Aulani transportation

[slowly]

I just returned from Aulani. Definitely rent a car. There is one mini-mall with a mini-mart and two take out places (Just Tacos and a plate lunch place) across the street. There is also a couple of resorts nearby. But that's it. The nearest community with a Target and Costco is Kapolei which is six miles away. Airport is about 11 miles away. Waikiki is about 20 miles away.

True, 11 miles but it can take 45 mins in rush hour traffic on a good day. Without traffic about 20 mins. I live Ewa, welcome to my world!

 

[blizzards39]

True, 11 miles but it can take 45 mins in rush hour traffic on a good day. Without traffic about 20 mins. I live Ewa, welcome to my world!

How long does it take to go from waikiki to Aulani?

Do I understand corectly that DVC members get free parking for there whole stay at Aulani?

 

[beachbunny]

Waikiki to Aulani. Depends on whether or not it is rush hour, and what direction you're heading. If you are going from Aulani to Waikiki in the morning or from Waikiki to Aulani in the evening, you're going to get stuck in some really nasty traffic because most of Oahu lives on the west side and works in town. I'd guess 45 minutes without traffic or an hour and a half with traffic. The two are about 25 miles apart.

 

[slowly]

How long does it take to go from waikiki to Aulani?

Do I understand corectly that DVC members get free parking for there whole stay at Aulani?

From Waikiki without traffic-45min, with would be about 1 hr to 15min.

Yes, parking is free for DVC members!

 

[stlrod]

For what it's worth, I've found much more reasonable pricing through Enterprise by renting at one of the off-airport locations. I was looking at pricing over the holidays and most companies wanted over $100 per day for an economy car. I was able to cut it down to about $50 per day for a premium. There is some hassle involved (you need to taxi from aiport to location.) For me, the hassle is worth it. I chose a location near Ala Moana mall because we plan on ending our stay with 2 nights in Waikiki and I can just return it there and then take a private car or taxi to the airport.

 

[emilymad]

Waikiki to Aulani. Depends on whether or not it is rush hour, and what direction you're heading. If you are going from Aulani to Waikiki in the morning or from Waikiki to Aulani in the evening, you're going to get stuck in some really nasty traffic because most of Oahu lives on the west side and works in town. I'd guess 45 minutes without traffic or an hour and a half with traffic. The two are about 25 miles apart.

What hours are considered rush hour? Thanks!

 

[PinMan]

what kind of car and what was the price ? where did you rent it from ? if you pay for it with a amex do you need the insurance ?

 

[stlrod]

For what it's worth, I've found much more reasonable pricing through Enterprise by renting at one of the off-airport locations. I was looking at pricing over the holidays and most companies wanted over $100 per day for an economy car. I was able to cut it down to about $50 per day for a premium. There is some hassle involved (you need to taxi from aiport to location.) For me, the hassle is worth it. I chose a location near Ala Moana mall because we plan on ending our stay with 2 nights in Waikiki and I can just return it there and then take a private car or taxi to the airport.

Think I found a better and even less expensive way to handle my trip. I wanted to share in case any one else wants to check into doing something similar. There are private car shuttles which run from HNL to Aulani for about $60 per car and Alamo appears to have a counter at Aulani from which to rent cars. I can take the shuttles for about $120 plus tip round trip and then rent a full-size car from Alamo for about $135 for four days beginning the next morning after check-in (we won't be running out for groceries that first night anyway.) I may want to a car one other day during our trip to head up to the North Shore so I have also reserved a convertible for that day at a cost of $95. So, the total cost for my transportation for an 8 day stay will be will be around $340 (plus tips/gas) and the best part is I won't need to take a taxi to an off-airport location or lug a bunch of luggage on a rental car shuttle. For anyone interested, the Alamo code for the Aulani location is HNLR72.

 

[PrincessYessenia]

I'm not sure what everyone's dates are but ours are December 3rd through the 10th and we got a standard car from the airport for $164 total for the week

 

[TreesyB]

Think I found a better and even less expensive way to handle my trip. I wanted to share in case any one else wants to check into doing something similar. There are private car shuttles which run from HNL to Aulani for about $60 per car and Alamo appears to have a counter at Aulani from which to rent cars. I can take the shuttles for about $120 plus tip round trip and then rent a full-size car from Alamo for about $135 for four days beginning the next morning after check-in (we won't be running out for groceries that first night anyway.) I may want to a car one other day during our trip to head up to the North Shore so I have also reserved a convertible for that day at a cost of $95. So, the total cost for my transportation for an 8 day stay will be will be around $340 (plus tips/gas) and the best part is I won't need to take a taxi to an off-airport location or lug a bunch of luggage on a rental car shuttle. For anyone interested, the Alamo code for the Aulani location is HNLR72.

Hmm, I got a rental including tax for 7 days (1 week in November) at $318 (standard size) for the whole stay, so not sure that it's that much more of savings for the convenience of having a car available whenever we want. This was from National Emerald - using the Car & Driver Code that includes free additional driver, plus a coupon for $35 discount for week. I'm hoping to find something for half the price, but not holding my breath.

