
The Kalalau Trail is a famous hiking trail located on the island of Kauai, Hawaii. It is an 11-mile hike each way with significant elevation changes and is considered a challenging trek. The trailhead is located approximately 38 miles from Lihue Airport, and there are several options for travellers to get from the airport to the trailhead. Travellers can rent a car, take a taxi or ridesharing service, or use public transportation. Driving is the fastest and cheapest option, taking about 1 hour and costing around $6 to $10 in fuel. Taxis can be expensive, and public transportation, while affordable, may involve multiple transfers and take nearly 2 hours.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Distance | 41 miles |
| Road Distance | 37.8 miles |
| Driving Time | 1 hour 8 minutes |
| Driving Cost | $6 to $10 |
| Cheapest Travel Option | $8 |
| Quickest Travel Option | 1 hour 15 minutes |
| Transport Options | Drive, bus, taxi, shuttle, rideshare, rental car |
| Transport Considerations | Cost, time, availability of internet, parking, permits, safety |
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What You'll Learn
- The drive from Lihue Airport to Kalalau Trail is 37.8 to 41 miles long and takes 1 hour 8 minutes
- Driving is the fastest and cheapest way to get from Lihue Airport to Kalalau Trail
- There is no shuttle service from Lihue Airport to the Kalalau Trailhead
- Taking a taxi from Lihue Airport to Kalalau Trail is possible but expensive
- Public bus services are available from Lihue Airport to Hanalei, from where you can arrange further transport

The drive from Lihue Airport to Kalalau Trail is 37.8 to 41 miles long and takes 1 hour 8 minutes
The drive from Lihue Airport to the Kalalau Trail is between 37.8 and 41 miles long, and takes approximately 1 hour and 8 minutes. The trip can be made by car, bus, or taxi. Driving is the fastest and cheapest option, costing between $6 and $10. The bus is a cheaper alternative, at $35–$55, but the journey takes almost two hours. Taking a taxi is the most expensive option and can be unreliable due to limited internet service in the area.
If you're considering taking the bus, it's worth noting that there are restrictions on luggage—large backpacks, for example, are not allowed. There is a public bus service on Kauai that can take you to Hanalei, which is much closer to the trail, but you would then need to arrange additional transport.
Renting a car is a popular option for visitors to the island, but overnight parking is limited on the North Shore, so you must reserve a spot in advance or arrange for a private drop-off. If you're planning to hike the trail, it's important to note that there is no reliable cell phone coverage at the trailhead, so pre-arranging transportation in advance is essential.
There are shuttle services available, such as the Kauai Island Shuttle, but these may not go directly from the airport to the trailhead. The Haena Shuttle, for example, takes passengers to the Haena State Park parking lot, from which you would need to walk to the trailhead.
Overall, driving is the quickest and most cost-effective way to get from Lihue Airport to the Kalalau Trail, taking just over an hour to travel the 37.8 to 41-mile distance.
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Driving is the fastest and cheapest way to get from Lihue Airport to Kalalau Trail
If you're heading to the Kalalau Trail from Lihue Airport, the fastest and cheapest way to get there is to drive. The drive is approximately 38 miles long and will take around 1 hour and 8 minutes. It will cost between $6 and $10 to make the trip.
There are other ways to get from the airport to the trail, but these are less convenient and more expensive. You could take a taxi, but these are known to be pricey, especially for such a long ride. Taxi services are expensive because they factor the return journey into the fare, as it is unlikely they will find a passenger for the return trip.
You could also take a bus, but this will take longer and cost more. The bus has restrictions on large backpacks and other luggage, so it may not be suitable for hikers. The bus will take almost two hours and cost between $35 and $55.
Some people opt to rent a car, which can be a great way to get around the island. However, overnight parking is limited on the North Shore, so you must reserve a spot in advance or arrange a private drop-off.
There are also shuttle services available, but these do not run directly from the airport to the trailhead. You would need to take a bus or drive to a parking lot, from which the shuttle will take you to Haena State Park.
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There is no shuttle service from Lihue Airport to the Kalalau Trailhead
It is not possible to take a shuttle directly from Lihue Airport to the Kalalau Trailhead. The Kalalau Trail is located in Hāʻena State Park, and while there is a shuttle service to the park, it does not depart from Lihue Airport. Instead, it requires an advanced reservation and departs from locations such as Princeville and Waipa.
There are a few alternative options for getting from Lihue Airport to the Kalalau Trailhead. One option is to drive, which is the cheapest and fastest way to travel between the two points. The driving distance is approximately 38 miles, and the journey takes around 1 hour and 8 minutes. The cost of driving is estimated to be between $6 and $10.
Another option is to take a bus, which is the best way to get to the trailhead without a car. The bus journey takes around 1 hour and 59 minutes and costs between $35 and $55. It is important to note that the bus has restrictions on large backpacks and other similar items.
Additionally, taxi or ride-sharing services are available, although prearranging a pickup is recommended due to unreliable internet service in the area. Finally, it is possible to rent a car to get to the trailhead, but overnight parking is limited on the North Shore, and a spot must be reserved in advance.
While there is no direct shuttle service from Lihue Airport to the Kalalau Trailhead, these alternative transportation methods can help travellers get to their destination.
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Taking a taxi from Lihue Airport to Kalalau Trail is possible but expensive
It is possible to take a taxi from Lihue Airport to Kalalau Trail, but it is an expensive option. The road distance between Lihue Airport and the Kalalau Trail is around 38 miles, and the journey takes approximately 76 minutes.
Taxis from the airport to the trail cost about $3 plus $3 per mile, which works out to be around $120 each way, not including a tip. This makes it a costly option, especially when compared to renting a car, which is the cheapest way to travel between the two points. Driving yourself costs between $6 and $10 and takes around 1 hour and 8 minutes.
Taking a taxi means you will have to coordinate your pick-up time in advance, as there isn't reliable internet service on the island, especially near Kalalau. You will either need to hike out at a set time or call from a payphone at Kee Beach.
Another option is to take the public bus, which costs between $35 and $55 and takes around 1 hour and 59 minutes. This is a much cheaper alternative to taking a taxi but is slower than driving yourself.
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Public bus services are available from Lihue Airport to Hanalei, from where you can arrange further transport
The bus from the airport to Hanalei is the cheapest way to travel between the two locations, with tickets costing $2. The journey takes approximately 49 minutes, and once in Hanalei, you can arrange further transport to the Kalalau Trail. The total bus journey from Lihue Airport to the Kalalau Trail takes 1 hour and 59 minutes and costs between $35 and $55.
Alternatively, you can take a taxi or ride-share service directly from Lihue Airport to the Kalalau Trail, which is the quickest option, taking just over an hour. However, it is important to note that there is limited internet service near Kalalau, so you may not be able to call for a ride when needed.
If you prefer more flexibility and control over your travel arrangements, you can also consider renting a car or making arrangements with a reliable driver in advance to cover all your transportation needs for your trip.
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Frequently asked questions
The distance between Lihue Airport and the Kalalau Trail is about 41 miles, with a road distance of 37.8 miles.
Driving from Lihue Airport to the Kalalau Trail takes approximately 1 hour and 8 minutes.
Some alternatives to driving include taking a bus, taxi, shuttle, or rideshare service. Taking the bus is the cheapest option, costing between $35 and $55, but it also takes the longest at about 2 hours. A taxi or rideshare service is likely to be expensive, and there is no organised shuttle service from the airport to the trailhead.











































