Planning to visit more than just Oahu? Getting around on Hawaii's neighbor islands is a completely different experience from Honolulu. There is no Waikiki trolley, no extensive bus network, and in many areas no rideshare service at all. Whether you are flying into Maui, the Big Island, or Kauai, understanding your ground transportation options before you land is essential to a smooth trip.

MJX EXPRESS operates direct private transfer service on Oahu. For the neighbor islands, we work with a vetted partner network of licensed, insured transportation providers so you can book your entire multi-island Hawaii trip through a single point of contact. This guide covers airport transfers, driving distances, and honest recommendations for every major destination on Maui, the Big Island, and Kauai.

Maui (OGG — Kahului Airport)

Kahului Airport is Maui's only commercial airport, located on the island's north-central coast. Nearly every visitor to Maui flies into OGG, and the first challenge is getting from the airport to your resort. Unlike Oahu, Maui has extremely limited public transportation, and the island's best beaches and resort areas are spread across three distinct regions.

Key distances from Kahului Airport

Maui airport transfer options

A rental car is almost a necessity on Maui. The island's public transit system, the Maui Bus, covers limited routes with infrequent schedules and is not designed for visitors with luggage. Uber and Lyft operate on Maui but availability is far less reliable than on Oahu, especially during early morning or late evening hours. Wait times of 15 to 30 minutes are common, and surge pricing hits hard when multiple flights land simultaneously.

For the airport-to-resort leg, a private car transfer makes strong sense even if you plan to rent a car later. Many visitors pick up their rental on day two after resting, rather than navigating unfamiliar roads after a long flight. Private transfers from OGG to Ka'anapali typically run $120 to $180 depending on vehicle type, while Wailea transfers are $80 to $120.

Our recommendation: rent a car for your Maui stay, but consider a private transfer for the airport run. If you are staying in Wailea and plan to spend most of your time at the resort, you might manage without a car by combining resort shuttles with the occasional rideshare, but this limits your flexibility significantly.

Big Island (KOA — Kona / ITO — Hilo)

The Big Island is unique among Hawaiian islands because it has two commercial airports separated by a 2.5-hour drive. Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport (KOA) on the west coast serves the major resort areas, while Hilo International Airport (ITO) on the east coast is the gateway to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and the town of Hilo. Make sure you fly into the right airport for your destination.

From Kona Airport (KOA)

From Hilo Airport (ITO)

Public transit on the Big Island is virtually nonexistent for visitors. The Hele-On Bus runs a few routes, but schedules are limited to a handful of trips per day, and the service is not practical for airport transfers or resort access. Uber and Lyft have minimal presence on the Big Island. You might find a driver near Kona during peak hours, but outside of that, rideshare is unreliable.

A rental car is essential on the Big Island. The island is massive, roughly the size of Connecticut, and everything is spread out. Even within the resort areas along the Kohala Coast, distances between restaurants, beaches, and activities require a car. That said, a private car transfer for the airport pickup is a smart move, especially after a long flight. Let a local driver handle the unfamiliar roads while you decompress.

Need a Neighbor Island Transfer?

MJX EXPRESS coordinates private airport transfers on Maui, Big Island, and Kauai through our vetted partner network. One booking, one point of contact, professional service on every island.

Contact Us for Neighbor Islands

Kauai (LIH — Lihue Airport)

Kauai is the smallest and most laid-back of the four main Hawaiian islands. Lihue Airport sits on the eastern shore, and the good news is that most resort destinations are within a 30 to 45 minute drive. The island has a single main highway that loops around most of the coast, making navigation straightforward.

Key distances from Lihue Airport

Kauai has the Kauai Bus, which runs limited routes between Lihue, Kapa'a, Poipu, and Princeville. At $2 per ride, it is affordable, but service runs only Monday through Saturday with the last bus departing well before evening. The bus does not allow large luggage, so it is not a realistic airport transfer option for most visitors.

Uber and Lyft have a small presence on Kauai, but drivers are few and wait times are unpredictable. A rental car is strongly recommended for exploring Kauai, as the island's biggest attractions, including Waimea Canyon, the Na Pali Coast lookout, and various hiking trailheads, are spread across the island and not reachable by any transit.

