Cheap Car Rental in Kailua-kona

Car Rental in Kailua-Kona: driving to one of the sunniest cities in Hawaii

Nestled at the base of the Hualalai Volcano, Kailua-Kona or just “Kona,” is one of the sunniest cities in Hawaii. It is seated on some of the most historically desirable land of the islands and was once home to King Kamehameha I. Lovers of history, coffee, sun, the sea, and sports now flock to Kona to participate in the numerous outdoor activities the area offers, not least the Ironman Triathlon World Championship. Make the most of your visit to Kona by exploring thoroughly in your rental car. Book your car today!

The temperature doesn’t vary much year-round in Kona, making any time of the year fairly comfortable to visit. Though you risk having more rainy than sunny days if you travel during the winter months, your likelihood of seeing humpback whales increases exponentially.

While the de facto national language of the United States is English, the state of Hawaii has two official languages: Hawaiian and English. Pidgin, also called Hawaiian Pidgin English or Hawaiian Creole English, is the primary language spoken by most residents of the islands today.

Hawaii is in the Hawaii-Aleutian Time Zone, UTC-10.

The currency throughout the United States is the dollar. Credit cards are accepted at the vast majority of businesses and ATMs are also quite frequent.

Automobile hire is available at 3 locations throughout Kona, at the Kailua-Kona Airport (KOA), downtown, and at Kailua-Kona South. You are likely to find the most availability of cars at the airport.

There are some pretty phenomenal sights within driving distance of Kailua-Kona, including Hawaii Volcanoes National Park (about 2 hours), Waipi’o Valley (1.5 hours), and Pu`uhonua o Honaunau National Historic Park (40 minutes).

Visa Regulations

38 nationalities can enter the United States as tourists without applying for a visa, though if you are among these nationalities, you are still required to fill out the ESTA in advance. Visit esta.us for more information. Visitors to the United States will be fingerprinted and biometrically photographed upon entry. If your nationality is not included in the visa-waiver program, you will be required to apply for a B-1 or B-2 visa in advance of your arrival.

Driving in Kailua-Kona

Although Kona’s city center is very walkable, a rental car is by all means the best way to travel to the incredible parks and resorts that surround the city. Given the incredible array of outdoor activities in the area, your trip will not be complete without the mobility you get from a personal vehicle. Book your rental car today!

Right-Hand Driving

• Traffic drives on the right-hand side of the road in Hawaii.

Speed Limits

• In the city: 25 mph (40 km/h)
• On highways: 55 mph (88 km/h)
• Traffic has become more congested in recent years in Kona, particularly due to the rise in tourist travel to outdoor and resort locations around the city.

Other Regulations

1. Parking is a challenge in Kona, as the number of visitors in tourist season typically outweighs the parking necessary at other times of the year. To avoid having to search for parking and pay high fees, book a hotel with complimentary parking.
2. If your driver’s license has been issued in English, an international driver’s permit is not necessary for your travels in Hawaii, and you are permitted to drive to up to 28 days.
3. At the time of writing, there were no toll roads in Hawaii
4. While Hawaiians are permitted to drive as young as 17, you will have to be at least 21 to rent a car in Hawaii. Drivers under the age of 25 are also likely to face young-driver surcharges.

Other Tips

• Especially at popular tourist destinations, be sure not to leave any important belongings in your car and put everything out of sight!

Cheap Car Rental in Kailua-Kona

Automobile hire in Kailua-Kona typically varies between around $33 and $50 a day, depending on which season you plan to visit the area. Here are some of the best deals in Kailua-Kona:

• Hyundai Elantra or similar (economy class) – $33/day
• Nissan Note or similar (compact class) - $36/day
• Toyota Rav4 or similar (intermediate class) - $40/day
• Hyundai Santa Fe or similar (standard class) - $44/day
• Kia Optima or similar (fullsize class) - $45/day

Note that prices vary depending on the availability of each specific car and the season in which you rent. For the most accurate offers, use the search bar above.

Tips for Renting a Car Inexpensively in Kailua-Kona

The price of rental cars typically varies by about $7 throughout the year in Kona, with the price peaking at around $51 a day in the summer. Although many people flock to Kona for the Ironman competition in October, prices stay low in this month, typically lingering around $40 a day.

The airport offers visitors the most availability of cars and variety of rental agencies, typically making it the cheapest location to book your rental. Dollar and Thrifty routinely offer the most inexpensive rental options.

You can also save more than $10 a day by extending your rental period to over a week!