Payless Car Rental
Hawaii

Once you have collected your luggage from baggage claim, you will need to head outside to the designated ground transportation area. Look for signs directing you to the rental car shuttle bus pickup zones, which are typically located on the center median. The consolidated rental car facility is a short ride away from the main terminal buildings. Board the common shuttle bus that services all the rental agencies, and it will take you directly to the center where you can find the Payless counter.

Navigating HNL in the evening is generally straightforward as the airport becomes less crowded. The most reliable method is to follow the overhead signage for "Baggage Claim" first, and then look for "Ground Transportation" or "Rental Car Shuttle." These signs are well-lit and prominently displayed throughout the terminals. Once you are outside the baggage claim area, the shuttle pickup locations are clearly marked, ensuring you can easily find the bus to the rental car center even after dark.

It's wise to budget at least 60 to 90 minutes from the moment you deplane to when you drive off. This accounts for walking through the terminal, a potentially long wait at baggage claim, and the shuttle bus ride to the rental facility. Weekday afternoons can be busy with multiple arriving flights, so the time at the rental counter can also vary. Having your reservation details and driver's license ready will help make the process at the counter as efficient as possible.

This is a smart strategy to save time, especially during peak arrival hours. The person heading for the car should proceed directly to the rental car shuttle bus stop outside baggage claim. They can then ride to the rental facility and begin the check-in process at the Payless counter. The other person can wait for all the luggage and then meet at the designated passenger pickup area outside the rental center once the car is ready.

The most critical part of leaving HNL is getting onto the correct freeway, which is the H-1. As you exit the rental car area, pay close attention to the large overhead signs. You will need to choose between H-1 East for destinations like Waikiki and Honolulu, or H-1 West for Ko Olina and the west side of the island. Using a GPS is highly recommended, but always cross-reference it with the road signs to avoid making a last-minute, unsafe lane change.

To ensure you exit the airport complex cleanly, it's best to set your GPS destination to your first major stop, such as your hotel in Waikiki or a landmark like the Ala Moana Center. Avoid setting it just to "Honolulu," as this can sometimes be too general. By inputting a specific street address, your navigation app will provide clear, turn-by-turn directions onto the H-1 Freeway and away from the airport's internal road system, preventing any accidental loops back toward the terminals.

The most direct and least stressful route is to take the H-1 Freeway East from the airport. Follow the signs for H-1 East/Waikiki. Stay on the H-1 for about 8 miles and then take the Nimitz Highway/Ala Moana Boulevard exit (Exit 23). This route keeps you on a major thoroughfare that leads directly into the Waikiki area with relatively straightforward traffic flow, minimizing complex merges until you get closer to your destination.

After picking up your car, there are several convenient options just a short drive from the airport. You can head toward Nimitz Highway where you'll find major stores like Target or Costco. These locations are ideal for stocking up on essentials like water, snacks, sunscreen, and any beach gear you might need for your trip. This quick stop can save you from paying higher prices for the same items in tourist-heavy areas like Waikiki.

Honolulu experiences significant rush hour traffic, typically from 6:00 AM to 8:30 AM heading into the city, and from 3:30 PM to 6:30 PM heading out. If your flight lands during the afternoon rush, expect heavy congestion on the H-1 Freeway heading both east and west from the airport. If possible, you might consider waiting at the airport for a bit or having a relaxed meal before picking up your car to let the worst of the traffic subside.

When driving from HNL to Waikiki on the H-1 East, the most confusing part is often the series of exits that come up quickly. The split for Nimitz Highway versus remaining on the freeway can be tricky, as can the final exit into Waikiki itself. Pay close attention to signs for the Lunalilo Street and Punahou Street exits, as these are key arteries. It's also important to be aware of lanes that can suddenly become exit-only, so it's best to stay in the middle lanes until your GPS indicates your exit is approaching.

If your hotel's parking is full or costly, Waikiki offers several public and private parking garages. Many visitors use the large parking structure at the Hale Koa Hotel, which is often open to the public, or the lots near the Honolulu Zoo and Kapiolani Park at the eastern end of Waikiki. It's a good idea to check online for current rates and hours of operation for these garages, as they can provide a reliable alternative for overnight parking.

A great strategy is to spend your first few days in Waikiki without a car, as the area is very walkable and has good public transit. When you're ready to explore the rest of Oahu, you can then pick up a rental. While renting from the airport is common, some rental companies have non-airport locations in or near Waikiki, which can be more convenient. Plan your rental period for the days you intend to visit the North Shore, drive the windward coast, or visit other attractions outside the main city.

For a scenic full-day loop, start by driving east from Honolulu on the H-1, which becomes Highway 72 (Kalanianaʻole Highway). This takes you along the stunning coastline past Hanauma Bay and Makapu'u Point. Continue north through the windward towns of Kailua and Kaneohe, then follow the Kamehameha Highway (Highway 83) as it wraps around the northeastern tip of the island. This route will lead you directly to the famous North Shore beaches, after which you can return to Honolulu via the H-2 and H-1 freeways through the center of the island.

