Cheap Car Rental in Hilo

Car Rental in Hilo: A Tropical Paradise

Hilo is the largest town in Hawaii. It is surrounded by volcanoes; Mauna Loa, which is active, and Mauna Kea, which currently lies dormant. Surprisingly, this area has been a key site for many ground-breaking astronomical observations. With that in mind, the town is home to Hilo University and also the Imiloa Astronomy Center

What to See In and Around Hilo

Most of the best trips are outside the town itself and will require a short drive, which is why hiring a car is a great idea. In the immediate vicinity of the town, however, there are numerous waterfalls. Hilo is one of the rainiest areas in the entirety of the USA, but these waterfalls make it worth it. One of the must-see falls is the Rainbow Falls at Wailuku State Park, a relatively short drive from the center of the town, falling an impressive 80 feet past a hidden cave, and so-named for the early-morning-mist rainbows that are created. Orchids are another feature of this stunning area, and, almost everywhere you go, you can’t fail to see some.

The beach at Richardson Ocean Park offers immense relaxation after a day of driving, its unique black sands offering a stunning contrast to the azure waves that hit its shores. Careful here, though; there are strong undercurrents and a ring of cliffs and rocks, so swimming may be better reserved for other beaches in the area.

To hit up a bit of the local culture, head to Downtown Hilo where you can immerse yourself in the historic district, grab an old Hawaiian book, visit the Palace Theater and munch on some tasty side-street treats.

Get Cheap Car Rental

Hilo is generally a cheap area to rent a car. However, there are several factors that do come in to play as regards cost. To get the best deal, make sure to be specific on the dates, book in advance, choose a smaller car class and be careful as to where you are booking the car from. Keeping these tips in mind, you can reduce the cost of your trip quite considerably. The prices listed below are some examples based on rental for a week; for more specific prices pertinent to your travel, use our search function at the top of the page and we will compare a range of rental companies to find you the best deal.

• Chevrolet Spark (economy class) - $41 per day
• Nissan Versa (compact class) - $45 per day
• Toyota Corolla (intermediate class) - $47 per day
• Chevrolet Cruze (standard class) - $50 per day
• Chrysler 200 (fullsize class) - $51 per day

Finding the Cheapest Car to Hire

Hawaii is always a popular destination no matter the time of year, which does mean that rental cars are often in high demand. However, with some careful planning, you can dodge some of the high season prices and nab a cheap rental-car deal on the side. The weather is tropical all year round, but for the best weather you should look to April, May, September, and October. This is great for those of you who are looking for a car, as these months are outside the holiday season, and many a bargain can be snapped up. Booking in advance will also stand you in good stead; a last-minute booking may offer an unexpected surprise in the way of a cheap car, but, more often than not, you will find yourself looking at high car-prices, fewer cars to choose from and a potentially awkward pick-up point.

Whilst you may not feel like you need a car for your entire trip, it is worth noting that dealers offer cheaper prices for longer rental periods. Renting for a week can cost you just $43 per day, but a three-day stint can be as much as $58 per day for the same car. You may save in the long run by having the car for a longer period! Decide on what you need the car for as well. A smaller car might serve your purposes just as well as a bigger one and will be cheaper to rent and to run. Prices can be as low as $33 per day for an economy car and as much as $42 per day for a big van or 4x4.

Rules Of The Road and Regulations on Rentals

1. Cars drive on the right-hand-side of the road, just as in mainland America
2. Drivers can turn right on a red light if they have come to a complete stop prior to making the turn
3. Wearing seatbelts is mandatory for all people in the car
4. Pedestrians have right of way
5. There are many tourist drivers, so remember always to pay attention to the road
6. Watch out for bicycles
7. Depending where you drive, 4x4s are recommended
8. Many companies have an age restriction on drivers aged 20 – 24 and will not allow them to hire certain vehicles