Renting a car in Aulani

[Lorbs717]

Hi All,

I just booked our first Aulani trip for the end of June!! We are staying for nine nights! Used a ton of points for a one bedroom ocean view but go big or go home! Got a great NS flight from Dulles too.
I reserved a care on Budget's website it is about 300.00 to rent a car for our entire trip. So its like $30 a day for the car. I know gas is expensive but having the car for 10 days is a nice option. Am I crazy to rent it for the whole time. Looking at some quick numbers it looks like it is about $80 for a shuttle to and from the airport. So for $250 more we have our own vehicle (their are four of us.) You guys are the experts what are you thoughts.
We are so pumped for our trip. I booked everything the other day (funny I had to find out about the 7 night min and had to call back the next day ((and the next)) for the follow nights.

 

[DisneyWorldbuff]

We just got back from Aulani yesterday. We rented a car for the whole time. Best rates were through Costco travel, got a suv through Budget. It was very nice to have a car, we went to Costco and got a bunch of groceries for a really great price. We went to Diamond Head and got to go sight seeing. We also took a catamaran and snorkeling excursion and drove ourselves instead of using the shuttle. It was nice to have a car and very easy to navigate the island. My youngest got sick and we had to take her to urgent care on Thanksgiving Day, the car was rally a lifesaver. Our rate was cheaper for the week than the shuttle both ways. Parking is expensive, but it was worth it for us. I hope you have a great trip!

 

[JCornell]

I personally like the option of having the car every day. We're also planners and know that we're using it each day so that makes it an easier decision for us. FWIW, we have a car for 9 days and are also paying $300 (Hertz) so I think you have a decent deal there. Unless you paid up front though, no harm in checking periodically for better deals. It's easy to cancel and re-book a car. We do it all of the time.

 

[Elima2015]

You are staying on points, if I read correctly, so your parking at Aulani is free. That makes it no question an easy decision to have a car the entire time. We left the resort almost every day (buy food, go out to eat, pharmacy for pink eye drops, sight seeing). I think $300 for 9 days is a good rate.

 

[happymommy]

Definitely keep the car!

I'm going (Marriott KO) for a month next summer, and have a car reserved for the whole time. We usually go for two weeks, but I've never been without a car.

 

[kathleendsm]

It's much better to have a car the whole time. I don't think there was a single day that we didn't go off resort for something, either sight seeing or driving to a restaurant that was farther away. You'll be glad you have it, there's a lot to explore on the island!

 

[NancyDVC]

We used our car nearly every day. It was very convenient for shopping and touring. Be sure to stop at the valet desk. They have printed directions for getting to and back again for every place you might want to visit. Great resource.

 

[blondietink]

Yes, keep the car rental for every day. We went off site every day when we were there. so much to do and see even if you stay on the west side of Oahu and travel up to the north shore. Also, gas at Costco was really cheap when we were there in April .... less than $2.00 per gallon which is cheaper than we paid here in New York at the time.

 

[ratt1345]

When we went last year, we rented a car for the entire time. I wouldn't have it any other way. When I am ready to go, I am ready to go! I don't want to have to wait or rely on anyone. And if I change my mind, I don't have to call anyone to cancel.