Car Rentals in Hilo and Kona

[cleobella]

Hi All,

 

We want to rent a car in Hilo and Kona in Dec. Our travel agent is suggesting Avis and in Kona the rental place is located at the airport. I've seen that lots of people use Thiftys and pick up at the King Kam Hotel. I am wondering if this is a better plan-does anyone know if the King Kam is more convenient then the airport? As well, what about Hilo? Is there a rental agency that we can walk to or a shuttle service?

Any info would be appreciated :)

[salty dingo]

We are going next week and had reserved with Hertz at the airport. I switched to Thrifty at the King Kam because it is right where you get off the tender. The drive to the airport and back on the shuttle can eat up precious time.

[kapoho2]

In Kona you definitely want to rent at the King Kamehameha Hotel. It is just steps from the tender pier in Kona. The airport is quite a few miles down the highway and there can be significant traffic on the highway.

 

In Hilo, all of the major car rental agencies are there at the airport. The airport is very close to the cruise pier and there are shuttles that run constantly between the pier and the rental desks at the airport.

[teacherman]

In Hilo, we are renting from Enterprise. They are near to the pier, I believe, but not at the airport. In Kona, they also have an office on Luhia Street, close to the pier. They have shuttles in both places. But, we are renting from Dollar at the King Kam Hotel. We booked very far ahead to make sure of a reservation, but kept checking every few months and noticed some price drops, so we re-booked at the lower price. Hope it all works out for us (and you).

[cleobella]

Thanks so much for the advice. Hope we all have great trips!

[Budget Queen]

Hi All,

 

We want to rent a car in Hilo and Kona in Dec. Our travel agent is suggesting Avis and in Kona the rental place is located at the airport. I've seen that lots of people use Thiftys and pick up at the King Kam Hotel. I am wondering if this is a better plan-does anyone know if the King Kam is more convenient then the airport? As well, what about Hilo? Is there a rental agency that we can walk to or a shuttle service?

Any info would be appreciated :)

 

Sorry, your agent doesn't know what they are talking about in Kona. Do NOT consider any airport rental car there. Bottom line. (and educate your agent :) )

 

In Hilo I have rented from Thrifty several times. Shuttle right from the dock.

[Raison]

We have booked with Enterprise in Kona.

 

My understanding is that they don't have a shuttle, but ask you to ring them when you get on the tender and they will then come and pick you up at the pier.

 

Does anyone know if this is correct? I read earlier in this thread that they have a shuttle?

[pizzalady1]

We have booked with Enterprise in Kona.

 

My understanding is that they don't have a shuttle, but ask you to ring them when you get on the tender and they will then come and pick you up at the pier.

 

Does anyone know if this is correct? I read earlier in this thread that they have a shuttle?

 

We reached the tender pier about 7:45am called them exactly at 8am when they opened. They picked us up in a van, along with two other couples around 8:1am at the big banyon tree by the pier. Their office was about 5-6 minutes away. We had no problems and they were way less expensive than a King Kam rental.

[Tampa Girl]

Sorry, your agent doesn't know what they are talking about in Kona. Do NOT consider any airport rental car there. Bottom line. (and educate your agent :) )

 

In Hilo I have rented from Thrifty several times. Shuttle right from the dock.

 

 

We will be flying into Kona, however, on a pre-cruise visit. Does your advice still hold about not renting at the airport?

[kapoho2]

If you are flying into Kona then you would definitely want to rent a car at the airport. All of the major car rental companies are represented there. And, you will probably get a little better deal.

[Sunny AZ Girl]

We are trying to decide on renting a car in Hilo or taking a tour for the day. Any advice for renting our own car vs a tour? If the roads are very difficult to drive in VNP DH would prefer to take a tour.

[Budget Queen]

We are trying to decide on renting a car in Hilo or taking a tour for the day. Any advice for renting our own car vs a tour? If the roads are very difficult to drive in VNP DH would prefer to take a tour.

 

Depends what you want?? It is darn simple to drive to Volcanos National Park. And plenty of touring information available . http://www.nps.gov/havo/