Rent cars in Kona, HI
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Top rated rental cars in Kona, HI
Sun-dappled Kona
Kailua-Kona, or simply Kona, is the biggest city on The Big Island, and thanks to the mountains that block out tropical storms, the city is a famously dry, sunny paradise, even by Hawaii standards.
Hawaiian royalty once made their summer homes here, and you can still visit the wealth of historical and cultural sites in and around Kona to get a feel for the past. To really get to know the island, head out to the sparkling beaches, jungle-covered mountains, and stark volcanoes for the trademarks of a Big Island adventure.
Kona favorites
The Big Island is where beautiful scenery and culture converge, and Kona is within reach of it all.
Huliheʻe Palace
Built out of lava rock in 1838, this unique palace of Hawaiian royalty represents the Westernized shift during the era, and showcases both European artifacts and spears from Kamehameha The Great.
Kahaluu Beach Park
Just on the outskirts of Kona, this beach is a well-known spot for snorkeling in the placid, shallow waters. It’s a sure thing that you’ll meet a sea turtle and schools of friendly fish.
Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park
Learn about the history and culture of Native Hawaiians at this beachfront park, where you hike through a lava field to a black sand beach to explore tidepools and petroglyphs.
Top hosts in Kona, HI
Thien B.
Thien B.’s vehicles
Christy G.
Christy G.’s vehicles
Rent cars in Kona, HI
Hit the road
Book a car in Kona to take in the Big Island at your pace. Make easy shifts between beachsides, resorts, lush valleys, to mountaintops and volcanoes. Safe travels!
Rent the perfect carHawaii Volcanoes National Park
Head into the heart of the island to Mauna Loa and Kilauea, two of the world’s most active volcanoes, to watch showers of sparks fly into the ocean off the craggy coastline.
Keaukaha Beach
It’s a gorgeous drive across the island to this black sand Hilo beach, where you can swim in spring-fed pools and snorkel with sea turtles.
Waipio Valley
This verdant, historic river valley is home to Hawaii’s longest waterfall, taro farms, and a dramatic vista from the 2,000-foot cliffs. If you’re lucky, you’ll see a herd of horses strolling Waipio Black Sand Beach at the end of the hike.
Recent reviews
Car worked just fine and was a great deal, only about 7 minutes from the airport.
Car has great control, host was super responsive and pickup was smooth.
Great affordable option, good mileage and very communicative and polite host. Everything went super smooth !
As other reviews have noted, this is an older car (100k+ miles) that makes a noise (I’m no car guy but I think it has to do with the automatic transition).
The car was great on gas mileage but did rattle quite a bit (I do think this is just how older cars are).
Ken was amazing and very laid back about the rental which helped me relax and enjoy my time.
Car rental locations near Kona, HI
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Best Kona driving roads
Chain of Craters Road
Take this route at the Hawaii Volcano National Park in your Kona car rental alternative for glimpses of fresh lava flow, petroglyph sites, and the dramatic 4,000-foot drop from crater to coast.
Kalapana-Kapoho Road
Take Highway 137 in your Kona car rental alternative through tunnels of trees just off the Puna coast until Isaac Hale Beach Park, where the road was cut off by lava flow.
South Kona Coffee Loop
Head south in your Kona car rental alternative to pick up Highway 160 in Captain Cook and ribbon your way through the lush green forests where farmers grow coffee. Catch Highway 11 back up to town.
Frequently asked questions in Kona
What do I need to book a car on Turo?
What do I need to book a car on Turo?
To book a car on Turo, you must create a Turo account, be 18 years old or older with a valid driver’s license, and get approved to drive on Turo. When you’re booking your first trip, you’ll go through a quick approval process by entering your driver’s license and some other information. In most cases, you’ll get approved immediately, and you’ll be set for future road trips, business trips, and family vacations!
Do I need my own insurance?
Do I need my own insurance?
No, you don’t need personal insurance coverage to book a car on Turo. If you do have your own insurance policy, the liability insurance issued to Turo by Travelers Excess and Surplus Lines Company included in the protection plan you select will supplement your existing coverage.*
What protection plan options are available on Turo?
What protection plan options are available on Turo?
When booking a car on Turo, you’ll choose between three protection plans — Premier, Standard, or Minimum — to get the level of coverage that’s right for you or decline coverage in some cases. With each plan, you’re covered with liability insurance provided under a policy from Travelers — up to $750,000 for the Premier plan.*
How do I get discounts on cars in Kona?
How do I get discounts on cars in Kona?
On your Account page, make sure you’ve checked the box to receive email notifications, and enable push notifications from the Turo app in your phone settings — we’ll send you occasional promotions, discounts, and deals on car rental alternatives in Kona!
