Cheap Car Rental in Honolulu

Tips for scoring a cheap rental car in Honolulu

Looking for a cheap car rental in Honolulu? With Economybookings, you can easily compare multiple providers to find the best possible deal in Hawai‘i’s biggest city. With so much to experience across O‘ahu, a quick comparison can save you time and money on a car that will help you reach it all.

• Compare pickup locations – Select the broader urban area instead of a specific location to unlock more deal options, including off-airport savings.
• Slightly adjust pickup times and dates – Even changing your booking by an hour can reveal lower rates.
• Choose economy or compact cars – Unless you’re planning a longer road trip deep into O‘ahu’s backcountry, a compact car will likely meet all your needs in Honolulu.
• Book early – Honolulu is most definitely a year-round destination, but rental demand spikes even higher during popular travel times like winter (December through February), major holidays, and extended school vacation periods like spring break. Booking in advance helps secure lower prices and better vehicle selection.

Tips When Renting and Driving a Car in Honolulu

• Rent a car if you plan to visit places outside the city, where mass transit options tend to be limited.
• Avoid rush hour traffic on the H-1, H-2, and H-3 freeways.
• You can pick up your car at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, and at various storefronts around the city (especially in Waikiki).
• Choose a small car for better mileage and easier parking around town.
• Pick a car with four-wheel drive for longer drives into rural areas like the North Shore.
• Inspect the car and take photos before and after rental.

Driving Tips in Honolulu

• Drive on the right side of the road, and prepare to wait your turn when you need to turn left.
• Look out for stop lights—green means go, yellow signals that you must prepare to stop, and red is stop. At most intersections with stop lights, there will also be dedicated stop lights for left-turn lanes.
• Traffic calming circles, which function similarly to roundabouts, can be found in various neighborhoods around town – give way to traffic coming from the left.
• Hawai‘i state law requires headlight use from 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise, during inclement weather (like heavy rain and fog), and whenever driving through tunnels.
• Horn use should be reserved for emergencies or warnings.
• Traffic usually moves faster in the left lanes on highways.
• Expect to pay anywhere from $5 to $10 per hour to park in city streets and lots in Honolulu. When in the city, you can use the Park Smarter app for contactless payment.
• NEVER cross a set of double yellow lines.
• Try the GasBuddy app to locate area gas stations and check prices. If you have a Costco membership, you can refuel there and take advantage of their very cheap gas.
• Keep your driver’s license, rental papers, and proof of insurance with you at all times. (Due to heightened federal immigration enforcement activities, you may also want to keep your passport or proof of valid passport within easy reach as well.)
• H-1 is the main west-east freeway extending from Kapolei through central Honolulu to Waikiki. H-3 also generally runs west-east from Pearl Harbor to Kāneʻohe on O‘ahu’s windward coast, while H-2 runs north-south from Pearl Harbor to Wahiawā. And at Wahiawā, you can catch Kamehameha Highway to drive to the North Shore. These highways can be useful for reaching more of O‘ahu, but expect heavy traffic during weekday rush hours (6:00 to 8:30 AM, and 3:30 to 6:30 PM).

Speed Limits

In Hawai‘i, speed limits are typically 45 mph (72 km/h) on city roads, 50 mph (80 km/h) on rural highways, and 60 mph (97 km/m) on urban freeways. In addition, local authorities can enforce 25 mph (40 km/h) limits in school zones and residential areas. Always watch for posted signs, as limits can vary.

Road Signs

U.S. road signs are typically noticeable and well-placed. They are almost always in English and use symbols for quick understanding. Speed limit signs are in miles per hour (mph). In Honolulu, look out for signs marking dedicated rail crossings, bus lanes, bike lanes, and school lanes, which may have special speed limits and other restrictions.

Toll roads and park fees

Unlike most other popular US destinations, Hawai‘i has no toll roads operating anywhere in the state, including Honolulu. While a bill was introduced in the state legislature to allow a portion of Maui’s Hana Highway to convert into a toll road, no action has been taken on this bill as of Fall 2025. 

If you plan to drive to any of Hawai‘i’s state and national parks, note that many of these parks charge vehicle entry fees. If you plan to visit Pearl Harbor National Memorial, plan on paying $7 to park. And at Hawai‘i State Park lands, such as Diamond Head State Monument and Kaʻena Point State Park, expect to pay $10 per vehicle and an additional $5 per person for non-residents. 