For the airport transfer specifically, a private car works well, especially if you are arriving late or traveling with family. It is a comfortable way to start your trip while you figure out the island's relaxed pace. Some visitors rent a car at the airport right away, which also works fine since Kauai's roads are simpler than Maui's.

Island-by-Island Transportation Comparison

Here is a quick reference to help you decide what transportation you need on each Hawaiian island.

Island Best Transport Rental Car Needed? Private Car Available?
Oahu Private car, Uber, or TheBus Optional — good transit in Waikiki Yes — MJX EXPRESS direct service
Maui Rental car + private airport transfer Almost certainly yes Yes — via MJX partner network
Big Island Rental car + private airport transfer Essential — island is very large Yes — via MJX partner network
Kauai Rental car recommended Likely yes for exploring Yes — via MJX partner network

Which islands need a rental car?

Maui and the Big Island almost certainly require a rental car. Public transit is minimal, rideshare is unreliable, and attractions are spread far apart. Kauai is similar, though the island is small enough that you could manage with a mix of private transfers and resort shuttles if you stay put most days. Oahu is the only Hawaiian island where you can comfortably vacation without a car, thanks to Waikiki's walkability, TheBus, and reliable rideshare coverage.

How to Book Neighbor Island Transfers Through MJX EXPRESS

While MJX EXPRESS operates its own fleet on Oahu, we have built a carefully vetted partner network on Maui, the Big Island, and Kauai. Every partner driver is commercially licensed, fully insured, and held to the same service standards we maintain on Oahu: flight tracking, meet-and-greet at baggage claim, complimentary child seats, and flat-rate pricing with no surge fees.

To book a neighbor island transfer, simply contact us with your flight details and destination. We handle the coordination with our local partner, confirm your booking, and provide you with driver details before your arrival. You get one point of contact for your entire Hawaii trip, even if you are visiting three different islands. Payment is processed through MJX EXPRESS directly, so you do not need to deal with multiple vendors.

This service is especially valuable for multi-island trips. Imagine flying from Honolulu to Maui to the Big Island over ten days. Instead of researching separate transportation providers on each island, you book once through MJX EXPRESS and a professional driver is waiting for you at every airport. That is the kind of seamless experience that turns a good vacation into a great one.

Island Hopping Tips: Getting Between Islands

There are no ferries between most Hawaiian islands, so inter-island travel means flying. Hawaiian Airlines and Southwest Airlines operate frequent inter-island flights, with most routes taking only 30 to 50 minutes in the air. Flights between Honolulu and Maui, the Big Island, or Kauai typically cost $60 to $150 each way depending on the season and how far ahead you book.

A few practical tips for island hopping. First, book inter-island flights early, as prices climb sharply closer to the travel date. Second, note that each island's airport has a different feel. Kahului (OGG) on Maui is a medium-sized airport with open-air terminals. Kona (KOA) on the Big Island is famously outdoors, with no enclosed terminal and luggage carousels under open-air shelters. Lihue (LIH) on Kauai is small and easy to navigate but has very limited food options.

Third, give yourself enough time between flights to account for ground transportation on each end. A common mistake is booking a tight connection without factoring in the 30 to 45 minute drive from your resort to the airport. Plan for at least three hours between your resort departure and your inter-island departure time. Finally, if you are renting cars on multiple islands, return each rental before your flight and arrange a separate pickup on the next island rather than trying to coordinate drop-off timing at the last minute.

Final Thoughts: Planning Your Multi-Island Hawaii Trip

The neighbor islands offer a completely different Hawaii experience from the bustle of Waikiki. Maui's golden beaches, the Big Island's volcanic landscapes, and Kauai's emerald cliffs each deserve their own visit. But unlike Oahu, these islands demand more transportation planning. The biggest mistake visitors make is assuming they can get around the neighbor islands the same way they navigate Honolulu.

Plan your ground transportation before you book your flights. Know which islands require a rental car, when a private transfer makes more sense than driving yourself, and how to connect the dots between airports and resorts. With the right plan in place, island hopping across Hawaii is one of the most rewarding travel experiences in the world.