your itinerary. Visit the state to get daily updates for �����ܲ�ʻ��. (Last year Kūhiō Highway to Hanalei was closed in both directions at various times during the day and night, as workers needed to fix the road after a major landslide. If you missed the window of time when the road was open, you wouldn’t be able to get in or out of Hanalei.)

As anywhere in Hawaii, drive with aloha. Drive slowly, yield to others and don’t tailgate. (Locals aren’t receptive to blaring car horns, either.) At one-lane bridges – like the one in Hanalei – you must yield to oncoming traffic. Just relax and enjoy the drive. You’re on vacation!

Yes, there’s a bus system on �����ܲ�ʻ�� – but don’t get too excited about it

Unlike ��ʻ�����, which boasts an extensive public bus system where you almost don’t need to rent a car, �����ܲ�ʻ��’s bus option is limited in times and routes. The city-run provides service from Kekaha to Hanalei, and fares are $2 per trip. (It offers discounted fares for riders with disabilities, seniors over 65 and those between 7 and 18. Children under 6 are free.) The routes are geared more for residents than visitors, so check timetables online or call (808) 246-8110 to map out your visit. Note that the bus cannot accommodate large luggage or oversize bags.

Take a shuttle for short trips

There are a handful of private shuttle companies – , , – that provide transportation from Lihuʻe Airport. Some hotels also provide shuttle options for their guests to and from the airport. But �����ܲ�ʻ�� also has local area shuttles that could be a good option if you’re looking for a quick and affordable (often free!) way to get somewhere nearby.

The offers free service to restaurants, shopping areas or the beach in the �ʴ�ʻ����� area. (You can also book private charters, too.) The free shuttle rides run from 6 to 10 p.m. daily. And the provides transportation to , which includes Keʻe Beach and the famous Kalalau Trail. The shuttle departs the Waipā Park & Ride (where you can leave your rental car) every 30 minutes between 6:30 and 11:30am daily, with return service from Haʻena State Park between 7am and noon and 2 to 5:30pm. Cost is $35 per adult ($25 per child) and includes entry fee into the state park.

Rideshares and taxis are great for quick rides

You can find Lyft, Uber and a locally run rideshare option called on �����ܲ�ʻ��. Wait times may be a little longer than in Honolulu, where there are more drivers, and rides can be more expensive than the daily cost of a car rental. (A ride from Lihuʻe Airport to �ʴ�ʻ����� Beach Park on Holoholo, for example, starts at $60. You can rent a car for about $80 a day.) But if you need a quick ride somewhere, this is a great option.

There are several taxi companies, too, some of which offer charter services. You can find most of them at the aiport and some drivers only accept cash (not credit cards). offers three sightseeing tours, even one to see ʻ���貹��첹ʻ�� and Wailua Falls, andhas beach and adventure tours. You can also book taxi drivers for the entire day if you want a personal tour of the island.

Two wheels can be better than four

If you prefer to experience �����ܲ�ʻ�� on two wheels, you can rent a bike from a few shops, which deliver to specific areas on the island. rents pedal-assisted bikes complete with gear ($24 an hour, $79 for 24 hours, $279 for six days) and delivers them free of charge from �ʴ�ʻ����� to Kapaʻa. has a selection of bikes – from single-speed cruisers to road-hybrid bikes – with drop-off and pick-up service for weekly rentals from Princeville to Haʻena.

A great place to bike is the (Hawaiian for “The Path that Goes by Coast”), a paved trail that runs 8 miles (in two segments) in Kapaʻa. The path runs along the coastline from Lydgate Beach Park to secluded Kuna Bay (aka Donkey Beach). You can rent a bike right in Kapaʻa town – has cruisers, mountain bikes, hybrids and even tandem bikes – and enjoy this gorgeous stretch of �����ܲ�ʻ��. (You might be able to see migrating humpback whales in the winter months.)

Need more speed? There are a few shops that rent mopeds, motorcycles and scooters. in Lihuʻe offers all three with free delivery islandwide. Cost ranges from $110 a day for a 49cc moped to $300 a day for a Suzuki DR 650 Dual Sport Motorcycle. Due to COVID-19 and the state’s emergency rules, the company does not provide riding lessons. All renters must know how to operate a motorized two-wheeled vehicle. Motorcycle riders must have valid motorcycle licenses.

Hit the pavement

Sometimes the best way to experience a place is by walking. �����ܲ�ʻ�� features a number of charming neighborhoods great for wandering. The half-mile stretch of road in Old Koloa Town is a walkable shopping and food area, with food trucks, boutiques, coffee shops and two supermarkets. Grab an all-natural shave ice from or a burger using 100% �����ܲ�ʻ��-grown beef from . Or stroll along Rice Street and the surrounding area in Lihuʻe and visit restaurants, shops and other local businesses. Grab a bowl of saimin from Hamura Saimin Stand, which was recognized by the prestigious James Beard Foundation as one of America’s Classics in 2006, or pop in �����ܲ�ʻ�� Beer Co. for a pint of locally crafted beer.

Hanapepe Town seems like it was built for walking – the quarter-mile section of Hanapepe Road is dotted with art galleries, boutiques and cafes. Get a macadamia nut cinnamon roll or hot panini sandwich from or browse the charming indie Talk Story Bookstore in this little town, which was the backdrop for Disney’s Lilo & Stitch. If you love Niʻihau shell jewelry – pricey but truly an artform – visit .

Check the local guidance

The County of �����ܲ�ʻ��’s Office of Economic Development collaborated with the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority on website focused on transportation options on the island. has information on various ways to get around, from renting cars to ridesharing to walking guides. The site encourages the use of low-impact, green options that are better for the environment and reduce traffic for residents.

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