Is a car needed at Aulani?

[brrabit]

Is there Disney transportation to Aulani from the airport? I really don't want to drive on this vacation or worry about a car. Hoping I can be delivered there and back and just spend my entire time relaxing and not moving around. Ive been to Hawaii before so have seen alot of the major sites. Tho shuttles from Aulani to sites would also be good.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Is there Disney transportation to Aulani from the airport?

No, but you can book an independent shuttle or Uber.

If you want to go anywhere but Aulani, the Marriott Ko'Olina complex or a few spots across the street it really helps to have a car. There are some tours and excursions you can book, but they are excursions rather than shuttles.

 

[Van@Disney]

We go to Aulani to chill and recover from, well life. We have never rented a car, but we will eventually have a trip when we explore the island on that occasion we will rent a car. In the meantime we take Charlie’s taxi to and from the airport and then just go across the street to eat somewhere away from Aulani. We are perfectly content with this.

 

[planningjollyholiday]

We have also used Charlie's taxi. You can book a flat rate and the vans are the same price as the cars if you have a few people or lots of bags. In the past we have rented cars at Aulani for day trips. Some excursion will do waikiki pick ups, but cannot think of any that will do Ko olina pickups.

 

[Minniesgal]

I personally wouldn’t do Aulani without a car.

 

[jimmymc]

There isn't Disney transportation, but there are plenty of private shuttles you can book, in addition to taxis and Uber/Lyft.

 

[gumbydom]

You can walk to most eating places nearby. Do the math of Uber and no car, vs renting and parking.

 

[Frugal Fairy Tales]

How easy is it to rent a car once you are already at Aulani? I’m thinking of taking Charlie’s taxi to and from the airport to avoid driving in Honolulu after a long flight from the East Coast, and then renting a car for a few outings once at Aulani.

 

[FrancisK7]

I personally wouldn’t do Aulani without a car.

What do you typically pay for a week long rental?

I checked out Costco pricing and Alamo came in at $690 for the week for a mini-van.

 

[Dis_Yoda]

I'm paying $240 for a Camry for a week through Avis, inclusive of all taxes and fees.

 

[maxbuffmelvin]

I paid approximately $300 a week for a midsize Sedan with Hertz in August 2023 but $800 a week for the same period in 2021.

 

[MinnieFan4ever]

Is there a car rental place near the resort

 

[that1jeff]

Is there a car rental place near the resort

There's a rental car counter on site at Aulani.

 

[WDWJonasGirl]

I went in September and my family rented a car. There were several restaurants we went to that weren't too far from Aulani

 

[_19disnA]

Unless you don't plan to leave the resort or just sit at their beach, I think a rental car is necessary to shop/sightsee or check out some of the other restaurants.

 

[Mazz519]

If you have no plans to drive into Honolulu or the other side of the island then no, there are a lot of restaurants and resorts all within walking distance of Aulani….When we were there we did have a rental car cause we like exploring in our own, but it’s definitely not a must have

 

[BayGirl22]

We've done it with and without a car. If you just want to chill at the resort you don't need one. You can walk to the Four Seasons, shopping center across the street, and Paradise Cove luau. You can also rent a car for a day or book excursions that include transportation - some do pick up in Ko'Lina. Can also use Uber. You can do a lot in a day on Oahu by driving the circle tour route and making several stops, then spend your other days at the resort.

OR you can rent a car for the whole trip and drive around the island, there is a ton of stuff to do and lots of great restaurants. We use the Shaka app for audio tours. If you're staying on DVC points parking is free. I find a rental car for a week is about $500, YMWV.

Either trip will be wonderful, just think about what you want yours to be like.

 

[anricat]

If this is your only trip to Oahu ever, I would rent a car. There are so many amazing things to see on the island that aren't at the resort. I'm actually sort of baffled by people that traverse 3-6 time zones on a 5-9 hour flight for thousands of dollars and pay island prices for everything just to sit by the pool. I mean, we have really nice resorts with really nice pools (and even some really nice beaches) on the mainland that are much easier, less time consuming, and cheaper to get to.

Just be aware that if you aren't staying on points, parking is $40/day and that parking garage is a nightmare. I don't know who designed it, but the lanes are too narrow and the spaces too small. It's a mess. Maybe just rent a car on the days you want to go places? Uber isn't a great option because Ko Olina is pretty far from...everything.

 

[DVC'96]

What rental car company is at Aluani? Can I make reservations to pick up a car before my trip or do I have to go to the counter there?
Thanks for any info.

Is there Disney transportation to Aulani from the airport? I really don't want to drive on this vacation or worry about a car. Hoping I can be delivered there and back and just spend my entire time relaxing and not moving around. Ive been to Hawaii before so have seen alot of the major sites. Tho shuttles from Aulani to sites would also be good.

 

[longboard55]

We never rent a car, I hate renting cars, for Aulani we book a shuttle ride, but we have been to Oahu many times. If it is your first trip you really need the car, the North Shore and East side of the Island are amazing places to visit, nothin like Aulani at al. North SHore is the Hawaii you always dreamed of with the grass shack look with palm trees and stunning beaches. The east shore is the Jurassic park look and much better in person, one of the most stunning places I have ever seen