Carless at Aulani? How is the shuttle?

[pamelaj]

Hi Everyone,

We own DVC points for Aulani and have been there multiple times. Each time, we have rented a car for $200-$400 for about a week and a half. I have read about the rental car shortage, but I thought it would be resolved sooner than it appears now. We are scheduled to be there in mid-December, coming home before the holidays. I checked rental car prices today and I'm getting at least $1200/8 days. Ouch. So, I wondering, 1. Any tips on good rental car options available now? We've used Discount Hawaii Car Rental before, but now luck no. Car rental is my first choice.

2. If we take a taxi/shuttle from the airport and plan on lots of resort time, can I take the Aulani shuttle/taxi to the grocery store easily? Are they still readily available in these crazy times?

3. If we want to get out for a day or two, are there cars available from the Aulani rental counter? I tried searching their site and just got error messages today.

4. Any other related tips? Anyone had recent luck with buses? We are good with lots of resort time, walking to nearby restaurants and activities, but don't want to feel stuck at the resort.

Thank you!
Pamela

 

[Great3]

I never used any of these companies before, but I read about Car Hui rental share (seems to have to do with Toyota), Turo car share rental, and Lucky Owl car rental local in Oahu.

I been checking all these alternatives companies out for car rental, but prices are still high, but better than the big names car rentals companies at airport. Again, no endorsement, I don't have any personal experiences with above named car rental providers, but we are in the same boat, dealing with unexpected sky high car rental pricing.

The only reasonable price I find at the big companies is using the pre-negotiated corporate rate, so if anybody in your travel party works for a company, try to find out if the company has a corporate contract with Avis, Hertz, National, etc... and book thru the company travel portal. Obviously, be prepare to show ids, proof of employment with the company, etc... if you going thru their corporate contract.

I am personally still worry about my car rental booked using my company discount travel code, that somehow when I arrive, there's no car still, since they gave it all away to higher price paying customers, so we shall see. Although I like the Ko Olina area better, for the first time, I am glad I am staying in Waikiki for my next trip in Sept, so that if we do end up carless somehow, we won't be as stuck to the resort as when being in the Ko Olina area.

Good Luck with the car situation for yourself.

Great3

 

[nkereina]

can I take the Aulani shuttle/taxi to the grocery store easily? Are they still readily available in these crazy times?

Does Aulani operate its own shuttle? I looked online and all it says is that shuttles operate at reduced capacity because of covid, and it lists two external for-cost shuttle services, which I assume you'd have to pre-book. If I didn't have a car, I would either Uber to Kapolei to get to the grocery store or I would make do with the Island Market across the street.

3. If we want to get out for a day or two, are there cars available from the Aulani rental counter?

The Alamo counter at Aulani is temporarily closed. It remains to be seen if it will re-open by December - probably depends on the supply and demand of rental cars. They were closed because of hotel capacities/covid, but now I assume they can't operate because of the shortage. They would sometimes run out of rental cars even before the shortage. If they do re-open before your trip, I would suggest reserving a couple days because chances are good they will run out if you try to do same day.


I know $1200 feels excessive, especially since its $800 more than you usually pay, but consider what your actual savings is by the time you pay for roundtrip airport shuttles, taxis/ubers to grocery stores and other locations. Also consider the value of your time - trying to take a bus or even ordering an Uber will be time consuming and eat up your limited amount of vacation time. Personally, another $500 (give or take) is a drop in the bucket compared to the expenses of a Hawaiian vacation. It would be worth it to me to spend that since it so greatly enhances your time there. Fingers crossed prices come down after summer travel though!

 

[dreamit]

Do you have a Costco membership? I have a 11-day reservation for March via Costco Travel. It’s $750 for an intermediate SUV.

 

[trixie08]

We used Turo on our 2019 trip. This summer we are again using it on two islands. Turo prices are higher than in 2019, but still much less than the usual rental companies. You will want to contact your auto/home owner insurance to verify coverage on peer-to-peer rentals as some do not offer coverage. I think you can purchase insurance coverage through Turo. I am unsure on what that entails. Good luck!

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Do you have a Costco membership? I have a 11-day reservation for March via Costco Travel. It’s $750 for an intermediate SUV.

Yeah any kind of membership should help. I have a company contract and I was able to get 9 days in a 15-passenger van for about $800.

