Vacations are supposed to be time to unwind, recharge your batteries, and spend quality time with loved ones. On Maui, there are plenty of activities to help get you on island time. Whether you choose beaching, snorkeling, hiking, going out to eat, and/or watching a sunset, you can’t go wrong. But, if you are like many visitors to Maui, and not familiar with the stress of island traffic and tight parking spaces at nearly every shopping center and/or beach park, we’re here to answer your questions and guide you. Is there a better option than renting a car on Maui? Is there a more fun, clean, and economical way? Is there a car rental alternative when vacationing on Maui?
The answer is yes! You can do a trip to the Valley Isle without a Maui car rental. For a carefree, fun, and easy to explore Maui, try these proven alternatives to car rental Maui, Hawaii.
Street Legal, Electric Golf Carts – Beat Inflation by Saving Money at the Pump
Did you know that you can rent a street legal golf cart on Maui? Yes, now you can take your vacation to the next level of fun and ease with all electric golf carts. Island EV’s 4 and 6 seat golf carts rent by the day or week. They are registered and permitted to drive on all roads with 35 mph and under posted. This means you can cruise Wailea-Makena, Kihei, Lahaina, Launiupoko, as well as north Kaanapali to Kapalua. With a foldable backseat, you can haul your cooler, beach chairs, groceries, umbrella, and more to and from the beach, farmer’s market, or shopping trip.
Plus, you don’t have to worry about filling up the gas tank (almost $6 a gallon – Ouch!). All you need is a 110 outlet with the provided extension cord. This is ideal for family reunions, girlfriend getaways, and celebrating x, y, or z. Read why other travelers are choosing electric golf carts on Maui.
Book with Tour Operators - Haleakala National Park and Road to Hana
Although sunrise or sunset at the summit of Haleakala National Park and the world renowned Road to Hana are spectacular trips, they are extremely exhausting. The Road to Hana is a six-hour round trip without many stops from the OGG airport. You must add more time to get from West or South Maui locations like Kihei, Wailea, Lahaina, or Kapalua. Likewise Haleakala National Park is 10,000 feet up a windy road that also starts close to the OGG airport. It takes a couple of hours to drive up and down with sunrise at 5-6 am and sunset from 5:30-7:00pm (pictured above). Most of the drive will be in the dark and the summit very chilly. Bring blankets and layers. With that being said, why not book a tour to drive you and your family. You can sit back and relax taking in the beauty of the waterfalls, lush vegetation, and/or the endangered nenes in the National Park. Some of the best tour operators to choose from are Hawaii Tours, Skyline Tours, and Temptation Tours.
Use a Rideshare App
If you haven’t heard of Uber or Lift, we would be worried about you. As you may know, they have been and are the most widely used rideshare apps in the United States if not the world. And, they have been wildly successful here. However, Maui offers you another option to get you from your accommodations to dinner and back with the locally operated Holoholo rideshare. You may even catch an epic sunset shot like above while you wait for your ride!
Choose an Convenient Location – West Maui, South Maui, & Paia
One of the smartest ways to avoid a car rental in Maui is to select a convenient location – one that has your favorite places close by and needs no car/vehicle to get you the essentials. Some of the best locations from beaches and shopping to entertainment and dining are in Wailea, Kihei, Lahaina, Kaanapali (shown above), Kapalua, and Paia. You can’t go wrong. Walk, bike, shuffle, or cruise a golf cart to enjoy Maui from an urban-island perspective.
Maui’s Public Bus and Shuttles
In Hawaii and Maui specifically, we are trying to make our transportation as green as possible. That can be done with electric vehicles, electric golf carts, and mass transit. Maui does have a very nice bus system, but you need to be patient. The routes are not as frequent as in New York, Boston, or Chicago. Plus, they start fairly early in the morning, but don’t go late into the evening. You can get from Wailea and Kihei to the Aquarium and switch routes to go into Lahaina or Wailuku. Just be aware of the schedule which you can view online.
So, the Valley Isle can be done in stellar vacation style without a car rental Maui. These alternatives to car rental Maui should get you and your family around easy, quickly, and in an eco-friendly way. Plus, you aren’t paying for it at the gas pump (more money for luaus, ziplining, and shave ice).