Island in Hawaii, United States
Getting around Big Island
How to get around Big Island
A rental car is essential; book months ahead. The Hele-On bus is cheap but infrequent. Drives between Kona and Hilo take about 2 hours.
Ways to get around Big Island
| Option | Fare | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Rental car | 60–120 USD per day | Needed for volcano, beaches and coffee farms |
| Hele-On Bus | 2 USD | Limited routes and times; check the schedule before relying on it |
| Boat and snorkel tours | 60–180 USD | Manta ray night snorkel, Kealakekua Bay and dolphin trips |
Ride-hailing apps in Big Island
A 5 km ride costs about $15–28 ($15–28).
- Rideshare is expensive and sparse outside Kona and Hilo. Rent a car; taxis exist but are costly.
Arriving in Big Island
Kona International at Keahole (KOA)
Rental car; taxi or rideshare to Kailua-Kona 25–40 USD, about 15–20 min.
Hilo International (ITO)
Rental car; taxi to Hilo town 15–25 USD, about 10 min; Volcano Village is 45 min by car.
Driving and onward travel
- Scooters: Scooters and e-bikes are rented in Kona; rain, long distances and fast highways make them risky.
- Driving: on the right. Foreign licences work for visitors in most states; carry an IDP if yours isn't in English. Under-25s pay rental surcharges.
- Onward travel in United States: Distances are long, so domestic flights are usually fastest. Amtrak works well in the Northeast Corridor; buses are cheapest. Outside big cities you often need a car.
Quick answers
Is there Uber in Big Island?
Yes. Apps that work here: Uber, Lyft.
What's the best way to get around Big Island?
A rental car is essential; book months ahead. The Hele-On bus is cheap but infrequent. Drives between Kona and Hilo take about 2 hours.
How do I get from the airport to Big Island?
Rental car; taxi or rideshare to Kailua-Kona 25–40 USD, about 15–20 min.
Is Big Island walkable?
You'll need transport.
More about Big Island
Going to Big Island solo?
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Sources
- Amtrak
- Greyhound
- FlixBus
- Hawaii County Mass Transit Agency (Hele-On)
- Hawaii Volcanoes National Park (NPS)
- Hawaii Airports Division
- Go Hawaii: Island of Hawaii
Fares are typical 2026 prices; check the operator for today's fares. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.