Which island for one day excursion from Oahu

[Brian Noble]

Kona driving North doesn't work if the plan is to see VNP.

True, but that's partly because of your observation that VPN takes more time. VPN is pretty cool, and we enjoyed our visit. But driving across what felt like a moonscape was....different.

 

[WinterSolider]

When we do our Big Island trips, we fly into Hilo and spend 3 or 4 nights there. We then drive to the Kona side, visiting South Point of course, and finish our stay there. We then fly out of Kona.

Any hacks to get a decent one-way rental car rate? I've tried several different booking sites for my trip and they're all adding on huge fees for a one-way. Our plan right now is 4 nights in Kona, drive to the Hilo side (actually staying in the town of Volcano) for 4 more nights. But because of the rental car prices we have to drive back to Kona.

 

[monsterkitty]

Any hacks to get a decent one-way rental car rate? I've tried several different booking sites for my trip and they're all adding on huge fees for a one-way. Our plan right now is 4 nights in Kona, drive to the Hilo side (actually staying in the town of Volcano) for 4 more nights. But because of the rental car prices we have to drive back to Kona.

We always rent through Costco because we find they have the better prices, flexibility, and you get a second driver for free.

I book the car when we make our air reservations. Then, I keep stalking the site for cheaper prices. When I find one, I rebook that car and then cancel the original reservation. Last year in Hilton Head I ended up saving over $300 and went from a mid-size car to a mid-size SUV. We were then upgraded to a huge SUV when we got there for free.

If you don't have a Costco membership, get one. It's worth it just for the car rental. When you get to Oahu it's a great place to load up on room supplies and eat the cheapest meal you'll have in Hawaii - the hot dog/soda deal.

ETA, also look at the flight price difference between Kona and Hilo. For us, it's usually significantly cheaper to fly into or out of one of the airports than the other. The cost difference in flights could make up for the increase in a one-way rental

 

[jimmymc]

Any hacks to get a decent one-way rental car rate? I've tried several different booking sites for my trip and they're all adding on huge fees for a one-way. Our plan right now is 4 nights in Kona, drive to the Hilo side (actually staying in the town of Volcano) for 4 more nights. But because of the rental car prices we have to drive back to Kona.

I would probably plan on driving back to Kona. Maybe you can see if flights are cheaper to one airport or the other and rent the car from there.

 

[WinterSolider]

I would probably plan on driving back to Kona. Maybe you can see if flights are cheaper to one airport or the other and rent the car from there.

We have a massive pile of HawaiianMiles and it was 26,250 to Boston whether we came home from Kona, Hilo, or Honolulu.

 

[WinterSolider]

We always rent through Costco because we find they have the better prices, flexibility, and you get a second driver for free.

I book the car when we make our air reservations. Then, I keep stalking the site for cheaper prices. When I find one, I rebook that car and then cancel the original reservation. Last year in Hilton Head I ended up saving over $300 and went from a mid-size car to a mid-size SUV. We were then upgraded to a huge SUV when we got there for free.

If you don't have a Costco membership, get one. It's worth it just for the car rental. When you get to Oahu it's a great place to load up on room supplies and eat the cheapest meal you'll have in Hawaii - the hot dog/soda deal.

ETA, also look at the flight price difference between Kona and Hilo. For us, it's usually significantly cheaper to fly into or out of one of the airports than the other. The cost difference in flights could make up for the increase in a one-way rental

I've heard people love Costco but they've been awful for me. This trip, my rental options are:

Costco from Kona, returning to Hilo: $875
Costco from Kona round trip: $644
Direct from Hertz, Kona, returning to Hilo: $839
Direct from Hertz, Kona round trip: $420

 

[monsterkitty]

I've heard people love Costco but they've been awful for me. This trip, my rental options are:

Costco from Kona, returning to Hilo: $875
Costco from Kona round trip: $644
Direct from Hertz, Kona, returning to Hilo: $839
Direct from Hertz, Kona round trip: $420

That's crazy!

When are you going?

 

[WinterSolider]

That's crazy!

When are you going?

Feb 8 to 16

 

[monsterkitty]

Feb 8 to 16

Kepp watching the Costco prices as they do fall as you get closer to your travel dates. The biggest drop in price I've had was 2 days before our trip.