Arriving for sunrise in these residential areas requires careful planning as parking is extremely limited and strictly enforced. Lanikai is particularly challenging, with no public parking lots and clear restrictions on street parking in the neighborhood, especially on weekends and holidays. Your best bet is to arrive very early and look for legal street parking in the adjacent Kailua Beach area, then be prepared for a walk. Always read parking signs carefully to avoid getting a ticket or being towed.

Visiting Hanauma Bay requires advance planning as it has a mandatory online reservation system for entry. You must book your time slot days in advance. Once you have a reservation, plan to arrive about 15-20 minutes early, as the parking lot can fill up and may temporarily close. The parking lot is located directly at the nature preserve, making access very convenient once you are admitted, but arriving on time for your reserved slot is critical.

To beat the crowds on the North Shore, it's best to leave Waikiki no later than 7:00 AM, especially on a weekday. This should get you to popular spots like Waimea Bay or Shark's Cove before 8:30 AM, when parking lots start to fill up rapidly. The drive itself can take 60 to 90 minutes without traffic. An early start not only secures you a parking spot but also lets you enjoy the beaches and food trucks before the midday rush arrives from tour buses and other visitors.

The most straightforward route from Waikiki is to take Ala Moana Boulevard to the H-1 Freeway West. Follow the signs for "Pearl Harbor" and take Exit 15A (Arizona Memorial/Stadium). The route is very well-marked with official brown signs. Once you arrive at the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center, there is ample free parking available in several large lots, making it one of the easier major attractions to visit with a rental car.

Parking inside the Diamond Head crater is very limited and fills up extremely early in the morning. To avoid frustration, plan to arrive right when the park opens, or consider going in the early afternoon after the morning rush has subsided. An alternative is to park legally outside the crater along Diamond Head Road or at Kapiolani Community College and walk in. Remember that all out-of-state visitors now need to make an online reservation in advance to enter the park.

A little preparation goes a long way in keeping your rental car clean. Bring a small brush and dustpan to sweep out sand from floor mats before it gets ground in. It's also a great idea to pack a few large plastic bags or a collapsible bin to store wet towels and swimwear, preventing moisture and odors from spreading. Shaking out towels and rinsing feet at beach park showers before getting in the car makes a huge difference and helps avoid potential cleaning fees upon return.

For easy access, Ala Moana Beach Park in Honolulu offers extensive parking just steps from the sand and calm waters. On the windward coast, Kailua Beach Park has large lots with a very short, flat walk to the beach. For scenic views, the Makapu'u Lookout on the east side has a paved parking lot right at the viewpoint, offering incredible vistas with no hiking required. Similarly, the Pali Lookout provides stunning views of the coast from a convenient, accessible parking area.

During the winter, when big wave surfing competitions are held, traffic on the North Shore's two-lane Kamehameha Highway can come to a complete standstill for miles. Parking at famous surf breaks like Sunset Beach, Ehukai Beach (for Banzai Pipeline), and Waimea Bay becomes nearly impossible unless you arrive at dawn. Be prepared for significant delays, follow the directions of traffic controllers, and never park illegally on the shoulder of the road, as you will likely be ticketed or towed.

Driving to Kualoa Ranch is quite scenic and straightforward. From Honolulu, take the H-1 Freeway East to the Likelike Highway (HI-63). This route takes you through the Wilson Tunnel to the windward side. Once you emerge, follow the signs for Kahekili Highway (HI-83) and head north. The ranch is located directly on the highway and is well-signed, making it an easy destination to find without any particularly confusing turns.

The Dole Plantation is a very popular stop on the way to or from the North Shore, causing significant traffic backups on the Kamehameha Highway. To avoid the worst congestion, plan to visit on a weekday and arrive either right when they open in the morning or later in the afternoon, after 3:00 PM. The midday period between 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM is typically the busiest. Arriving during off-peak hours makes finding a spot in their large parking lot much easier.

The drive along Kamehameha Highway (HI-83) from Kailua to Laie is full of safe and accessible stops. Start at Kailua Beach Park, which has ample parking. Heading north, Kualoa Regional Park offers stunning views of Chinaman's Hat with a large, safe parking area. Further along, Kahana Bay Beach Park provides another easy-access stop. Finally, the Laie Point State Wayside has a designated parking area for dramatic coastal views, ensuring you can enjoy the scenery without any risky roadside stops.

This can be a logistical challenge, as leaving luggage unattended in a car is not recommended anywhere. The most secure option is for one part of the group to take a taxi or rideshare to their hotel to drop off their bags. The person picking up the rental car can then collect the rest of the group and their luggage. This split approach ensures all belongings are safely stored before you begin your day of sightseeing.

During your vehicle inspection in Hawaii, be particularly thorough. Walk around the entire car and look for any scratches or dings, paying close attention to the bumpers and doors. Check the tires for adequate tread and any visible damage. Most importantly, inspect the windshield carefully for any small chips or cracks, as these can sometimes be overlooked. Use your phone to take a quick video or photos of any pre-existing damage to have a personal record of the car's condition when you received it.

