Kahului Airport in Maui; credit Kim Starr
Kauai Transportation
Airport
Lihu’e Airport (LIH) in Kauai is located on the east side of the island. American, Delta, Hawaiian, Southwest, and Alaska airlines have direct flights from the U.S. mainland to LIH Airport. Consistent with the tropical island vide, the airport features a shaded, open-air terminal. You’ll be happy stand near its fans on hot days when waiting for a Taxi, Uber or Lyft ride.
You can find a lot more flights to Honolulu International Airport (HNL) on Oahu, then transfer to a 25-minute flight to Lihu’e, sometimes on the same plane. Since there are so many Los Angeles and San Francisco Bay Area flights to Kauai, many travelers find it useful for time slot convenience or lower cost flying to LAX, SFO or OAK airports, then transferring for the last leg to Lihue, Kauai.
Since HNL is a large multi-terminal airport add 15 minutes to walk between terminals on plane transfers. When flying from Honolulu to Lihu’e, best island views are on the right side of the plane. When flying from Lihu’e to Honolulu best island views are on the left side of the plane. Most times you will get an aerial view of Pearl Harbor.
Every major rental car company serves Kauai. Since demand is very high, reserve your car rental well in advance.
Highways
Two highways nearly circle the island; beginning in Līhuʻe and going north, Kūhiō Highway (Hwy 56) goes to Kēʻē Beach past Hanalei. Beyond the Nāpali Coast on the West Side, Kaumualiʻi Highway (Hwy 50) travels to Kekaha and then cuts inland, leading all the way back to Līhuʻe.
Take a taxi to most resort and Airbnb destinations.
Having extensively visited the west side and south side of Kauai, we can assure visitors that Highways 50, 520 and 530 have stunning bouquets of natural scenery that will make your eyes happy. Highway 520 has the world-famous Tree Tunnel canopy featuring over 500 Eucalyptus trees on the dreamscape to Koloa and Poipu.
If you plan to visit Waimea Canyon often called “The Grand Canyon of the Pacific”, exit Highway 50 in central Waimea to Highway 550. As you might expect, it’s a winding road up to Waimea Canyon overlook. In the spring and summer, go early to ensure a parking space without waiting at this popular destination.
Lihu’e, Wailua, Kapa’a, and Anahola on the east side and Kilauea, Princeville, and Hanalei on the north side are also nice to visit for more Native Hawaiian culture.
Leave the aggressive driver stuff home. Follow “Aloha” traffic customs. drive slowly, yield to others and don’t tailgate. At one-lane bridges, yield to oncoming traffic. If you approach a bridge and there is a line waiting on the other side, stop and let your neighbors cross. Driving here is much more laid-back than the continental US, so relax, enjoy the scenery and drive safely.
Kauai has a plethora of scenic roads. Plan on making impromptu stops along the way for photos of waterfalls and trail adventures.
Tours
Kauai Luxury Transportation
Chauffeured transportation services in sedans, SUVs, and Mercedes Sprinter Vans for VIP transportation, weddings, airport transfers and corporate events to all resorts and hotels.
PHONE: 808-634-7260
WEBSITE: https://kauailuxurytransportation.com
Kauai Transport Service
A modestly price service to book airport transfers and Luau excursions.
PHONE: 808-635-4355
WEBSITE: https://kauaitransportation.com
