Hawaii’s capital Honolulu is pure paradise, blessed with plenty of sunshine, beautiful beaches, nature, and historic attractions. Exploring Honolulu by car rental makes it easy to travel at your own pace, especially as this sprawling city has so much to see and do. From Honolulu, you can rent a car and explore the rest of Oahu. This diverse and beautiful island will give you the very best Hawaii has to offer.
Honolulu car rental: the most important rental sites
Having your own vehicle in Honolulu is the best way to get around, whether you're in town for serious beach downtime or to shop and sample the nightlife. With a car hire at your disposal, you can do all three. Head from the white sands of Waikiki and peruse nearby luxury boutiques, then take your car across town to hike up Diamond Head, an extinct volcano offering incredible views. Great deals can be found on all vehicles, and it's even possible to rent a car long term, if you're staying in town a while. Just make sure to book in advance by using our price comparison - you can find better offers and save lots of money!
Rental Site |
Address |
Main Opening Times* |
Honolulu International Airport |
300 Rodgers Blvd, Honolulu, HI 96819, USA |
12:00 a.m. - 11:59 p.m. |
City Office |
2424 Kalakaua Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815, USA |
07:00 a.m. - 09:45 p.m. |
*The opening times may differ and vary depending on the rental site. Precise information can be found in the listing details. Pickups and returns of vehicles outside of opening times might be possible, but may cost extra.
Honolulu: rent a car and discover its sights
- Waikiki Neighborhood:
Explore Honolulu with a rental car and drive to the popular Waikiki Neighborhood. Famous for its crescent beach, the area also has a high concentration of restaurants, shops, clubs, bars and hotels. There's plenty of free and inexpensive parking in the area, so you'll have no problem finding a place to park.
- Diamond Head:
In the distance, you can see the iconic Diamond Head, a volcanic tuff cone. It is popular amongst visitors for its hiking trails, military history, and magnificent views of the coastline.
- Manoa Falls:
Explore the outskirts of Honolulu when you rent a car, and drive 20 minutes east to the beautiful Manoa Falls. Hike 1.5 miles from the motorway and see these majestic falls, with a drop height of about 150 feet.
- Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor:
Learn about the history of Pearl Harbor in this museum filled with aviation relics, and visit the Pearl Harbor Memorial, dedicated to those who perished in the attack on December 7, 1941.
- Koko Crater Botanical Garden:
Drive to the eastern side of Oahu and see this vast crater which hosts a beautiful botanical garden. See nearly 500 species of plants including palms, baobabs, and cacti, which can all be found here.
Getting around Honolulu
Rent a car in Honolulu for the convenience, but know to avoid rush hour if you can, saving you some time and stress. Merging in lanes is allowed generously so others expect the same courtesy from you. Don’t be surprised if somebody gives you the so-called 'shaka' sign, with their finger and pinky extended and middle fingers folded down, which means thank you. Wearing seat belts and installing child seats/restrainers are mandatory. On motorways, the maximum speed is posted at 55 mph. It is of course less than that in urban zones.
Parking spaces in both public and private zones are available in downtown Honolulu. It is possible to find free parking in less populated areas. Make sure to pay any required parking fees to avoid fines. Driving here might take some getting used to, but locals are patient. In fact, even for travellers on a short visit, it is good to note that one rarely honks the horn here, unless it's always an emergency.