November 3, 2024 - Maui car rental prices have shot up sharply this week, rising to their highest levels since last winter's highs. This week's increase comes right after a sharp drop last week, that followed a slow steady rise over several weeks starting in late September. The price movement over the last few weeks has taken the shape of a rollercoaster (see Figure 1).

CHEAPEST MAUI CAR RENTAL PRICES FOR MONDAY 11/4/24

This week the cheapest price for a one week car rental from Maui's Kahului Airport (OGG) is $508/week (up $245 from last week). For a rental from nearby off-airport locations served by shuttle, the cheapest price is $530/week (up $324). These prices include all taxes and fees, but they do not include insurance or any other optional add-ons like roadside assistance or re-fueling.

The price for an airport rental from OGG is now near its highest level of 2024, that was $601/week, reached in February. The price for an off-airport rental has reached a new high for 2024, surpassing the previous high of $447/week, that was also reached in February.

Sudden price rises in Maui car rental prices are not unusual and can happen at various times during the year associated with heavy seasonal travel. But this week there is no seasonal variation that explains the sharp price increase. We believe that prices are in a period of high volatility as car rental companies have not yet fully adjusted their inventory levels that were sharply cut last year after the Lahaina wildfires. In this environment of reduced supply, the increased demand from relatively small fluctuations in visitor arrivals to Maui can lead to big price movements.

We monitor Maui car rental price data as part of our weekly survey of car rental prices for a one-week rental. Every Sunday, we check prices for a one-week rental beginning the following day, Monday. The lowest advertised rate week by week for the entire last year is shown in the accompanying chart (Figure 3), for both airport and off-airport categories.

Usually, more than 90% of the time, this last-minute price is the lowest available price for the rental, lower than a price booked in advance. See our research on When is The Best Time to Book a Car in Maui. 

PRICES INCREASED FOR ALL VEHICLE TYPES

These are the cheapest one week rental prices for each vehicle type, from Maui's Kahului Airport (OGG), with the change from the previous week:

Category Price Change
Economy $508 +93%
Midsize $522 +81%
Jeep $1,052 +136%
Convertbl $446 +20%
SUV $539 +41%
7 St SUV $667 +56%
Minivan $678 +78%

This week, the best price for an economy car is $508/week from Thrifty. For a midsize car, it's $522/week, also from Thrifty. The best deal on a Jeep is $1,053/week from Payless, more than double last week's lowest price. Convertibles are $446/week at Budget. SUV's are $539/week at Thrifty, and minivans are just $678/week, at Dollar (See Figure 2).

These prices apply for the cost of a one-week rental from Maui's Kahului Airport (OGG), beginning on Monday, November 4. The price includes all taxes and fees, but does not include optional items like supplemental liability insurance, collision and comprehensive, roadside assistance, and so on.

AIRPORT PRICES VS. OFF-AIRPORT

The prices listed above are all for rentals from the airport. Usually, cheaper prices are available for rentals from nearby off-airport locations served by shuttle. But this week we are seeing no availability for some vehicle types at off-airport locations. (See Figure 3).

These prices are from our survey taken on 11/3/24, for a one-week rental from Maui's Kahului Airport (OGG), beginning on Monday, 11/4/24, for seven vehicle categories, Economy Car, Midsize Car, Convertible, Jeep, SUV, 7-passenger SUV, and Minivan. The rental companies covered in the survey are Ace, Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Fox, Hertz, National, NU, Payless, SiXT, and Thrifty. For more info on the companies we cover, see our blog post on customer satisfaction ratings for these Maui car rental companies .

HOW TO CHECK RATES AND AVAILABILITY FOR MAUI CAR RENTAL

Either click through to to our Cars & Rates section, or check our booking site at rentals.mauicarrental.biz. This site gives you access to all vehicles from eight different companies - Ace, Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Payless, and Thrifty - at all their Maui locations, that include the Airport rentacar center, Kahului town locations nearby the airport, and resort locations in Kihei/Wailea, and Ka'anapali. With so many options to choose from, you are assured to find the rental car that matches your preferences and your budget for your Maui trip - and there is never a cancellation penalty if you have to change plans.

Price Data Sources: rentalcars.com, rentals.mauicarrental.biz