Self-drive road trip · USA
Seven Days of Tropical Beaches, Waterfalls, Canyons and Unforgettable Island Roads
Per person, estimatedUS$968
Welcome to Kauai, the oldest and one of the most beautiful of the Hawaiian Islands.
Known as the Garden Island, Kauai combines emerald mountains, tropical valleys, waterfalls, golden beaches and the spectacular cliffs of the Nāpali Coast. With your own rental car, you are free to discover the island at your preferred pace.
Stay six nights at your selected hotel and use it as a comfortable base for exploring. Visit Waimea Canyon and Kōkeʻe State Park, drive along the lush North Shore to Hanalei, discover waterfalls along the Wailua River and spend time on the beaches of Poʻipū.
The suggested package includes six nights, but your vacation is fully flexible. Add or remove nights, choose your preferred hotel and select the rental-car category that best suits your needs.
You decide how long you stay!
Explore the whole island on your own schedule with a rental car
One hotel base — no packing and unpacking every night
Waimea Canyon and Kōkeʻe rainforest right on your doorstep
Waterfalls, lush valleys and the dramatic Nāpali Coast cliffs
Golden beaches at Poʻipū and the laid-back North Shore
Hotels to suit every budget, from cozy inns to 5-star resorts
Add or remove nights — the trip works around you
Every stop has a hotel already chosen for you. Open a stop to swap the hotel, add activities or stay longer. The price updates as you go.
Want more time somewhere? Open any stop and tap Add a night. Every day after it moves back, and your dates and price update automatically.
Stay longer or shorter in WELCOME TO KAUAI
Your stay in WELCOME TO KAUAIDays 1–7
Each night you add pushes the rest of the trip back by a day. Your dates, hotels, car and price all update for you, and you can undo it anytime.
Pick up your car at LIHUE (LIH), from 10:00. It's yours for all 7 days.
Aloha and welcome to Kauai!
After arriving at Lihue Airport, collect your rental car and drive to your selected hotel.
Check in and take some time to relax after your journey. Depending on your arrival time, enjoy your hotel facilities, visit a nearby beach or experience your first Hawaiian sunset.
Driving distance and time depend on the location of your selected hotel.
Overnight on Kauai.
Overnight: Plantation Hale Suites, night 1 of 6
Begin your exploration along Kauai’s lush eastern shore.
Visit Wailua Falls, one of the island’s most recognisable waterfalls, before continuing toward the Wailua River. Stop at ʻŌpaekaʻa Falls and enjoy views across the tropical Wailua Valley.
You may wish to add an optional kayaking excursion on the Wailua River or take a boat trip to Fern Grotto. Later, explore Kapaʻa, with its local shops, cafés and relaxed island atmosphere.
Spend the remainder of the day on one of the East Coast beaches before returning to your hotel.
Suggested driving: approximately 25–50 miles / 40–80 kilometres, depending on your hotel and selected stops.
Overnight on Kauai.
Overnight: Plantation Hale Suites, night 2 of 6
Today, drive north through some of Kauai’s most beautiful tropical scenery.
Stop at the Kīlauea area before continuing to Princeville and the magnificent Hanalei Valley Lookout. Descend into Hanalei, a relaxed small town surrounded by green mountains and taro fields.
Spend time at Hanalei Bay or continue west along the coast toward Hāʻena and Kēʻē Beach. The road passes beaches, tropical gardens and dramatic mountain scenery.
Advance reservations are required for non-Hawaii residents wishing to enter Hāʻena State Park or use its parking and shuttle services. Availability is limited, so reservations should be arranged before arrival.
Suggested driving: approximately 50–90 miles / 80–145 kilometres, depending on your hotel and whether you continue to Hāʻena.
Overnight on Kauai.
Overnight: Plantation Hale Suites, night 3 of 6
Today brings one of the greatest highlights of your Kauai vacation.
Drive west through the historic town of Waimea and climb into the mountains toward Waimea Canyon. Often called the Grand Canyon of the Pacific, the canyon is filled with colourful cliffs, deep valleys and distant waterfalls.
Continue into Kōkeʻe State Park, where mountain viewpoints look across the valleys and cliffs of the Nāpali Coast. Weather conditions can change quickly at the higher elevations, so bring a light jacket and allow plenty of time for scenic stops.
Return toward the coast in the afternoon. If time permits, stop in the small towns of Waimea or Hanapēpē before returning to your hotel.
