Car rental Lihue Airport (LIH)

When you hit the open road in Lihue, you’ll be treated to spectacular views wherever you look. It only takes around an hour and a half to get to from one side of the island to the other, so it’s relatively easy to find your way around when you’re driving on Kauai.

To get to the center of Lihue from the airport, you’ll only have to drive for around 10 minutes. Head down Hoolimalima St, then follow Rice St to Poinciana St to arrive at the heart of Lihue. The roads are easy to follow and will allow you to take in the city as you drive.

Road rules here are similar to the rest of the US. You’ll be driving on the right-hand side of the road in a left-hand vehicle car. The roads are generally in good condition and well signposted. You’ll find that the roads change from standard major highways to winding mountain roads with impressive views.

Speed limits and distances are measured in miles per hour across all the Hawaiian Islands and are generally lower than the rest of the US. Limits are interchangeable depending on the road type, so keep an eye out for any signs. On major highways the speed limit is generally 55mph (88km/h) and increases to 60mph (96km/h) on interstate highways.

It is vital that you have a valid International driver’s licence written in English to be able to drive on Kauai. Present the one you have from home at the Lihue Airport pick-up point and you’ll be in your vehicle and on the road in no time.

From Lihue airport, you can experience all the magic that the Garden Island has to offer. As Hawaii’s fourth-largest island, Kauai has plenty of wonders to discover whilst on your Hawaiian adventure.

Living it up in Lihue

On the south-east coast of the island and home to the main airport, Lihue is the main place to visit when in Kauai. Take a short five-minute drive from the airport to Kalapaki Beach, where you can enjoy surfing, stand-up paddle boarding, swimming and more.

From here, you can drive north on highway 583 to find the famous Wailua Falls and their enchanting natural beauty. If you want to see more natural wonders, drive back down the same highway and past the airport to get to Alekoko Fishpond, an aquaculture reservoir dating back over 1,000 years.

Up on the North Shore

The North Shore is one of the most famous spots across the Hawaiian Islands. Sporting vibrant green mountains and beautiful stretches of sand, you’ll no doubt be mesmerized by its postcard-like splendour.

The northernmost tip of Kauai, the Kilauea Point Lighthouse offers panoramic views and holds some fascinating history. Built in 1913 to shine the light for travelling ships, the lighthouse stands at 52-feet tall and allows visitors fantastic views of the jagged northern coastline and the Pacific Ocean. Head up into the lighthouse and you will be treated with some of the best views on the island, perfect for vacation snaps.

The sizzling South Shore

The South Shore is one of the most impressive displays of nature you’re likely to find anywhere in the world.

Enjoy some peace and tranquillity within Allerton Garden, a vibrant jungle of luscious greenery cultivated by generations of nature lovers. The garden offers the perfect spot to appreciate artistic talent and the beauty of wildlife in a serene setting.

If you enjoy a day at the beach, then you won’t be disappointed here. The perfectly-clear waters that lap against the beautiful crescent shaped Poipu beach make this location popular with tourists and locals alike. Basque in the sunshine or enjoy some water-based activities and keep an eye out for Hawaiian monk seals - you might be lucky enough to visit on the same day they do.

The wonders of the Napali Coast

To truly experience an authentic Hawaiian adventure, journey to the Napali Coast to the north-west of the island. As the area has been practically untouched since Hawaiian settlers arrived in 1200AD, this is as natural an experience as you can get in Hawaii.

The towering cliffs around the Napali Coast are a vibrant emerald green, and it is between these cliffs that you can find beautiful vacant beaches on refreshing natural waterfalls. The area is the epitome of natural living, proven by the settlers that once lived here. Having only the food that grows locally and freshly caught fish to eat, the Napali Coast has an essence of purity that has stood the test of time.

With the whole of Kauai to explore, your journey will be made all the more enjoyable with car rental from Lihue Airport. By picking up the keys to your vehicle, you’ll be getting the key to Hawaii.