Rental car
The easiest way to get around Maui. From the Kahului Airport (OGG) terminal, an electric tram runs to the consolidated rental car facility. Demand is high, so book ahead.
Korean MOFA travel advisory: Level 1 (exercise caution) — whole country
checked 2026-10-01 · Details ↗ This is the Korean government’s advisory — also check your own government’s travel advice.
Maui (Hawaii) Travel Guide
Hawaii's second-largest island packs sunrise above the clouds at Haleakalā's 3,000m-plus summit, the rainforest coast of the Road to Hāna and calm west- and south-side beaches. It suits nature and beach trips by rental car, and humpback whales visit in winter.
Plan your Maui (Hawaii) trip
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✈ We show Honolulu Airport prices because Incheon fares to Kahului Airport (OGG) couldn't be found. Inter-island flights run from Honolulu to Kahului, with a flight time of about 30 minutes; check airline official information for schedules and fares.
Lowest fare: Seoul (ICN) → Honolulu Airport (HNL)
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At a glance
- Currency
- USD ($)
- Power & plugs
- 120V · Type A/B
- Driving side
- Right
- Tipping
- Expected (usually 15–20%)
- Local language
- English
- How long to stay
- 5 to 6 days
Emergency numbers
When to go
Warm all year. Humpback whales are usually seen from November to April, peaking January to March. Winter brings a little more rain and higher surf on north shores. Holidays, summer break and year-end push up flights, hotels and rental cars.
Airport to the city
Taxi, shuttle or ride-hailing
The airport has taxis, airport shuttles and designated ride-hailing (TNC) pickup zones. Resort areas are some distance away, so fares can add up.
Maui Bus (public bus)
Upcountry and Haiku routes stop at marked stops in front of the terminal about every 90 minutes. Only one medium bag up to 22 x 14 x 9 inches that fits on your lap or under the seat is allowed, so it doesn't work with large suitcases.
Getting around
Rental car
Practically essential for spread-out sights like Haleakalā, the Road to Hāna and ʻĪao Valley. Many resorts charge for parking, so check when booking.
Maui Bus
Public buses link Kahului, Wailuku, Kīhei, West Maui and other main areas. Service is infrequent and doesn't reach Haleakalā's summit or Hāna, so treat it as a backup.
Taxis and ride-hailing
Handy for dinners and short trips, but can be hard to find in remote areas or before dawn.
Walking
Resort areas like Kāʻanapali and Wailea have pleasant beach walkways. Elsewhere, distances call for a car.
Where to stay
West Maui (Kāʻanapali and Kapalua)
Good for: Resort stays, beaches, sunsets
Resorts line long sandy beaches. Lahaina is a community recovering from the 2023 wildfire; visit only areas officially open, with respect.
South Maui (Kīhei and Wailea)
Good for: Families, beaches, snorkeling
Often sunny with relatively calm water. Kīhei has a wide range of stays, while Wailea is a quiet resort area.
Central Maui (Kahului and Wailuku)
Good for: Airport access, local life
The island's everyday hub with the airport and big stores, close to ʻĪao Valley and well placed for any direction.
Upcountry (Makawao and Kula)
Good for: Haleakalā access, rural feel
Cool highland towns on Haleakalā's slopes, close for sunrise trips but with few places to stay.
East Maui (Hāna)
Good for: Quiet nature, an overnight stop
A small town at the end of the Road to Hāna. A day trip means a long drive, so staying a night makes it more relaxed.
Map of stays in Maui (Hawaii)
Compare prices from many booking sites on the map
Search stays in Maui (Hawaii) in the appMap & prices: Stay22 — you book on each site
Top sights
Haleakalā National Park (Summit)
Famous for sunrise from the 3,055m (10,023 ft) summit. Each vehicle entering from 3-7 a.m. needs a sunrise reservation (about US$1) from the official booking site, released up to 60 days ahead. Entry is about US$30 per private vehicle, valid 3 days.
Haleakalā National Park (Kīpahulu District)
The coastal district about 12 miles past Hāna town, covered by the same park pass. The Pools of ʻOheʻo are closed to entry for safety, but you can view them from the Kūloa Point Trail.
Road to Hāna (Hāna Highway)
A winding drive past waterfalls, rainforest and sea cliffs. There are many one-lane bridges, so drive slowly and park only in designated spaces.
Waiʻānapanapa State Park
A black-sand beach and lava coastline. Non-residents must reserve a time slot in advance, with about US$5 entry per person and about US$10 parking per vehicle. Open 7 a.m.-6 p.m.
ʻĪao Valley State Monument
Home to Kūkaemoku (the ʻĪao Needle), rising about 1,200 feet from the valley floor, and the site of the 1790 Battle of Kepaniwai. Non-residents need an advance reservation; check official information for fees.
Molokini
A crescent-shaped crater off Maui's southwest coast and a protected marine life conservation district, popular for snorkeling. Usually reached by boat; don't touch or feed coral and marine life.
Kāʻanapali Beach
West Maui's signature long sandy beach, with a beach walkway and beautiful sunsets.
Wailea beaches
South Maui's calm beaches. Mornings are often still, good for swimming and snorkeling.
What to eat
Poke
Cubed raw fish tossed with soy sauce and sesame oil, Hawaii's signature dish, easy to find even at supermarket deli counters.
Plate lunch
Two scoops of rice, macaroni salad and a meat dish — a filling Hawaiian-style meal for long driving days like the Road to Hāna.
Loco moco
Rice topped with a hamburger patty, a fried egg and gravy — a hearty meal.
Shave ice
Finely shaved ice with fruit syrups, perfect on a hot day.
Spam musubi
Grilled Spam wrapped with rice and seaweed, an easy snack for early starts like the Haleakalā sunrise.
Daily budget (per person)
Budgetabout US$180 per day: budget lodging, supermarket meals, shared rental car
Mid-rangeabout US$350-450 per day: resort-area hotel, restaurants, rental car
Comfortabout US$800+ per day: ocean-view resort, tours, private transport
Amounts are rough figures in local currency. Check exchange rates before you go.
Sample itinerary
- Day 1
Inter-island flight from Honolulu to Kahului, pick up a rental car, check in, sunset on the beach.
- Day 2
Pre-dawn Haleakalā summit sunrise (reservation and warm layers), then Upcountry towns and a relaxed afternoon.
- Day 3
Early start on the Road to Hāna, Waiʻānapanapa State Park (timed reservation), Hāna town or the Kīpahulu District, then return before dark or stay overnight in Hāna.
- Day 4
ʻĪao Valley in the morning (reservation), Molokini snorkeling or Wailea beaches in the afternoon, then the airport with time to spare.
Local tips
- Entry requirements (ESTA, etc.) can change, so check official US government or embassy information before you travel.
- Lahaina is a community recovering from the 2023 wildfire. Follow posted signs, stay out of restricted areas and please don't photograph fire-impacted sites. Supporting businesses that have reopened helps the community.
- Haleakalā's summit is roughly 30°F colder than the coast, and conditions before dawn are often wet, windy and below freezing. Bring a warm jacket and long pants, and move slowly at high altitude.
- On the Road to Hāna, drive slowly, yield at one-lane bridges and pull over safely to let others pass. Parking in no-parking zones brings fines, so avoid private property and places without welcome signs, and never enter streams during heavy rain.
- Waves, wind and currents can be strong. Follow beach safety signs and lifeguards, and when in doubt, don't go out.
- Hawaii law bans the sale of sunscreens containing oxybenzone or octinoxate. Use reef-friendly sunscreen.
- Sea turtles are protected by law. Stay at least 10 feet (3m) away on land and in water, and never touch or feed them.
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