KAYAK’s insights & trends for The Big Island car hire
Check out the latest trends and booking tips to hire a car in The Big Island with confidence.
How far in advance should you book a rental car in The Big Island?
You should book your rental car in The Big Island around 87 days before your trip in order to get a below-average price.
What is the cheapest month to hire a car in The Big Island?
The cheapest month to hire a car in The Big Island is September at an average cost of RM 197/day. December is the most expensive month to hire a car in The Big Island when prices are RM 334/day on average, which tends to be 83% above the yearly average hire price for The Big Island.
The Big Island car rental price comparison by vehicle type
Find the right rental car in The Big Island by comparing prices across vehicle types.
Small
Medium
Large
SUV
Van
Pickup truck
Luxury
Convertible
Small cars
RM 149 - RM 276
All Car Types
RM 239 - RM 457
How much does it cost to rent a small car in The Big Island?
How much does it cost to rent a medium car in The Big Island?
How much does it cost to rent a large car in The Big Island?
How much does it cost to rent an SUV in The Big Island?
How much does it cost to rent a van in The Big Island?
How much does it cost to rent a pickup truck in The Big Island?
How much does it cost to rent a luxury car in The Big Island?
How much does it cost to rent a convertible in The Big Island?
Small car rentals in The Big Island typically cost around RM 202 per day. The best time to book is May, when prices average RM 149 per day which is about 27% less than the yearly average. Small cars are usually 36% cheaper than the average rental in The Big Island, making them ideal for budget-conscious travelers.
Medium car rentals in The Big Island typically cost around RM 257 per day. The best time to book is June, when prices average RM 210 per day which is about 19% less than the yearly average. Medium cars are usually 19% cheaper than the average rental in The Big Island, offering a good balance of space and value.
Large car rentals in The Big Island typically cost around RM 239 per day. The best time to book is September, when prices average RM 185 per day which is about 23% less than the yearly average. Large cars can be 25% cheaper than the average rental in The Big Island, offering more comfort for longer trips at a valuable price.
SUV rentals in The Big Island typically cost around RM 331 per day. The best time to book is May, when prices average RM 252 per day which is about 24% less than the yearly average. SUVs are typically 5% more expensive than the average rental in The Big Island, but provide extra space and capability for groups or road trips.
Van rentals in The Big Island typically cost around RM 453 per day. The best time to book is May, when prices average RM 347 per day which is about 24% less than the yearly average. Vans are typically 31% more expensive than the average rental in The Big Island, but are the best choice for families or groups needing maximum passenger capacity.
Pickup truck rentals in The Big Island typically cost around RM 372 per day. The best time to book is September, when prices average RM 313 per day which is about 17% less than the yearly average. Pickup trucks are typically 16% more expensive than the average rental in The Big Island, ideal for hauling gear or outdoor adventures.
Luxury car rentals in The Big Island typically cost around RM 379 per day. The best time to book is May, when prices average RM 251 per day which is about 34% less than the yearly average. Luxury cars are typically 17% more expensive than the average rental in The Big Island, but deliver premium comfort and style for special occasions.
Convertible rentals in The Big Island typically cost around RM 334 per day. The best time to book is September, when prices average RM 258 per day which is about 23% less than the yearly average. Convertibles are typically 6% more expensive than the average rental in The Big Island, perfect for scenic drives and warm-weather destinations.
Good to know
Most popular agency
Most popular car type
Average price
Good deal
Hertz
Medium
RM 453/day
RM 401/day
Top tips for hiring a car in The Big Island
Driving on the Big Island of Hawaii can be both exciting and exotic. Visitors to the island will likely want to consider a tough four-wheel drive for exploring the volcano national park or Mauna Kea Forest Reserve. Or perhaps a convertible might seem like a good idea for cruising the streets of Hilo or Kailua-Kona. What rental drivers might not realize, however, is that gasoline is priced quite differently in Hawaii than it is on the mainland. Therefore, when choosing your rental vehicle for the Big Island, be sure to consider gas mileage along with utility.
