Travel

Flight

Lihue Airport (LIH)

You’ll fly into Lihue Airport (LIH) - Kauai’s only major airport, located on the southeast side of the island. Then Drive to the North Shore. From Lihue Airport, it’s about an hour drive to the North Shore (Princeville, Hanalei, or Kilauea areas). The drive winds along Kauai’s breathtaking coastline - so plan to roll the windows down and take in the views!

Rental Car

Turo Parking Lot

Having a car on Kauai is a must! The island is spread out, and you’ll want the flexibility to explore beaches, hikes, and everything the island has to offer at your own pace. We highly recommend renting through Turo, which makes it easy to reserve a car directly from local hosts. There’s a free shuttle from the Lihue Airport (LIH) to the nearby Turo lot (about five minutes away), and pickup is quick and simple. You can also rent a car directly through the Lihue Airport from one of the major rental companies - both options are great, but cars book up quickly, so we strongly suggest reserving well in advance! If you’re on the same flight as family or friends, it’s a great idea to share a bigger car or SUV - it makes things more cost-effective, and makes getting around the island much easier!

House Or Rental

Airbnb's or Hotels

There aren’t many large resorts in this area, which is part of its charm. We highly recommend booking an Airbnb or VRBO - it’s the best way to experience the island, have space to relax, and stay close to other guests. We recommend staying in the Hanalei or Princeville area. Both are close to one another (about a 5 minute drive apart) and offer plenty of options for different budgets and group sizes. Recommended Areas: Hanalei – The heart of the North Shore and home to the island’s main town. Everything is walkable - food, coffee, shops, and the famous Hanalei Bay, one of the most beautiful beaches on Kauai. Ideal if you want to be near the ocean and local spots. Princeville - A residential community on a scenic bluff overlooking the water, with beautiful vacation rentals and resorts. It’s a short 5 min drive to Hanalei town and offers a peaceful home base. We especially recommend staying (if you can!) near 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay, where the beach is public access to walk to. The hotel’s restaurants, bar, and café, and beach are open to the public, and there’s another beautiful beach nearby called Hideaway beach. It's perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and sunsets! Lodging Options: We suggest Airbnbs especially if you're staying for more than a few days as its the most cost-effective. The nearby hotels are also great! 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay ($$$$) - If you’re looking to splurge, this luxury resort overlooks Hanalei Bay with direct beach access overlooking Hanalei Bay. The views of the bay and surrounding mountains are breathtaking. The Cliffs at Princeville ($$-$$$) - Condo-style stays with ocean views and full kitchens. Hanalei Bay Resort ($$-$$$) - Comfortable and central, with pools and easy access to Hanalei Bay. The Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas ($$$) - Condo-style villas with great amenities and family-friendly options. Club Wyndham Bali Hai Villas ($$) Condo-style spacious one, two and three-bedroom suites - full kitchen, washer/dryer, & lanai.