What is the Best Way to Get Around in Maui?

Maui, known for its stunning natural landscapes and exotic wildlife, is a top destination for millions of travelers each year. As tourists prepare for their journey to the “Valley Isle,” a common question arises: “What’s the best way to get around Maui?” Fortunately, there’s a variety of transportation choices available to visitors of Maui that will get them all over the island. In this post, we’ll explore the best ways to travel around Maui.

Choosing Your Transportation Based on Destination

The decision of how to travel during your trip to Maui depends on your intended destinations on the island. Those staying in larger Maui resorts often find ample amenities, walking paths, shuttle services, and bike rentals within easy reach. This means you might not require any additional transportation as long as you stay in the resort area. However, for those aiming to visit remote sites like Haleakalā National Park or the Road to Hana, opting for a vehicle or a guided tour becomes necessary. Once your destinations are decided, finding the best way to get around Maui is much easier.

Choose a Motor Vehicle for Optimal Flexibility

Renting a car, truck, SUV, or motorcycle offers the freedom to explore Maui at your own pace, especially with a 4×4 or AWD vehicle for the island’s unpaved roads and rural areas. But due to rising rental costs, environmental concerns, and increasing traffic, many visitors are seeking alternative modes of transportation.

Alternative Ways to Travel Around Maui

Guided Tours

Perfect for those who prefer not to drive, guided tours offer an immersive experience at Maui’s major attractions like Ka’anapali Beach, Wailea Beach, Mount Haleakalā, Hana, and more. Options range from bus tours to bike trips and even helicopter rides, most with local guides leading the way. Don’t miss out on this fun and educational way to experience Maui!

Walking

A healthy and free option, walking allows you to savor Maui’s breathtaking vistas within resort areas and towns. Many locations boast walking paths and sidewalks, and some resorts offer paths to nearby establishments, promoting intermingling among guests without the need for a car.

Biking

Ideal for getting around resort areas and coastal towns, biking is an eco-friendly choice. Maui boasts numerous paved and marked bike paths, particularly in the city of Kihei, which makes biking easier than ever. Bikes are available for rent at many outdoor stores, hotels, and resorts. Take the ride to the next level with guided and self-paced bicycle tours in breathtaking locations around the island.

Public Transportation

The Maui Bus service provides an extensive and affordable network of public bus stops, mainly covering central and western Maui. Despite some disruptions due to the 2023 wildfires, most routes remain operational, offering a unique way to explore the island like a local.

Shuttles & Taxis

A variety of shuttle and taxi services are available for transportation to and from the airports, popular tourist destinations, and even secluded locations around the island. Strike up a conversation with your shuttle or taxi driver along the way and you might score some tips on hidden gems too!

Ride Apps

Ride-hailing services like Uber and Lyft are accessible in populated areas but can be pricey and have longer wait times during peak seasons. Turo is an interesting option for those who want a rental vehicle but don’t want to deal with one of the big rental companies. Instead, Maui locals can rent their vehicles out to tourists via the Turo website, often for cheaper than the big guys. Turo also features RV, camper, and off-road vehicle rentals.

Air Travel

An unconventional but efficient method is flying from one island airport to another. This cuts travel time significantly and offers stunning aerial views of Maui, with affordable round-trip tickets from Kahului to Hana starting at just over $100 per person during the off-season.

Travel Around Maui Like a Local

With careful planning, you can plan a trip to Maui with the best transportation for your destinations, schedule, and budget. Whether you choose to rent a vehicle for the flexibility and freedom or engage in the variety of guided tours and eco-friendly transit available, your Maui vacation promises to be the experience of a lifetime.

Take a Guided or Self-Paced Bike Tour of Mount Haleakalā

For an unparalleled adventure on Mount Haleakalā, Mountain Riders is Maui’s premier guided and self-paced bike tour service. Find out more and book your sunrise, pre-dawn, or daytime tour by calling 808 877-4944 or visiting our website.