Traveling to Hawaii Quick Tip #3: Transportation and Turo

We do not get any compensation from Turo nor are we associated with the company to provide the review.

You. Have. Made. IT

You've booked the flight.  You found the best accommodations to fit your needs.  In fact, a shuttle may even get you from the airport to the place you're staying.

Great!

But if you plan on seeing more than the four walls of a hotel, you're going to need to find transportation.

Transportation in the US is tricker than in other parts of the world.  The US does not have the same reliance on public transportation in most places.  In the US, more than likely, you're going to need to rent your own car. 

As a budget item, this is the hardest to navigate.  Because you absolutely need a method of transportation to access places in the US, you're ability to be flexible is a little more difficult.

When budgeting, it's best to budget this as your highest cost and try to work around it.

Tip #1: Luxury vs Functunality
Yes, you are in Hawaii.  Yes, it would be so cool to be crusing around the island in a convertible, top down, Pacific winds in your hair, and the sun on your face.

Don't do it.

It rains quite a bit in Hawaii.  Depending on the season and the days you go, every day could be a day with some kind of rain.  While it doesn't last long, you lose vacation time having to put up the top as the clouds roll in.   

The other issue:  you lose so much space.  We watched a family arrive with their luggage, open the trunk to their convertible, and struggle for quite a while to fit their bags.  You also may have to clean the car out, and vacuuming sand from corners on your vacation in a small car just isn't fun. 

Find the best price for a car that is easy to drive, fits your needs, and will get you from point a to point b.

Travel Tip #2
​We tried Turo!  We highly recommend!

Turo is a rent by owner company for cars all done through the app.  We have used numerous car rental companies, and we have our preferences. Turo is a completely different experience.

Everything is taken care of through the app before you arrive.  You have to follow steps for rental agreements with Turo, as well as work out details with whomever you are renting from.  However, once you arrive, the car is waiting with the key.

That's it.

No waiting in lines arguing with staff. No signing hours of paperwork at pick up.  We easily found both cars.

When picking up the car, you do have to take a number of pictures to send over for insurance/liability purposes.

Note: There will be a check out policy sent 24 hours prior to drop off.  That caught us off guard.  While it was very simple to take the pictures and upload to the app at the end of the trip, some owners have extra steps.  They weren't difficult, but you may need time to complete things like vacuuming or running it through the car wash.  Be sure to ask about the check in policy prior too so you can plan your trip accordingly. 

We would like to note our cars were not perfect.  There were some things that did not work, or were in slightly rougher shape.  However, with the amount of money we saved renting through Turo, we overlooked small inconveniences.  The cars were safe, dependable, clean, and got us to where we needed to go.  You do rent at your own risk.

Tips for renting a car in Hawaii (or anywhere):

• Budget slightly higher and stay within it.
• Find a car that fits your needs, not your dreams.
• Purchase the full coverage price.  Don't skip on this.  Car damage can end up costing more than the entire trip.
• Plan ahead for pick up and drop off times.  Whether using Turo or a company, each require some time to be budgeted.

Fun Tip!  Screen shot your map location when in a dream destination!  You made it!

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