Suggested driving: approximately 80–120 miles / 130–195 kilometres, depending on your hotel and chosen viewpoints.
Overnight on Kauai.
Overnight: Plantation Hale Suites, night 4 of 6
Enjoy a relaxed day exploring Kauai’s sunny South Shore.
Begin in historic Old Kōloa Town before continuing to Poʻipū. Spend time on Poʻipū Beach, explore the coastline or enjoy lunch at one of the area’s restaurants.
Continue to Spouting Horn, where waves force seawater through a natural opening in the lava rock. You may also visit one of the South Shore’s botanical gardens or take a walk along the coast.
Please observe all beach warnings and remain a safe distance from Hawaiian monk seals and sea turtles resting on the sand.
Suggested driving: approximately 25–60 miles / 40–95 kilometres, depending on your hotel.
Overnight on Kauai.
Overnight: Plantation Hale Suites, night 5 of 6
Your final complete day is yours to enjoy as you choose.
The Nāpali Coast is one of Hawaii’s most spectacular landscapes, with towering green cliffs, hidden valleys and remote beaches. As there is no road along this part of the island, the coastline is best experienced on an optional boat cruise or scenic helicopter flight.
Alternatively, enjoy a relaxing beach day, return to your favourite part of the island or explore somewhere you may have missed.
During winter and spring, an optional whale-watching excursion may also be available.
Overnight on Kauai.
Overnight: Plantation Hale Suites, night 6 of 6
“Discover Plantation Hale, a beachside gem on Kauai's east coast offering spacious condos with full kitchens, stunning ocean views, and a prime location steps from the beach and local attractions. Guests consistently praise the clean, comfortable accommodations, helpful and responsive staff, and convenient access to explore the island in any direction.”
Included in your trip6 Nights, 525 Aleka Loop
No set plans here. Wander, linger over dinner and let WELCOME TO KAUAI surprise you.
Return your car at LIHUE (LIH) by 10:00, then check in for your flight home.
Enjoy your final morning on the Garden Island.
Depending on your flight time, relax at your hotel, visit a nearby beach or enjoy a final Hawaiian breakfast.
Drive to Lihue Airport, return your rental car and continue with your onward journey.
If six nights are not enough, simply increase the number of nights—it’s your choice.
Departure day · No overnight stay
A rental car is included for all 7 days. Want more room or comfort? Upgrade below.
Pick up, day 1LIHUE (LIH), from 10:00
Return, day 6LIHUE (LIH), by 10:00
Good to knowUnlimited miles. Rates assume a driver aged 30 or over.
Operated by Avia Travel & Tours.
Download this tour's PDF brochure and plan offline: every day, your hotels, the car and our phone numbers.
Our travel experts know these roads. Call and we'll tailor the trip with you.
Estimated total, 2 travelersUS$1,936
How this road trip stacks up against similar self-drive tours, side by side.
| Tour | |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price, per person | ||||
| From | US$968 | US$712 | US$595 | US$598 |
| Per night | US$161 / night | US$119 / night | US$85 / nightBest | US$85 / night |
| The trip | ||||
| Duration | 7 days, 6 nights | 7 days, 6 nights | 8 days, 7 nights | 8 days, 7 nights |
| You're viewing this tour | View tour | View tour | View tour |
"From" prices are per person for 2 travelers sharing, at the cheapest hotels. Driving is estimated from the stop locations.
| Stops | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 |
|---|
| Places | Wailua | Kailua-Kona, Hilo | Honolulu | Phoenix, Sedona, Grand Canyon South Rim, Las Vegas |
|---|
| Start and finish | Lihue Kauai | Kona International Airport (KOA) | Honolulu | Phoenix – Las Vegas |
|---|
| On the road |
|---|
| Total driving | Not listed | About 120 km | Not listed | About 705 km |
|---|
| Longest drive day | Not listed | About 120 kmBest | Not listed | About 335 km |
|---|
| Car included | Compact | Compact | Compact | Compact |
|---|
| Stays and extras |
|---|
| Hotels included | 3-star hotels | 2 to 3-star hotels | 4-star hotels | 3 to 4-star hotels |
|---|
| Hotel choice | About 13 hotels per stop | About 8 hotels per stop | About 25 hotels per stopBest | About 14 hotels per stop |
|---|
| Airport transfer | Not included | Not included | Not included | Not included |
|---|
FromUS$595per person
