Car Rental Kona Airport
Hawaii Car Rental Providers
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Kona International Airport (KOA) is located at Keahole, about seven miles northwest of Kailua-Kona. This airport services international, domestic, overseas, and inter-island flights, as well as commuter/air taxi and general aviation flights. All of the KOA car rental agencies are located right on airport grounds and are accessible by taking the car rental shuttles to their locations.
Officially called Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport, this airport consists of little open-air terminals. Much of the runway system, which consists of one 11,000-foot runway, is built on top of a relatively recent lava flow and is the second-longest runway in the Hawaiian Islands. Near the airport is the Natural Laboratory of Hawaii Authority (NEHLA), and the aquaculture ponds and solar energy experiments can be seen during takeoff and landing. There is no public transportation system in the Kona area, making rental cars the standard option for travelers.
BEST TYPE OF CAR RENTALS IN KONA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (KOA)
Of all the rental cars Kona, Keahole Airport can offer you, a Jeep rental or a convertible are incredibly popular options. These are both fun vehicles and will allow you to experience the sights and sounds of Hawaii as you travel down the road. Keep in mind, if it starts to rain, the convertible would be a better option, as you can put the top up or down with the push of a button. The Jeep Wranglers, both 2-door and 4-door, mostly have a T-Top if they have a removable top at all, and you will have to pull over and put the top on yourself in the rain. This is not necessarily a big concern, but if you are staying in a hotel on the rainier side of the island, you might not want the top down.
Consider the size of your party, and what you would like to see and do before you decide on which type of car rental Kona Airport vendors can provide for you. If you are planning on doing a lot of driving and sightseeing every day and you have 4-5 people, the smaller vehicles may not be very comfortable, as they fill up fast. There is also not much space for luggage to and from the airport. If you are planning on staying put in a resort area, a smaller vehicle, such as a mid-size, may be a perfect choice, as it doesn’t usually cost as much, and will get you where you need to go.
If you are planning a trip up Mauna Kea to the visitor’s center, any car rental Kona Airport has available will get you there. None of the KOA rental car companies will allow you to take their vehicles past the visitors center, so if you are looking forward to a trip to the top, you may have to book a tour to get that far.
When you look at the car choices available and the rates on our website, you might be surprised to see a van rental at a lower price than a compact car rental at Kona Keahole airport — this may mean that a certain car rental company is offering special deals or sales at that time. If you need a larger vehicle or a luxury car, this is the time to book that option, as the prices could change next time you look. Of course, this can mean you get an even lower price on an economy option at a Kona Airport car rental!
We, at Discount Hawaii Car Rental, always recommend that you book a rental car at Kona Keahole Airport on your first search of the website so you can hold a rate, as prices do fluctuate with the car companies, and can go up or down closer to your date of arrival, depending on how many cars are available, and whether or not you are traveling during peak seasons.
If you are traveling to attend “Iron Man”, you may want to book your car rental at Kona Airport way in advance, as that season is almost always a sell-out for the car companies. An SUV rental in Kona, Hawaii, would be a good choice if you have passengers and a bike to transport as well.
WHAT'S AVAILABLE AT KONA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (KOA)?
Most travelers to the Big Island tend to stay on the west side, and this is where the larger airport is located. Duty-free shops, restaurants, banking services, and specialty shopping are all available at this KOA Airport location. There are some International and overseas flights arriving here, and many interisland flights bringing international travelers into Kona via Oahu.
KONA AIRPORT CAR RENTAL COMPANIES
Car rental companies available at the Kona airport include Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National, and Thrifty. Each KOA car rental company has a shuttle that will pick up customers from the airport and transport them over to the Kona car rental counters.
KOA has an open-air pavilion design, and is home to the Ellison S. Onizuka Space Center, located near baggage claim. This little gem is dedicated to Kona native and first Asian-American in space, Ellison S. Onizuka, who lost his life on the Space Shuttle Challenger mission, January 28, 1986. This is a great way to spend some time while waiting for your flight.