The maximum speed limit on interstate highways and rural freeways in Hawaii is 60 mph; however, the limit is only 25 mph in residential areas. Therefore, it is always important to watch for posted speed limits as these may change depending on road type. While drivers may use their mobile phones in hands-free mode, it is against the law to text while driving on any roadway in Hawaii. Children under one year of age or weighing less than 20 pounds must be secured in rear-facing car seats. Between the ages of one and four years, children may ride in forward-facing car seats, after which time they may transition to booster seats.
Your Big Island adventure will only be made more fun and exciting with a vehicle rental. However, there are some things to keep in mind about driving in Hawaii, which may be a little different from other states. For example, when driving in the parks or reserves, it’s important to use caution before going off-road. The reserves on the Big Island contain beautiful forest and jungle landscapes, which will often include protected or poisonous species of flowers or other plants and should be avoided. Likewise, driving off-road in the volcano national park carries obvious risks as well. Have fun in Hawaii, but always stay safe.
25% of our users found rental cars in The Big Island for RM 401 or less
FAQs about hiring a car in The Big Island
Should I hire a car in The Big Island?
Renting a car on the Big Island means having the freedom to go anywhere and explore all that this incredible paradise has to offer. When you rent a car, you bypass the need to rely on public transportation, which isn’t always available, or even taxis or private rideshares, which can be very expensive in Hawaii. With your rental vehicle, you can attend a meeting in downtown Hilo, then cruise over to the beach in Captain Cook and watch the sun slip into the Pacific, all on your schedule.
What is driving like in The Big Island?
Driving on the Big Island can be generally summed up in one word: beautiful. There are many roads on the island with breathtaking views of both the land and the sea. For the most part, the roads on this island are well-maintained and convenient, whether you’re in downtown Hawaii or uptown Hilo, or just circling the coastline in your fancy rented convertible. Signage may be a little sparse at times, and traffic can sometimes form in the cities, but wherever your Hawaiian adventure takes you on the Big Island, you’re sure to enjoy every moment and every mile.
How old do you have to be to hire a car in The Big Island?
In the state of Hawaii, including on the Big Island, you must be at least seventeen years old to hold an unrestricted driver’s license. After that, you may rent a car beginning at age eighteen. Generally, car rental agencies will apply a surcharge to your rental agreement if you are under the age of twenty five. This additional fee may be applied on a daily basis or can be assessed as part of the overall rental price. All drivers, regardless of age, will need to present a valid driver’s license, in addition to certain other documents, at the time of rental agreement signing.
How much does it cost to hire a car in The Big Island?
On average a car hire in The Big Island costs RM 453 per day.
How can I find car hires near me in The Big Island?
Take a look at our extensive car hire location map to find the best car hire deals near you.
How much does it cost to hire a car for a week in The Big Island?
On average a car hire in The Big Island costs RM 3,172 per week (RM 453 per day).
How much does it cost to hire a car long term for a month in The Big Island?
On average a car hire in The Big Island costs RM 13,593 per month (RM 453 per day).
Car rental directory
Dollar car hire locations in The Big Island
7 Locations
Thrifty car hire locations in The Big Island
7 Locations
Hertz car hire locations in The Big Island
5 Locations
Enterprise Rent-A-Car car hire locations in The Big Island
4 Locations
Sunnycars car hire locations in The Big Island
4 Locations
Alamo car hire locations in The Big Island
2 Locations
Avis car hire locations in The Big Island
2 Locations
Budget car hire locations in The Big Island
2 Locations
Easirent car hire locations in The Big Island
2 Locations
National car hire locations in The Big Island
2 Locations
Payless car hire locations in The Big Island
2 Locations
VIPCars Recommendation car hire locations in The Big Island
2 Locations
Car rental locations in The Big Island
Everything you need to know for your car rental in The Big Island
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