Getting Around Poipu
It is possible to be on the island without a car. We have provided you with information on how to get around without a car.
Kauai Carts
Where do I pick up the cart? Do you deliver? You can pick the cart up at Kiahuna Golf Course (2545 Kiahuna Plantation Drive) or we can deliver it right to you in Poipu or Koloa.
Where can I drive the carts? All over Poipu and Koloa, from Shipwrecks Beach, all the way over to Allerton Beach, and up to old Koloa town.
How far can you travel on a single charge? Our carts are brand new, so the batteries do need a bit of seasoning to reach their full potential. Here is what Polaris says: “Many things can affect the driving range of the GEM car, including ambient temperature, terrain, driving conditions, payload, driving habits, battery age, and tire pressure. It is hard to say exactly what your range will be, but GEM cars are capable of getting up to 98 miles (157 km) on a charge.”
We drive them all the time and believe they will do a full day easily here in Poipu and Koloa.
How old do you have to be in order to drive them? Drivers need to be 25 years or older, with a valid license.
Where can we plug them in? Polaris carts can plug into almost any conventional outlet. And will fully charge overnight. Many condos/hotels have closeby plugs, including Koloa Landing, the Hyatt, and Kiahuna Plantation. We do have extension cords available upon request.
How fast do they go? Polaris carts will go 25 miles per hour, in accordance with Low-Speed Vehicle laws. They can drive on any road with a speed limit of 35 mph or under, making them a perfect ride for the South Shore of Kauai.
What are they equipped with? Our carts have custom-made surf racks and rear chair racks (for common Tommy Bahama beach chairs). They also have big, locking trunks, for all your beach coolers and toys, or groceries.
How old do you have to be to ride in one? Any age – the same rules that apply for motor vehicles apply here: so if you have a toddler, they will need a child safety seat. Everyone must be in a seatbelt
Location: 2545 Kiahuna Plantation Dr., Poipu
Phone: 808-353-6766
Aloha Spirit Shuttle
Give your feet a rest and let the Aloha Spirit be your guide.
Catch a ride on Poipu’s very own open-air shuttle. Fun fact: the shuttle was actually built for Disney in the 60s and has been in operation for over 50 years. It`s a simple and inexpensive alternative to making your way around the Poipu area, whether you’re feeling like doing a little shopping or taking your special date out to dinner; they will be able to shuttle you to and from your vacation rental for free.
Their hours of operation are from 6 pm to 10 pm, Sunday to Thursday. Call for pick-up at (808) 651-9945.
Location: Poipu
Phone: (808) 651-9945
Do I Need a Rental Car on Kauai?
Yes, it is recommended that you rent a car when you are visiting the Garden Isle of Kauai! Although we only have one major “highway” on the island, it takes approximately 3 hours to drive from one end on the North Shore to the opposite end on the West Side (i.e. from Haena to Kekaha). A car is necessary to drive to many picturesque towns, beaches, and waterfalls. You don`t want to miss out on the scenic drive up to Waimea Canyon and the Kokee lookout!
There is public transit available; however, the bus routes are limited and time-consuming when trying to explore all the beauty that Kauai has to offer. Rental scooters are available; however, many of the roads do not accommodate bicycles or scooters safely.
If you prefer not to drive, tour buses are available and are a great way for informative, guided tours of the island`s main attractions! There are taxis, Lyft and Uber. The Grand Hyatt Resort in Poipu has rental cars through Avis.
To find the best price for a rental car, we suggest checking hotwire.com often so you learn to recognize the good deals when they appear. It is highly advisable to book your rental car well in advance if visiting the island during the peak season as cars do sell out and the rates can skyrocket! Check out local car rental companies for deals, too. You can try aloharents.com or hawaiidiscountcarrental.com as well.
Also, Turo.com is very popular on Kauai and you will likely get a better deal through them.
There are car rentals in the Poipu area and Speedi Shuttle offers a shuttle service between the Lihue airport and Poipu.
Pedego Electric Bike Rentals
Enjoy the beauty of Kauai On a Pedego Electric bike. Stop and go at your own speed.
Kauai has many off-the-beaten-path wonders to explore. Nothing like riding your Pedego Electric bike with your family and discovering things you would have never found in a moving vehicle.
Located under Kalapaki Joes.
Location: Poipu
Phone: 808-635-3462
Uber
Kauai does have Uber, but it is most reliable and available in the popular tourist areas on the island. Ubers are mostly available at the airport LIH. Poipu is also a popular Uber destination. The rates between LIH and Poipu are between $40 and $70 one way. The rates increase as you travel farther from Lihue airport and other populated areas. Some parts of Kauai are pretty remote, and traveling to them can get a bit pricey. A great way to get a good deal on Uber rides on Kauai is to pre-book your journey. The Uber app and website allow you to book a ride 30 days in advance. Carefully planning your rides and booking them in advance can help you get a really good deal on Uber rides.
Kauai Bus
The Kauai Bus operates six fixed routes, five running seven days a week. Three of the routes make up the Mainline service from Kekaha to Hanalei. Two of the mainline routes, Kekaha to Lihue and Hanalei to Lihue connect in Lihue and the third is between Wailua and Lihue. There are shuttle services in Kalaheo, Koloa, Poipu, Kapaa, Kapahi, and Lihue. Most routes are hourly.
Turo
Since 2021, there have been many cars available on Turo. Turo is the worlds largest peer-to-peer car-sharing company where you can book any car you want, wherever you want it, from a vibrant community of trusted hosts across the US, Canada, and the UK. Turo can also be cheaper than traditional car rentals and has hosts who do not mind renting to drivers under 25. Best of all, Turo offers something for every taste and budget: whether you want a luxury car to enjoy your vacation in style or a cheap but reliable vehicle, Turo has you covered.
Location: Kauai