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Should I rent a car in Oahu?

I’m planning a Hawaiian vacation. I’m staying in Honolulu for four days, but I plan on seeing other parts of the island, like the North Shore. Is renting a car in Oahu a good idea?

avatar
Matt Nightingale · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
What a lovely-sounding vacation! Renting a car in Oahu may or may not be a good idea, depending on what you plan to do. If you plan to stay in
Honolulu
the whole time, then renting a car in Oahu is not the best idea.
Honolulu ranks as one of the worst cities for traffic in the country. Not only is the congestion bad, but parking is incredibly expensive. Street parking is limited, and hotel parking will cost you in the range of $30 to $50 per night—and that’s before you tip your valet.
Luckily, there are several non-driving options available in Honolulu, such as:
  • The Bus: Honolulu’s public bus system is an affordable and easy transportation option
  • Rideshare: Companies like Lyft and Uber operate in Honolulu
  • Car share. The
    Hui Car Share
    allows you to borrow a car
If you’re planning a day trip to the North Shore, then renting a car in Oahu is a great idea! You’ll be able to see the island as you drive, and if you return the car to the rental company when you arrive back in town, you won’t have to pay for that expensive overnight parking.
If you do rent a car in Oahu, make sure you’ve got good
car insurance
. The rental company will offer you coverage, but if you have car insurance at home, you may be covered for the rental as well. Be sure to check with your provider to see what your policy covers.
To get the best rates on car insurance, just use the
Jerry
app. Jerry compares your insurance coverage with quotes from over 50 top providers. Jerry can even help you cancel your old policy and finalize your new one—all within the app!
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