Do You Need a Rental Car on the Big Island?
Yes, a rental car is close to essential on the Big Island. As the largest of the Hawaiian islands by a wide margin, its resort areas, towns, and attractions are spread across genuinely distinct districts, the Kona side, the Kohala Coast, and the Hilo side, that sit far enough apart to make public transit and walking impractical for most visitors.
The island's size changes the math
Unlike Maui or Oahu, where most resort areas and attractions sit within a relatively compact stretch of coastline, the Big Island's key destinations are separated by real distance and, in places, a change in climate and terrain along the way. Getting from the Kohala Coast resort corridor to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, for example, means crossing a meaningful portion of the island, not a short local hop.
Kona side versus Hilo side versus the Kohala Coast
The Kona side (Kailua-Kona and the drier, sunnier west coast), the Kohala Coast resort corridor to its north, and the wetter, greener Hilo side to the east each have their own distinct character, restaurants, and attractions. Without a car, a visitor is effectively limited to whichever one district they're staying in, missing much of what makes the island worth visiting in the first place.
Public transit and rideshare have real limits here
The Big Island has some public bus service and rideshare availability in and around its main towns, but coverage is far thinner and less frequent than on Oahu or even Maui, and it does not reliably connect the resort corridor to farther-flung attractions like the volcano or the island's more remote beaches. Rideshare wait times can also run long outside of the main resort areas.
When you might get away without one
A traveler planning to stay entirely within one resort community, using its pools, beach, and restaurants without venturing out, could reasonably skip a rental car and rely on the resort itself plus the occasional rideshare. For anyone hoping to see more than one side of the island, though, a rental car is the practical choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a rental car necessary on the Big Island?
For most travelers, yes. The Big Island is the largest of the Hawaiian islands, and its main areas, the Kona side, the Kohala Coast resort corridor, and the Hilo side, sit far enough apart that a rental car is generally the only practical way to see more than one of them.
Can I get around the Big Island with rideshare alone?
Rideshare is available in and around the island's main towns, but coverage thins out considerably away from those areas and doesn't reliably reach farther attractions like Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, so it isn't a dependable substitute for a rental car for most itineraries.
Does KBM Resorts offer a rental car with a Big Island stay?
KBM Resorts offers a complimentary rental car program for guests staying a qualifying number of nights on select Hawaii stays, so it's worth checking with KBM on your specific reservation.
Explore Big Island
- Halii Kai (HLI-12A), Kohala Coast
- Fairway Villas Waikoloa (FVW-L32)
- Big Island vacation rentals
- Guest FAQ: rental car program
Have a question we haven't answered here? Visit our Hawaii & Park City vacation rental FAQ.