 

[stlrod]

Believe me, I know how to get good rates. It must just be because I am travelling over the holidays but the lowest rate I can find from HNL for 12/29-1/6 is $895 for a compact at budget. That may all change but at least I have a reasobable back-up plan now.

 

[TreesyB]

Believe me, I know how to get good rates. It must just be because I am travelling over the holidays but the lowest rate I can find from HNL for 12/29-1/6 is $895 for a compact at budget. That may all change but at least I have a reasobable back-up plan now.

Ouch! I'm crossing Aulani off my Christmas stays

 

[JLS]

If you do not rent a car at Aulani you are going to miss out on a lot of amazing things that the island has to offer. I can't imagine never venturing away from the resort while you are there, unless you have already seen everything on Oahu. It is a mistake, IMO, to spend thousands of dollars to fly to Hawaii and thousands to stay at Aulani and then skip a rental car and lock yourself out of a ton of great sightseeing because of a few hundred dollars for a car. Its expensive but its just part of the cost of going there.

 

[Anal Annie]

If you do not rent a car at Aulani you are going to miss out on a lot of amazing things that the island has to offer. I can't imagine never venturing away from the resort while you are there, unless you have already seen everything on Oahu. It is a mistake, IMO, to spend thousands of dollars to fly to Hawaii and thousands to stay at Aulani and then skip a rental car and lock yourself out of a ton of great sightseeing because of a few hundred dollars for a car. Its expensive but its just part of the cost of going there.

True - you need a car for Aulani but I can't imagine those who spend thousands of dollars to fly to Hawaii and then don't visit more than 1 island while they're there!! They are all different and if you don't spend the time & money to island hop to at least 1 or 2 more islands you've also not done yourself any favors. Hawaii is not a week long trip unless you've been many times before and you live on the West Coast where it's close enough to go more often.

 

[JLS]

I agree, Annie, that if you are coming all the way from the East Coast or points further away, a week is not going to seem like enough and certainly you would not be able to see more than one island. But the reality of people's vacation schedules and budgets probably means that most families will not do more than 7-10 days (1 workweek plus weekends). Hawaii is very expensive. The restaurants alone at Aulani are going to be more than many families can swing, but the good news is that you can always go to the grocery store in Kapolei and cook in your villa. We recently stayed for a week in Ko Olina at the Marriott and we only ate out twice.

A lot of these high cost concerns are one reason why I think that Aulani villas are going to be available at the 7 month mark. Many families - even those who buy at Aulani - are not going to be in a position to go to Hawaii every year given the really high airfare and food/car costs.

 

[JLS]

I agree, Annie, that if you are coming all the way from the East Coast or points further away, a week is not going to seem like enough and certainly you would not be able to see more than one island. But the reality of people's vacation schedules and budgets probably means that most families will not do more than 7-10 days (1 workweek plus weekends). Hawaii is very expensive. The restaurants alone at Aulani are going to be more than many families can swing, but the good news is that you can always go to the grocery store in Kapolei and cook in your villa. We recently stayed for a week in Ko Olina at the Marriott and we only ate out twice.

A lot of these high cost concerns are one reason why I think that Aulani villas are going to be available at the 7 month mark. Many families - even those who buy at Aulani - are not going to be in a position to go to Hawaii every year given the really high airfare and food/car costs.

 

[Donald Duck 57]

We are going for 11 days in January and rented a car from Dollar at the airport for 345.00 inc. taxes. Did alot of research and they were the cheapest. hope this helps someone looking to rent a car.

 

[TagsMissy]

I am going to Aulani in December as a DVC "guest" (renting points). I spoke to the folks at Aulani today and they confirmed that ONLY DVC members will be offered free self-park... This benefit will NOT be extended to DVC guests.

I'm hoping this might change over the next few months. Please keep me posted.

You aren't a guest but a renter.. a guest would be gifted the room for no cash compensation.... but that's here nor there for this,, even if you were a guest not a renter you don't have a blue DVC card which you are required to show for free parking.

 

[crisi]

If you do not rent a car at Aulani you are going to miss out on a lot of amazing things that the island has to offer. I can't imagine never venturing away from the resort while you are there, unless you have already seen everything on Oahu. It is a mistake, IMO, to spend thousands of dollars to fly to Hawaii and thousands to stay at Aulani and then skip a rental car and lock yourself out of a ton of great sightseeing because of a few hundred dollars for a car. Its expensive but its just part of the cost of going there.

I tend to agree. If we are going to spend the money to go to Hawaii, I need to really spend some time places other than the resort. Get to two islands - or more. Tour. See the islands. Drive around. Do a Luau. Try surfing. See a Polynesian cultural site. We did Maui and the Big Island in a little over a week.

Otherwise, if you want a nice beach, Mexico or the Carribean is way cheaper all the way around. And the resort areas aren't any more dangerous than Hawaii.

Hawaii is not an inexpensive vacation for most of us - even with DVC points. Maybe some folks on the West Coast can get cheap airfare. And if you dont go over holidays, car rental doesn't have to cost as much as buying a new car (but its still expensive compared to Orlando).

 

[rparmfamily]

Hawaii rental car rates drop drastically after Jan 2. It is like that every single year.