Take the bus. Choosing to rely on public transportation is one of the most cost-effective ways to get around Maui. Locate the nearest bus stop to your hotel, and most hotel employees will already know where one is. Be sure to have $1 (this is the cost of a bus ride as of spring 2009) in cash on hand for every person riding the bus. Maui bus drivers accept cash only and do not make change. Know exactly where you want to go and ask the bus driver if you are getting on the right bus. Familiarize yourself with bus rules, such as items not allowed on the bus include large suitcases, surfboards and uncaged pets.
Rent a car. By renting a car in Maui you have the freedom to go where you want, when you want. Comparison shop prices either online or by calling the major car rental places such as Budget, Avis and Enterprise (see "Additional Resources," below, for websites). Choose your vehicle based on what activities you want to do in Maui. For example, many roads are open to 4-wheel drive vehicles only. Be sure to reserve your car early since Maui is experiencing a shortage of rental cars. Know the rules of the road. Maui drivers tend to go slower than those on the mainland because many Maui roads curve sharply around cliffs. You must have a current driver's license to rent a car and be at least 25 years old.
Hail a taxi. Riding in a taxi is quite common on Maui, but be sure to know exactly where you are going and how much it will cost before getting in the car. Short-distance taxi rides should cost no more than $20, while long-distance rides--say, from the airport to Maui's west side--cost upward of $100. It is best not to use a taxi from the airport unless you are staying in a nearby town. Do use a taxi to go to dinner or the bar instead of driving at night in an unfamiliar area. Maui taxis are typically the drivers' personal cars with a detachable lighted sign on the roofs indicating what company they work for. Be safe and look for the taxi driver's license when you get in; it should be prominently displayed.
Hire a shuttle service. If your plan while in Maui is to lounge around your hotel and the nearby beach, then hiring a shuttle service might suit you best. Shuttle services are for transportation from the airport to your hotel. They charge based on how many passengers there are, how many pieces of luggage there are and how far away your hotel is from the airport. It is best to make a reservation for this service in advance; however, most shuttle companies do have vans waiting at the airport regularly. The two most popular shuttle services in Maui are Speedi and Executive.
Rent a moped. Travel around Maui the way locals do--by renting a moped. These motorized scooters are easy to drive, even for someone who has never ridden on one. You do not have to wear a helmet while on a moped or even hold a valid driver's license to drive one. However, moped rental companies may require a valid ID, so be sure to check for their requirements first. Moped rentals are good to drive on highways and city streets. Popular places to rent a moped are Discount Scooters at 252 Lahainaluna Road in Lahaina, Island Riders at 126 Hinau Street in Lahaina, and Island Riders at 2463 South Kihei Road in Kihei.
