Kona airport named most expensive destination to rent a car this winter in U.S.

Out of 100 airports across the country, Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport on Hawai‘i Island was named the most expensive destination to rent a car this winter in the United States.

A survey by CheapCarRental.com compared rental car rates during the period from December 2025 to February 2026. The results revealed an average rate of $127 per day for the most affordable car from the Kona airport.

Coming in second most expensive is Kahului Airport on Maui at an average of $104, with Palm Springs, Calif., third priciest at an average of $91, according to the survey.

Kona airport’s average rate is $23 more than second-place Kahului and more than double the average daily rental rate of all 100 airports at $62.25, which is up just 1% compared with winter’s rates from a year ago.

While no reasons were given for why Kona was by far the priciest place to rent a car during the winter, it is Hawaiʻi’s high season. And the week before Christmas through New Year’s is known as Hawaiʻiʻs “Festive Season,” said Stephanie Donoho, administrative director for the Kohala Coast Resort Association.

As a result of the busy season, people are hit with dynamic pricing for most everything, including groceries, hotels and rental vehicles, Donoho said.

She said the same type of rate increases during the world-renowned hula competition Merrie Monarch in Hilo in the spring and the Ironman World Championship race in Kona in the fall. When demand goes up and supply goes down for rooms and rental vehicles, rates go up.

Looking at car availability on Expedia on Friday, there were no vehicles listed for the time period of Dec. 21 to Jan. 4. The same was true for Turo, an online marketplace where people can rent other people’s personal vehicles.

If you just needed a one-week car rental, from Dec. 21 to 28, Turo had exactly one car available on Friday evening: a 2013 Honda CR-V for $275 per day plus taxes.

Keoni Boyer, a concierge at the Mauna Lani Auberge Collection, knows first hand that the prices go up during Festive Season. And, after discussing the survey results from Cheap Car Rental, Boyer said he thought the average number seemed a little low.

“Most people that come here are wanting Jeeps, and that will be $200 to $300 per day,” he said.

Boyer said the demand for rental vehicles is high on the Big Island, because it is hard to get around without your own transportation. While there are some mass transit and ride share, like Uber, available in the main town, outside of the Kona there are limited transportation options.

Taxis also are an option. But Boyer said a guest going from the Kona airport to Mauna Lani can expect to pay a taxi fare of more than $120, plus gratuity.

Boyer said the rental car company the concierge desk works with is completely booked from Dec. 23 to the first of the year.

Joe Webster, owner of Big Island Jeep Rental that has been in business for nine years, said he is unsure how accurate the survey numbers are, wondering if CheapCarRentals.com was looking at rates from budget outfits or luxury companies.

“A hundred bucks a day really isn’t bad,” Webster said.

Since he’s been renting Jeeps, Webster has noticed that Kona has been getting more attention these days, attributing it to social media.

“I think people are starting to see Kona as a destination, and we’re getting more visibility,” Webster said. He added that the ongoing eruption of the volcano Kīlauea also has drawn visitors.

During this holiday season, Webster is renting his Jeeps for approximately $388 per day. During the slow season, Webster said his Jeeps go for about $90 per day.

Webster said his Jeeps are fully booked for the next few weeks, with a waiting list.

For the cheapest average rate this winter, go to Portland, Ore., at just $39.

Just during the Christmas period from Dec 21 to 26, car rental rates average $84 per day – a figure that represents the annual peak. The most significant rate increases, compared to regular winter rates, are recorded at Kahului Airport (+148%), Lihue Airport (+187%) and San Juan Airport (+247%).

Compared with the summer, average car rental rates this winter are down by more than 17%. Seasonal pricing varies widely by destination.

For example, Hawaiian locations are typically among the least expensive places to rent a car during the summer. By contrast, the two priciest summer destinations – Bozeman and Anchorage – rank among the least expensive in winter, the survey said.

Check out the top 10 airports with the highest car rental rates this winter below. Prices shown reflect average rates for the most affordable rental car for the period Dec. 1, 2025 to Feb. 28, 2026.

1. Kona (KOA) $127
2. Kahului (OGG) $104
3. Palm Springs (PSP) $91
4. Long Beach (LGP) $90
5. Madison (MAD) $83
6. Boise (BOI) $81
7. Lihue (LIH) $79
7. Burbank (BUR) $79
9. Louisville (SDF) $77
10. Phoenix (PHX) $76