If a warning light appears, the first step is to pull over safely as soon as possible. Consult the vehicle's owner's manual, usually in the glove compartment, to identify what the light means. For serious warnings like engine temperature or oil pressure, you should not continue driving. Contact the rental company's roadside assistance number provided in your rental agreement for instructions before heading to a remote area like the North Shore.

Driving to a luau in Ko Olina from Waikiki involves dealing with afternoon rush hour traffic, so plan to leave at least 90 minutes to two hours before you need to arrive. For the return trip late at night, traffic will be much lighter, making for a less stressful drive. The H-1 Freeway is well-lit and the most direct route back. To make it even easier, have a passenger navigate or set your GPS before you leave the luau parking lot.

Ala Moana Center offers extensive free parking in its multi-level garages, making it a convenient stop for shopping and dining. The most manageable times to find a good spot are weekday mornings before 11:00 AM. Weekends and weekday afternoons can get very crowded, requiring more time to circle for a space. Pay attention to the color-coded and numbered sections to easily remember where you parked your rental car.

One local custom that often surprises visitors is the tendency for drivers to be more courteous, often letting others merge with a friendly "shaka" sign. However, traffic can be dense, and drivers expect you to be decisive. Be prepared for shorter yellow lights than you might be used to on the mainland. Also, pedestrians have the right of way in crosswalks, and drivers are generally very respectful of this rule, so be sure to stop for them.

Visitors should be particularly cautious on the highways connecting towns, like the Kamehameha Highway on the North Shore or the Kalanianaʻole Highway on the east side. Speed limits can change abruptly as you pass through small towns and residential areas. It's easy to miss these signs when you're focused on the scenery. Always stay vigilant about posted speed limits, especially in school zones or community areas, to avoid an unexpected ticket.

Waikiki's dense layout of one-way streets and hotel porte-cochères can be confusing. Before you arrive, use a map app's street view feature to visualize your hotel's entrance and the surrounding streets. When you get there, it's often best for the driver to stay with the car in a temporary loading zone while passengers quickly unload the luggage with the help of a bellhop. This avoids getting stuck in a valet line or a one-way loop if you don't intend to park there.

To ensure a smooth start, have one adult manage the rental paperwork at the counter while another takes the children and luggage to a safe spot away from the main traffic flow. Once you have the keys, you can drive the car to your family's waiting area to install car seats and load your belongings. This prevents you from blocking the vehicle pickup stalls and gives you the space and time you need to get everyone settled safely and comfortably.

A mid-size sedan or a compact SUV often provides the best balance for an Oahu trip. These vehicles are generally small enough to navigate the notoriously tight parking garages found in many Waikiki hotels and public lots. At the same time, they still offer sufficient trunk space to comfortably fit beach chairs, a cooler, and luggage for a small family. A larger SUV might be more spacious but can become a real challenge in older, more compact parking structures.

The easiest way to refuel is to use a map app on your phone to search for gas stations along Nimitz Highway or Dillingham Boulevard, which are major roads near the airport. Plan to exit the H-1 Freeway a stop or two before the airport exit to find these stations. After filling up, you can then follow clear signs for "Airport Return" or "Rental Car Return," which will guide you directly to the facility without getting caught in the confusing departures and arrivals loops.

For an early morning flight, it's wise to allow at least 30 to 45 minutes for the entire car return process. This includes the vehicle inspection, completing the final paperwork, and taking the shuttle bus from the rental facility back to your airline's terminal. The shuttles run frequently, but building in this buffer accounts for potential waits and ensures you have ample time to check your bags and get through security without rushing.

The most direct and fastest route from Waikiki is to take Ala Moana Boulevard to the H-1 Freeway West. Follow the H-1 and take the main airport exit. Once you are on the airport access roads, ignore the signs for departures and arrivals and instead follow the specific signs for "Rental Car Return." This route avoids city street traffic and is the most efficient way to get to the rental facility when you are short on time.

After you return your car, your entire group will board the same rental car shuttle bus back to the airport. HNL's shuttle system makes stops at all the terminals. Simply listen for the driver to announce the airlines serviced at each stop. You can get off at the appropriate terminal for each airline, making it a simple and organized way to handle drop-offs for a group flying on different carriers.

A great option for a quick, final scenic stop is Keehi Lagoon Beach Park, located just a few minutes from the airport rental car return. It offers beautiful views of the lagoon, the ocean, and planes taking off and landing at HNL. Because it's so close to the airport, you can enjoy a last glimpse of Hawaiian scenery without venturing far off your route or risking a significant delay in returning your vehicle on time.

If you realize you've left an item behind, you should immediately contact the Payless rental office at the HNL location directly. Do not call a central reservations number. Have your rental agreement number and the vehicle information handy to help them identify the car quickly. The staff can then check the vehicle for you, and if the item is found, they will provide instructions on how you can retrieve it.