Passengers with special needs can request assistance from the porter service, where wheelchairs and other needs can be handled. All restrooms are equipped for passengers with special needs. If you have any disabilities and will need specialized equipment for your car rental on this Hawaii Island, please let us know well in advance so we can arrange installation and make sure your car rental at Kona Airport is waiting when you arrive. Some car companies carry more specialized equipment, and we are able to make those arrangements for you.
Tips for Renting a Car at Kailua-Kona Airport
- Whenever you pick up a rental car, Kona Keahole Airport vendors will require that you have your driver’s license with you. If you are traveling from another country, and your driver’s license is not in English, you may also need an International Driver’s Permit. This will not replace your driver’s license, but will be in addition to it.
- When you book any car rental KOA Airport has, pay attention to the specific rental company you use. You will then look for that shuttle when you go outside after you have collected your luggage. Take your confirmation number and/or email from us with the confirmation # and all of the pricing details with you. This way, you can make sure the costs are the same as when you booked. Always double-check the pricing before you sign the rental agreement at the counter. Question any extra charges.
- If you have any extra drivers that need to be added to your Kailua-Kona airport car rental, make sure they come with you to the counter, and have their driver’s license with them. They will need that to sign onto your car rental.
- If any drivers are between the ages of 20-24 years of age, there are some restrictions, so make sure you have booked the proper car – some cars are off limits to young drivers, or drivers with a debit card.
- There is no need to rent a special vehicle here. Any car rental Kona Keahole Airport has in stock will get you where you want to go, except to the top of Mauna Kea, and no car company will allow you to drive that far up the mountain. Choose your best Hawaii car rental option at Kona Airport by fitting in your “must-have” options based on the numbers and sizes of passengers and luggage. Look for the best-priced vehicles for your passengers, including extra drivers, where required, and the best young driver rates for 20-24-year-olds.
Kona International Airport Information
73-200 Kupipi Street Kailua-Kona, HI 96740-2645
(808) 327-9520
http://airports.hawaii.gov/koa/
Kona Airport car rental companies are all located right on airport grounds, and are accessible by shuttle from the airport terminal. Each car company group has a shuttle that will pick up customers from the airport and transport them over to the Kona car rental counters.
You will find Alamo Rent a Car, Avis Car Rental, Budget Rent A Car, Dollar Rent A Car, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Payless Car Rental, and Thrifty Car Rental — all located within the same area at the Kona International Airport. Each car company will have its own car rental hours, which will be the hours of operation, and our system will only allow you to book your best car rental for Kona Keahole Airport when they are open.
CAR RENTALS IN KONA AIRPORT (KOA) FAQs
Yes, as there is no local transportation system, you will either need to use a taxi or a shuttle service. A KOA car rental is, therefore, the best option.
Prices will vary depending on the car company, the type of car you book, the length of your stay, and the season you are traveling in. During high season, prices are often much higher than in the lower seasons. Holidays can be quite expensive for car rentals at Kona Keahole Airport, and they are sometimes hard to find. Cheap car rentals in Kona, Hawaii Airport can often be found by booking early. It’s best to book as soon as you have purchased your tickets and know your arrival and departure times. If you’ve forgotten to reserve a car rental at KOA Airport, we may be able to help, so please get in touch.
We always recommend you book your first Kona car rental as soon as you get your airline tickets booked. Even if your trip is many months away, it is best to lock in a car rental in KOA while the supply is abundant for your dates and times. You can always come back to our website and re-check prices and choose better options for a Kona airport car rental if they become available (and yes, sometimes they do!). It is free to book and free to cancel any reservation with us. This is the best way to make sure you reserve the best rental car Kona Keahole Airport has for your needs, so you can peacefully take in the best of Kona and the Big Island.
Book a rental car at Kona Airport (KOA) today and start discovering Hawaii!
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