Maui is one of the most beautiful and tourist-friendly of the Hawaiʻian islands, so it’s no wonder that millions of people visit the “Valley Isle” each year. One of the biggest questions people have when they are planning their trip here is “How will we get around?” Luckily, visitors have quite a few transportation options, depending on their vacation goals. In this post, we’ll explore the best ways to get around Maui.

The Best Option Depends on Where You Want to Go

If you’re trying to decide between renting a car or taking in the sights on foot, you first need to consider where you’re trying to go. If you’re staying at a large Maui resort, you’ll likely have access to amenities within walking distance, shuttles to and from popular spots, and biking options. Hang out around the resort and you may not need access to any further transportation. However, if you plan to enjoy any of the more remote attractions, like Haleakalā National Park or the Road to Hana, you’ll have to go with a vehicle or guided tour instead. Once you figure out your desired destinations, arranging transportation on Maui is pretty straightforward.

Motor Vehicle is the Best Way to See Maui on Your Own Schedule

A motor vehicle, such as a car, truck, SUV, or even motorcycle, is the easiest way to explore most of Maui without much inhibition. This is even more true if you opt for a 4×4 or AWD vehicle that can handle Maui’s unpaved, dirt roads (which are more common than you may think!) and rural areas. However, with rising rental car prices, shortages of rental car availability, environmental concerns, and more frequent traffic congestion, many Maui tourists are trying to find other options to browse the island’s best spots.

Explore Maui Without Your Own Vehicle

Guided Tours

Want to see all the sights but don’t like the idea of driving yourself? Then a guided tour might be your best bet. All of Maui’s top attractions feature guided tours of some sort, including Haleakalā, Hana, Ka’anapali Beach, Wailea Beach, and more. From bus tours to bike trips to helicopter rides, guided tours are a unique and unforgettable way to explore Maui. Plus, you’ll get the added bonus of learning from a local expert, giving you one-of-a-kind insight on the island’s natural beauty, charm, and maybe even a few hidden gems.

Walking

Walking is an excellent (and free!) way to enjoy Maui’s stunning views within the resort or town where you are staying. Almost all of Maui’s popular locales feature walking paths or sidewalks for visitors who would rather walk than ride. Some resorts even offer walking paths to nearby resorts, allowing guests to intermingle and celebrate together without the need to drive. If you’re up for more than a leisurely stroll, some Maui visitors like to hike to the sights, even down the entire 64+ mile Road to Hana.

Biking

Biking is a great way to travel within resort areas and coastal towns. Opt for this eco-friendly mode of transit and you can enjoy the many paved or marked bike paths in Maui’s resorts and coastal towns. The city of Kihei on the western coast even has bike paths along its two major roads, making bike travel a great option for visitors there. Many recreation and outdoor stores along with resorts and hotels rent out bicycles for local travel. For an even more exciting bicycling adventure, book one of Maui’s amazing guided bicycle tours.

Public Bus

Maui offers an extensive and affordable public bus system called Maui Bus that covers huge parts of central and western Maui. While the 2023 wildfires have caused some service interruption, the majority of the routes are still fully operational. Riding the bus will give you exposure to area natives like no other and a very inexpensive way to explore some parts of the island.

Shuttles & Taxis

Maui has plenty of shuttle and taxi services available to get you to and from the airport, popular tourist spots, and secluded beaches. Some of these transit services are locally owned and operated, so it’s a great way to contribute to the local economy.

Ride Apps

Uber and Lyft are available in more populated areas, but they can be very expensive and have long waits during peak tourist season. Turo is a newer option, where locals can rent their personal vehicles out to visitors via their website marketplace.

Airplane

It might sound a little extra, but catch a flight from Kahului to Hana and back and you’ll slash the travel time from two hours to just 20 minutes! With round-trip tickets starting at just $105 per person, flying can be a surprisingly affordable way to travel across Maui and see the breathtaking scenery from a dazzling aerial view. Just catch a shuttle or taxi from the airport to your destination or guided tour meetup point.

Get Around Maui Like a Pro

With a little planning and forethought, you can organize your trip to Maui with the perfect transportation for your desired destinations, timeline, and budget. Rent a car to peruse the island at your leisure or skip the driving and hop on every guided tour you can find…no matter what you choose, you’re still going to have the trip of a lifetime!

Explore Mount Haleakalā on a Guided or Self-Paced Bike Tour

Mountain Riders offers both guided and self-paced bike tours of Mount Haleakalā for visitors who want to get up close and personal with one of Maui’s most stunning natural sites. Find out more and book your tour by calling 808 877-4944 or visiting our website.

For over 30 years, Mountain Riders has offered guided and self-paced tours of gorgeous Mount Haleakalā in Maui, Hawaiʻi. We’re proud to be Maui’s #1 visitor activity with over 700,000 satisfied customers.