Getting a rental car is usually pretty straightforward as you simply hop online, select the vehicle you want, and enter your payment information.
However, Hawaii is reportedly experiencing a rental car shortage due to a variety of factors including an influx of tourists who are eager to go somewhere after being stuck at home due to the pandemic.
According to Hawaii News Now, the situation has gotten so bad that the price of renting a car has shot up hundreds of dollars. In particular, they noted the cheapest rental car on Maui last month was a Toyota Camry which cost $722 (£520 / €597) a day. If you’re looking to take in the fresh Hawaiian air, you could end up paying more than $1,000 (€720 / €826) for a convertible.
Also Read: What We Learned Driving The 2019 Toyota Corolla Sedan For A Week In Hawaii
Those are exorbitant prices and some people have reportedly found a creative alternative in the form of U-Hauls. The publication talked to U-Haul of Hawaii president Kaleo Alau, who said “The uptick from tourism, the uptick from companies opening back up, from the economy restarting — everybody seems to need a vehicle.” He added that tourists have turned to U-Hauls as “most of the time they’re saying that they can’t get a vehicle from any of the rental spots. They’re all sold out.”
That being said, people might want to shop around as we found plenty of affordable rental cars at Honolulu’s airport. For this weekend, Nissan Versa Notes and Chevrolet Sparks can be had for as little as $190 (£137 / €157) a day. Buyers seeking something roomier can opt for a $199 (£143 / €165) Toyota Corolla or a $203 (£146 / €168) Chevrolet Impala.
Of course, the prices are likely tied to demand, availability and location. As a result, planning ahead would likely pay off.
H/T to Roadshow
