Big Island Car Rentals
HAWAII - The Big Island
Exploring Hawaii’s Big Island in a car rental is the best way to see everything you want to see. The largest of the Hawaiian Islands is also the youngest. It’s home to 10 of the world’s different climate zones, from Tropical Continuously Wet to Periglacial with 8 zones in between. There is no other comparison on Earth as far as complex climate diversity in such a small area. Planning a road trip on the Big Island with a car from Discount Hawaii Car Rental is a wonderful way to explore its numerous climates and landscapes.
The Big Island has two distinct seasons. The winter months (November through April) are warm, with daytime highs up to 80°F and lows down to the mid-60s. For those who do not like the heat, the cooler months are January and February.
Summer brings temperatures up to 8 degrees warmer, with July to September having the highest temperatures. The east side of the island receives less sun and tends to be a few degrees cooler than the sunnier west side.
If you enjoy beaches and swimming, the water temperatures here are usually between 75°F and 82°F.
Car Rental Locations on the Big Island
Airport Locations
Hawaii (The Big Island)
The Island of Hawai’i
Hawaii, USA
Choosing a Rental Car on The Big Island of Hawaii
Secure the best Big Island car rental from Discount Hawaii Car Rental to navigate Hawaii’s largest island. This does not mean it has to be a four-wheel drive (4WD) vehicle, but it needs to be a good fit for your vacation. We recommend renting your car at one of the two main airports, Kona International Airport (KOA) or Hilo Intl Airport (ITO), for ease and convenience, but car rentals are also available at other locations.
If you are traveling with your spouse and plan to spend most of your time around Kona, you’ll want a smaller car, like a convertible, luxury car, or economy car. Larger groups ready to explore every aspect of the island require a more spacious rental, such as an SUV or van. Choose what works best for your trip—your Hawaii Island car rental is a big part of planning.
Check with your fellow travelers to get a good idea of how you want to use your rental car. The car must be large enough to include passengers and luggage to and from the airport, as well as guests and gear when visiting the Big Island beaches and other excursions.
The size of your travel group and luggage must be considered carefully when choosing a Big Island car rental. Our customer service agents are happy to help you select the best rental car for your trip and answer any questions about the rental process.
Quick Facts About Hawaii Big Island
- Largest and youngest of the Hawaiian Islands
- Also known as the “Orchid Isle”
- Ranching and agriculture are two of the Big Island’s main industries
- Kilauea Caldera is the longest continuously erupting volcano in the world
- Average annual rainfall ranges from 10 inches on the Kohala Coast to 128 inches in Hilo
Things to Do on Hawaii (The Big Island)
Mauna Kea is the tallest oceanic mountain in the world, and catching a beautiful sunset and stargazing from the summit is a must-do. To get to Mauna Kea, you can drive your Big Island car rental as far as the Ellison Onizuka Visitor’s Center. You must book a tour if you want to continue further. At the mountain’s peak, view the incredible sunset, photograph the stars, and gaze at planets and stars through a powerful telescope—you may even encounter snow!
Have an adventurous spirit? Consider camping, whale watching, snorkeling, kayaking, or a manta ray snorkeling tour.
Volcanoes are another must-see on the Big Island. We recommend driving to the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and the surrounding areas to see some of the most unique and amazing geographical landscapes in the world. The park encompasses the summits of Kilauea and Mauna Loa—two of the world’s most active volcanoes.
The town of Kailua-Kona is home to restaurants, nightlife, shopping, and endless activities and tours. It’s a great place to anchor yourself for your Hawaii vacation, but we recommend renting a car if you want to go anywhere outside of Kona.
On the northeast side of the island is Hilo. Hilo gets a lot of rainfall, blessing the area with dramatic waterfalls, luscious rainforests, and gorgeous gardens. The downtown area has plenty of museums, art galleries, shops, and restaurants.
A visit to the Puna District is a worthwhile trip in your Hawaii Island car rental. It’s located south of Hilo on the windward side of the Big Island, resembling a large greenhouse with very lush green surroundings. It is known for its heated tide pools, freshwater springs, and sometimes cold or hot spring water bubbling from the ground. The landscape features rugged coastlines and lava fields.
You can enjoy many of the same outdoor activities you would find on other islands, like air and helicopter tours, boat tours, fishing, snorkeling, diving, and golfing, to name a few.
CAR RENTALS ON THE BIG ISLAND FAQs
Since there are road restrictions, most standard Hawaii Island car rentals are only allowed to the Mauna Kea Visitor Information Center. A four-wheel drive (4WD) vehicle is required to get to the summit due to the mountain’s unpaved, steep paths.
Driving is the best way to navigate the Big Island of Hawaii, and a rental car will get you anywhere you need to go. The island has 6 main regions, each unique in climate and landscape. The regions are spread apart and have paved roads.
Prices for a Big Island car rental vary depending on the season, car rental location, and company. Since rates vary, it is always wise to determine your needs:
- Size of vehicle
- Number of passengers
- Number of drivers
- Is there a young driver between 20 and 24 years of age?
- What country is the driver’s license from?
- Pick-up and drop-off dates
- Pick-up and drop-off location
Cities on the Big Island
Waikoloa
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