 

[pamelaj]

Does Aulani operate its own shuttle? I looked online and all it says is that shuttles operate at reduced capacity because of covid, and it lists two external for-cost shuttle services, which I assume you'd have to pre-book. If I didn't have a car, I would either Uber to Kapolei to get to the grocery store or I would make do with the Island Market across the street.


The Alamo counter at Aulani is temporarily closed. It remains to be seen if it will re-open by December - probably depends on the supply and demand of rental cars. They were closed because of hotel capacities/covid, but now I assume they can't operate because of the shortage. They would sometimes run out of rental cars even before the shortage. If they do re-open before your trip, I would suggest reserving a couple days because chances are good they will run out if you try to do same day.


I know $1200 feels excessive, especially since its $800 more than you usually pay, but consider what your actual savings is by the time you pay for roundtrip airport shuttles, taxis/ubers to grocery stores and other locations. Also consider the value of your time - trying to take a bus or even ordering an Uber will be time consuming and eat up your limited amount of vacation time. Personally, another $500 (give or take) is a drop in the bucket compared to the expenses of a Hawaiian vacation. It would be worth it to me to spend that since it so greatly enhances your time there. Fingers crossed prices come down after summer travel though!

I asked about the shuttle because I know there was a shuttle in the past that took guests without rental cars to places like the grocery store. I agree their website is unclear about shuttles right now. I was hoping someone who has been there recently would know more information about this. We typically shop at Target or Costco, so I am hoping for more than the ABC Market. We like to use the grills at the resort and have lots of snacks in the fridge for our kids It helps save a lot of money.

I appreciate your perspective on the cost though, thank you!

 

[pamelaj]

Do you have a Costco membership? I have a 11-day reservation for March via Costco Travel. It’s $750 for an intermediate SUV.

I just checked Costco and it was also about $1200 for 8 days. Thanks for the tip! I think the December dates may be especially bad, but we are set on these dates due to family being there for a conference. I will keep checking!

 

[jimmymc]

1. If you can't find anything through the normal airport rentals, check rental sites or dealerships in Honolulu. You might have to Uber there, but it could save a lot of money. Also check Turo. The only thing with Turo is that if you have a credit card that covers rental car insurance, it probably won't cover a Turo rental, so consider buying the coverage.

2. The Ko Olina shuttle to and from the airport is easy. You can walk to the restaurants and ABC store across the street, and it's a short Uber/Lyft to the larger stores (Target, Costco, Foodland) and restaurant area. So food and basics shopping will be no problem, it's getting to the rest of the island which is tough.

3. Aulani is still closed, but the neighboring Marriott and Four Seasons properties have open places. Still expensive, but an option just for one or two days, and you wouldn't have to pay a parking fee.

4. Definitely find a way to get a car for 2 or 3 days, even if it's expensive. Hawaii is so much more than just the resort. One day rentals are pretty common, so if you want to just relax at the resort for a few days, you can take the shuttle there from the airport, then grab a Turo rental for the last few days of the trip and see the island. Drive the whole island, up through the valley and back down the east coast. You can see the north shore waves, mountain ranges, stop at famous food spots, and get a brief tour of Honolulu all in one day if you pack it full.

The only time I would recommend a bus is if you just want to visit Waikiki for a day. But I personally believe Waikiki is the worst part of the island and wouldn't waste my time.

 

[pamelaj]

1. If you can't find anything through the normal airport rentals, check rental sites or dealerships in Honolulu. You might have to Uber there, but it could save a lot of money. Also check Turo. The only thing with Turo is that if you have a credit card that covers rental car insurance, it probably won't cover a Turo rental, so consider buying the coverage.

2. The Ko Olina shuttle to and from the airport is easy. You can walk to the restaurants and ABC store across the street, and it's a short Uber/Lyft to the larger stores (Target, Costco, Foodland) and restaurant area. So food and basics shopping will be no problem, it's getting to the rest of the island which is tough.

3. Aulani is still closed, but the neighboring Marriott and Four Seasons properties have open places. Still expensive, but an option just for one or two days, and you wouldn't have to pay a parking fee.

4. Definitely find a way to get a car for 2 or 3 days, even if it's expensive. Hawaii is so much more than just the resort. One day rentals are pretty common, so if you want to just relax at the resort for a few days, you can take the shuttle there from the airport, then grab a Turo rental for the last few days of the trip and see the island. Drive the whole island, up through the valley and back down the east coast. You can see the north shore waves, mountain ranges, stop at famous food spots, and get a brief tour of Honolulu all in one day if you pack it full.

