Do I Need to Rent a Car to Visit Kauai?

Do you need to rent a car to see Kauai? Read on.

There’s no doubt that Kauai is one of the most beautiful destinations in the world. With lush greenery, breathtaking beaches and alluring canyons, the ‘Garden Isle’ is certainly a paradise for nature lovers. But with its relatively remote location and lack of public transportation, do you need to rent a car to visit Kauai? We find out below.

Kalalau Lookout, Kauai

Hanalei Valley Lokout, Kauai

RELATED BLOG POST: Things to do in Kauai

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Renting a Car in Kauai versus Going on a Tour

Cliffs Trail, Kauai

Most people visit Kauai by renting a car. With its wide, winding roads and chill atmosphere, Kauai is the perfect time to take a car out and simply cruise down a highway with the wind in your hair. However, renting a car is expensive and can be confusing.

Asher in awe of the Waimea Canyon

For example, when we rented our car, we were hit with a surprise car insurance cost upon checking in at the car rental counter. Silly us for not doing our research, but we didn’t think that car rental insurance would cost us more than the cost of renting the actual car for 7 days – but it did – and actually, it cost us double!

View of the Na Pali Coastline

Not to mention, fuel prices are expensive over in the United States. Driving in Kauai is relatively smooth, but it does have its cons. The drives around the island can be long, and traffic can get surprisingly heavy during busy seasons. Plus, we’re from Australia and at that point, had never driven on the right hand side of the road – it definitely took a few days to get adjusted and get over the initial fear!

Kilauea Lighthouse, Kauai

While it’s completely doable for a lot of travellers, driving in Kauai is not going to be suitable for all. Whether it’s from a lack of driving experience of fear of unsafe roads, sometimes, leaving it another person’s hands is the best way to go. Unfortunately, the lack of public transport in Kauai pretty much rules this out as a viable option. This is where going on a tour of Kauai can really come in handy.

Queen’s Bath, Kauai

Not only do some tours take you through the majority of Kauai’s highlights, some of them also offer unforgettable, novel experiences such as helicopter and boat rides.

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Handpicked Kauai Tours

Wailua Falls, Kauai

Kauai is a popular destination for travellers all across the world, and there are so many tours of the Garden Isle. We’ve narrowed down the best choices out there by handpicking the best reviewed, safest and best experiences for you. Check them out:

Hanapepe Valley, Kauai

Land Tours

• South & East Kauai Complete Tour – Legends & Waterfalls – Tour the South and East coast of Kauai by visiting star attractions such as Wailua River, Wailua Falls, Menehune Fishpond and Spouting Horn on this 6-hour road tour.

• West Coast Tour – Waimea Canyon, Koke’e State Park and Hanapepe – Visit Kauai’s West Coast by visiting some of Kauai’s most famous attractions, such as Waimea Canyon and Hanapepe on this 9-hour tour.

• Waimea Canyon and South Side Private Guided Tour – gain a deeper insight into Kauai’s most remarkable attraction, Waimea Canyon. Includes stops at Kalalau Lookout, Poipu Beach Park and Spouting Horn.

View of Wailua River in Kauai

Water Tours

• Deluxe Na Pali Sunset Tour – explore by snorkel and watch a magical sunset on this deluxe cruise.

• Wailua River and Secret Falls Kayak and Hiking Tour – On this combined kayak and land tour, you’ll get adventurous as you take on the stunning Wailua River by Kayak, and then go hiking.

• Hanalei Bay Kayak and Snorkel Tour – Explore the alluring Hanalei Bay, both above the water and underwater on this 5-hour tour.

View of Waimea Canyon

Helicopter Tours

• Kauai Eco Adventure Helicopter Tour – This is the ultimate helicopter experience, which will take you above rain-soaked Mt Waialeale, amazing waterfalls and above the Na Pali Coast.

• Entire Kauai Island 1 Hour Air Tour – This short helicopter tour is perfect for those who want air time, but are on a budget.

Poipu Beach Park, Kauai

Activity Tours

• Koloa Zipline Tour – This Zip line tour is for thrill-seekers who want to go ziplining in paradise! Highly recommended.

• Best Kauai Food Tour – Get a taste for Kauai’s best local food on this tour.

Ralph around the Waimea Canyon area

Airport Transfer

• Shared Airport Transfer from Kauai International Airport – this affordable airport shuttle takes you to various areas on the island – Lihue, Port Allen, Waimea and Princeville.

Final Verdict – Do I need to Rent a Car in Kauai?

Viewpoint at Waimea Canyon

The short is answer is no, you don’t need to rent a car in Kauai. While convenient, there are plenty of experiences that will keep you busy for a long time, even if you don’t rent a car.

Menehune Fishpond, Kauai

Hiking life in Kauai

Whether it’s going on a boat tour or a helicopter ride, or touring the Garden Isle by car – you can still see so much of it without renting a car. So if faced with a choice to go to Kauai without renting a car or not going at all, the answer is really simple – visit anyway! Kauai is hands down one of the most beautiful, natural places I’ve ever been to.

Kauai’s hiking trails are some of the best in the world.

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