Discover O‘ahu by Car

If you intend to primarily stay in the city and not venture farther than Downtown and Waikiki, you may be able to pull off a car-free trip. But if you’re thinking about exploring more of the island beyond Honolulu’s urban core, a car can really help you get where you want to go. With a rental car, you won’t have to worry about limited bus service and incredibly expensive Uber and Lyft rides.

A car offers flexibility and freedom to discover hidden spots that are much harder to reach via public transportation in the US. This especially rings true in O‘ahu, from the world-famous beach and gorgeous rainforest of Waimea, to the lovely beaches, resorts, and golf course at Ko Olina. 

When to Visit

As the United States’ only tropical state, Hawai‘i truly is an inviting year-round destination. With this said, the state can be affected by seasonal conditions. In winter, heavy rain can affect areas like O‘ahu’s North Shore. And late in the summer (especially August), hurricane season occasionally brings tropical cyclones to the state. 

For the best road trip weather, try the spring and summer months, when you will run into less rain and more sunshine. If you’re trying to avoid the worst tourist crowds and traffic, May is likely your best month to visit Honolulu. Whenever you plan to hit the open road, make sure to pack water and sunscreen, and to check weather forecasts before leaving.

Languages & Communication

English is the primary language spoken in Hawai‘i, but the state is highly multicultural and home to diverse communities. As you explore, you’re likely to hear a wide range of languages, including Tagalog, Japanese, Chinese, and Korean. From major resorts to restaurants and boutiques, Hawai‘i is well-equipped to welcome global visitors, with most signage and services available in English and staff highly experienced in assisting non-English speakers.

Currency & Payments

Since Hawai‘i is part of the United States, the U.S. dollar ($, or USD) is used everywhere. Credit and debit cards are widely accepted, and contactless payments have largely become commonplace around Honolulu. ATMs are easy to find throughout Honolulu’s urban core, but you may not see as many in more rural areas like the North Shore, and keep in mind that ATMs will charge extra fees if they are not affiliated with your bank.

Top Driving Routes in and Around Honolulu

• Even if you’re not planning to stay in a hotel in the urban core, central Honolulu is worth a day trip to explore incredible neighborhoods like Chinatown, cool museums like ʻIolani Palace and Capitol Modern, and the iconic beaches of Waikiki
• Diamond Head – About 10 minutes east of Waikiki; this volcanic tuff cone may be Honolulu’s most famous natural landmark, and Diamond Head State Monument has over 475 acres of hiking trails and panoramic coastal views
• Hanauma Bay – Around 20-30 minutes east of Waikiki; Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve has some of Honolulu’s most spectacularly beautiful beaches, and they’re so beautiful that this park requires reservations in advance
• Kahaluʻu – About 30-40 minutes north of Waikiki; come for more laid-back and quiet lodges and hotels, and stay to experience the magic of Kualoa Ranch (made famous by Jurassic Park) and Kahana Bay
• Kahuku – About 1-1.5 hours north; here is where you will find the North Shore’s most posh resort at The Ritz-Carlton O‘ahu, Turtle Bay, along with beautifully verdant beaches like Kaihalulu Beach and Kawela Bay
• Haleʻiwa – About 45 minutes to 1 hour north; as the biggest of the North Shore’s small towns, Haleʻiwa has a central village with a fun variety of boutiques, art galleries, and eateries, and it’s within easy reach of top North Shore attractions like the Dole Plantation, Puaʻena Point, and Waimea Bay
• Kapolei – About 35-50 minutes west; located on the western and leeward shores of O‘ahu, Kapolei has the Ko Olina private community with luxury resorts like Disney’s Aulani and the Four Seasons, along with the beachfront Paradise Cove lūʻau venue, and underrated beaches like Kahe Point and Hawaiian Electric Beach Park

Perhaps because Hawai‘i abounds in exceptional natural beauty, it’s become a very environmentally conscious state. Plan on using reusable bags when shopping, be respectful to local wildlife, and don’t even entertain the thought of littering at beaches and parks. In addition, it helps to respect local traditions like removing one’s shoes before entering a house, providing omiyage (or gifts) for the host of a party or special event, and avoiding anything in increments of four (as the Japanese word for four sounds like the word for death). Otherwise, kick back and enjoy your time in the wonderful State of Aloha.