The only time I would recommend a bus is if you just want to visit Waikiki for a day. But I personally believe Waikiki is the worst part of the island and wouldn't waste my time.

Thanks Jimmy! We've been to Aulani three times and completely agree that Waikiki is not our favorite part of Hawaii and a car is essential. We will definitely rent a car for at least a portion of the time, just trying to figure out options right now. Is it still pretty easy to get Uber/Lyft from Aulani to grocery stores? I saw posts about people getting stranded and waiting for ubers for 90 minutes. That would be a long Target run!

Thanks for the suggestion of picking up a car at another dealership in Honolulu, I will definitely check that idea out.

Thank you!

 

[jimmymc]

Thanks Jimmy! We've been to Aulani three times and completely agree that Waikiki is not our favorite part of Hawaii and a car is essential. We will definitely rent a car for at least a portion of the time, just trying to figure out options right now. Is it still pretty easy to get Uber/Lyft from Aulani to grocery stores? I saw posts about people getting stranded and waiting for ubers for 90 minutes. That would be a long Target run!

Thanks for the suggestion of picking up a car at another dealership in Honolulu, I will definitely check that idea out.

Thank you!

I did see the other response about long Uber/Lyft waits, and that wasn't my experience. I think I paid $80 to go from the airport all the way to the north shore and had a 5 minute wait, but I guess your experience may vary.

Instacart and Foodland both deliver to Aulani. Foodland is the best grocery store in Oahu and has a great hot/cold food bar, would highly recommend.

 

[braysmommy]

There have been reports of reservations through Turo being canceled by the owner on Trip Advisor so be careful if you go this route.

 

[EmilyS92003]

If we want to get out for a day or two, are there cars available from the Aulani rental counter? I tried searching their site and just got error messages today

The Alamo counter at Aulani is temporarily closed

Aulani is still closed, but the neighboring Marriott and Four Seasons properties have open places. Still expensive, but an option just for one or two days, and you wouldn't have to pay a parking fee.

I have a car rental to be picked up at Aulani for the first week of August…

 

[nkereina]

I have a car rental to be picked up at Aulani for the first week of August…

Interesting. To be picked up at the Alamo Aulani desk? Perhaps they have plans to re-open then, which would definitely be good news.

 

[EmilyS92003]

Interesting. To be picked up at the Alamo Aulani desk? Perhaps they have plans to re-open then, which would definitely be good news.

Yes. To be picked up at the Alamo Aulani desk on August 5.

 

[icc2515]

Yeah any kind of membership should help. I have a company contract and I was able to get 9 days in a 15-passenger van for about $800.

Have you rented one of those 15 passenger vans before in HI? I have one reserved for a future trip for a large group and was wondering about the size and how easy/hard it was to maneuver around HI. I do drive a Promaster 2500 at work (basically what Amazon uses) and don't have a problem with that. I think the 15 passenger might be longer though.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Have you rented one of those 15 passenger vans before in HI? I have one reserved for a future trip for a large group and was wondering about the size and how easy/hard it was to maneuver around HI. I do drive a Promaster 2500 at work (basically what Amazon uses) and don't have a problem with that. I think the 15 passenger might be longer though.

I haven't, but we had a minivan last time and I didn't find driving in Hawaii particularly challenging. Certainly easier than driving in Europe or even a major East Coast city.

If you're not a DVC member, self parking and valet parking at Aulani itself are the same price, so definitely do the valet.

 

[BigDaddy1211]

Interesting. To be picked up at the Alamo Aulani desk? Perhaps they have plans to re-open then, which would definitely be good news.

Just got off the phone with Alamo desk at Aulani. They are definitely open.

 

[BayGirl22]

I was just able to book the Alamo at Aulani through the Costco website too. For a Friday through Monday in November it was about $400 - not cheap, but better than $1000+ for a full week which was the best I could get with a corporate or Amex Platinum code on all the airport rental agencies.

We tend to want to spend most of our time at Aulani. Have a car for just a couple days is fine, that's enough for us to go out and see our favorites and some new places on the island. We also don't buy a ton of food - the ABC store has what we need, we don't need Costco/Target level shopping for 4 of us when we're eating out and end up with a lot of leftovers.

 

[Kristie71]

I have a car rental to be picked up at Aulani for the first week of August…

I just booked directly with Alamo with a Aulani pick for November.