Additionally, frequent travelers on Turo can get rewarded with the loyalty bonus — earn a promo code for one bonus day when you take trips totaling 10 days in a 90-day period!**
Are there discounts on weekly or monthly trips?
Are there discounts on weekly or monthly trips?
Yes, many Turo hosts offer discounted prices when you book trips lasting 3+, 7+, or 30+ days. Additionally, hosts can offer “early bird” discounts for Kona trips booked a week or more in advance. So, get the best deals and lowest rates possible by booking longer trips, at least a week in advance.
What types of cars can I book in Kona?
What types of cars can I book in Kona?
Browse the widest selection of vehicles for every occasion and budget on Turo. Find an SUV for a family road trip, a truck for some errands, or an exotic sports car for a special night out in Kona.
How can I drive unlimited miles during my trip to Kona?
How can I drive unlimited miles during my trip to Kona?
Some hosts offer unlimited distance for a trip; others set a daily distance limit. On the vehicle pages, you’ll see the total miles or kilometres you’re allowed to drive under the heading “Distance included.” You can find cars offering unlimited mileage with every trip by using the “Unlimited distance” filter.
What payment methods does Turo accept?
What payment methods does Turo accept?
Turo accepts most credit cards issued by major financial institutions, including American Express and Discover cards, as well as debit cards with a Visa or Mastercard logo that are linked to a checking account.
Apple Pay and Google Pay on mobile devices are also accepted, but Turo does not accept cash or checks as valid payment methods.
What is the cancellation policy for guests on Turo?
What is the cancellation policy for guests on Turo?
You can cancel and get a full refund up to 24 hours before your trip starts. If you book a trip with less than 24 hours’ notice, you have one hour after booking to cancel free of charge. If you cancel after the free cancellation period ends, you will be charged a small cancellation fee.
What are the cleaning and safety policies on Turo?
What are the cleaning and safety policies on Turo?
Under the enhanced cleaning policy, hosts are required to clean and disinfect their vehicles thoroughly before every trip, so you can feel safe and comfortable behind the wheel. Turo hosts have access to training materials on enhanced cleaning practices, using the latest recommendations compiled from the CDC, EPA, WHO, and vehicle detailing experts, to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Is Turo a rental car company?
Is Turo a rental car company?
No. Unlike rental car companies, Turo is a peer-to-peer car sharing marketplace where you can book directly from trusted local car owners in the US, Canada, and the UK. Turo does not own any vehicles — Turo hosts share their own personal cars and set their own prices, discounts, vehicle availability, and delivery options.
Are there cars available near the Kona airport?
Are there cars available near the Kona airport?
Yes, there are hundreds of cars available on Turo at locations near the Kona airport. After arriving at Kona International Airport (KOA), have your car rental alternative delivered for pick-up and dropoff at your Kona hotel or the address of your vacation rental to save time and hassle. Kona Intl Airport is a short 20-minute drive from Kailua-Kona, so no need to stress going to or from the baggage claim.
What types of sports cars, luxury cars, or exotics can I book in Kona?
What types of sports cars, luxury cars, or exotics can I book in Kona?
You can find nearly endless options for sports cars, luxury cars, and high-performance exotics in Kona on Turo. Filter your search by category, vehicle type, or vehicle make to refine your results, or try the “Deluxe Class” and “Super Deluxe Class” filters to browse high-end luxury car rental alternatives in Kona.
Is there a fee to add additional drivers to my trip?
Is there a fee to add additional drivers to my trip?
There is no fee or additional charge for adding a driver to your trip on Turo. Only the guest who booked the trip can request to add drivers; Turo hosts cannot do it for you. We encourage you to request to add additional drivers before your trip starts, though guests in the US and Canada can request to add a driver while a trip is in progress.
To speed up the process, have your additional driver create a Turo account and get approved to drive before you request to add them. All drivers must have a valid driver’s license and meet the age requirements for the car you’ve booked. You can request to add drivers via the “Trips” tab in the Turo app without additional driver charges or extra costs.
* Any personal insurance you may have that covers damage to the host’s vehicle would kick in before your protection plan, except in limited situations for trips booked in Maryland, but this protects your own wallet. Liability insurance is provided under a policy issued to Turo by Travelers Excess and Surplus Lines Company. Terms, conditions, and exclusions apply. The policy does not provide coverage for damage to a host’s vehicle.
For questions or information about the third party liability insurance that is included in protection plans, consumers in Maryland and the licensed states listed here may contact Turo Insurance Agency at (415) 508-0283 or claims@turo.agency. For questions about how damage to a host’s vehicle is handled, visit the Turo Support site.
When a trip is booked in the state of Washington, physical damage to the host’s vehicle is covered by insurance purchased by Turo, but Turo’s insurance does not change the contractual responsibilities of hosts or guests with respect to physical damage to a host’s vehicle.