Renting a car is almost everywhere the most flexible and convenient travel option. The same is true on Oahu, provided you don't mind navigating the big city traffic of Honolulu, which is second to none in the US.

Oahu has a relatively good bus network that can get you just about anywhere.

The general guidelines for renting a car on Oahu also apply, and if you're new to this segment, check out our article How to Rent a Car Abroad for the First Time.

Where, when and how to book a car on Oahu

When booking a rental car, generally the earlier you make the reservation the cheaper it will be, however in the Hawaiian Islands the prices don't vary wildly unless you're travelling over Christmas or major US holidays.

To book, we recommend using one of the comparison engines of all car rental companies, which will sort the results according to your chosen criteria:

Compare car rental prices - booking.com

Car rental prices in Oahu

Renting a car on Oahu is a relatively cheap affair, at least compared to very expensive accommodation. The price depends on the length of the rental (the longer, the cheaper the daily rate) and of course the type of car.

• 7-day rental of a smaller car - from 275 usd
• 7-day rental of a jeep or more expensive car - from 350 usd
• Check out car rental offers on Oahu

Always read the rental terms and conditions in detail and especially the insurance, which you can also find on Booking.com. Some rental companies include insurance in the final price, elsewhere you will have to pay extra, between 5 eur and 10 eur per day depending on the type of car and length of the rental.

International driving licence and other documents

The Hawaiian Islands are part of the USA and to drive here you need an international driver's license, which can only be used in combination with a regular national driver's license.

The Geneva Convention international driver's license is valid in the USA.

Car rental companies usually require a credit card to rent a car, and will often lend you a debit card, but either on less favorable terms or with a very high deposit often exceeding even 1 500 usd.

Petrol prices and where to park

Gasoline is about a dollar a gallon more expensive in Hawaii than in the continental US, but still cheaper than in most European countries, for example.

1 gallon of gasoline costs on average 4,50 usd on Oahu , which means that converted to liters, you will pay about 1,20 usd for 1 gallon of gasoline.

Parking is hassle-free outside Honolulu, where you can park for free in small lots at almost any beach or tourist attraction (including the Pearl Harbor Memorial, for example).

The situation is considerably worse in downtown Honolulu, where free parking is virtually non-existent.

On-street parking is charged in all parts of the city (1,50 usd per hour) except Sundays, when street parking is free. You can take advantage of free street parking on Ala Wai Boulevard, but outside the hours of 8:30-11:30am, when parking is prohibited. All-day free parking is available at Ala Moana Beach Park, but it is closed between 10pm and 6am.

Traffic and traffic regulations

Oahu is criss-crossed by a good network of roads and highways, all of which are free. It's quick and easy to get from one end of the island to the other, and the signage is clear. Drivers are generally very considerate and respectful of the rules.

Driving around Honolulu can be a problem, where traffic jams form on weekdays and it can be difficult for those unfamiliar with American traffic to navigate the rectangular network of streets, all of which look similar.

Violations are highly policed and speeding, parking at a no parking zone or talking on your phone while driving can get very expensive. Check out the basic traffic rules on Oahu:

• Drive on the right
• there are no posted speed limits, the speed limit is always marked with a sign in miles per hour (about 1.6 times the speed limit in kilometres per hour)
• the maximum speed limit (always posted) is 55 mph on highways (which is just under 90 km/h)
• you may turn right at a red light unless the sign specifically states "No turn on reg signal"
• at low-traffic intersections you will see "All-way Stop" signs, i.e. there is a "STOP" sign from all directions. The first person to cross the intersection is the first to arrive. If 2 or more vehicles arrive at the same time, you follow the same rules as at Czech intersections.
• talking on the phone while driving is forbidden
• There are no roundabouts on Oahu.

Reserve a car at Honolulu Airport