Kauai: Getting there & around

If you're coming to Kaua'i, then chances are you'll be coming by plane. All international and most domestic flights arrive at Honolulu International Airport, with connections to Lihu'e Airport (246 1448; www.hawaii.gov/dot/airports/kauai/lih; visitor hotline 06:30 - 21:00 ; connections take about 25min. From the mainland, you can catch flights from many airports, including, Las Vegas McCarran International Airport; Los Angeles International Airport; New York JFK International Airport; Washington Dulles International Airport; and Chicago O'Hare International Airport. Three airlines service Lihu'e Airport directly: American Airlines (www.aa.com), United Airlines (www.ual.com) and US Airways (www.usairways.com). Many of the big name airlines, including Air Canada, Qantas and China airlines, fly directly to Honolulu.

If you're island-hopping there are four carriers that service the state: Aloha Airlines (www.alohaairlines.com); go! (www.iflygo.com); Hawaiian Airlines (www.hawaiianair.com) and Island Air (www.islandair.com)

Cruise ships - which are becoming more popular around the islands - include Holland America Cruise Line (www.hollandamerica.com), Princess Cruises (www.princess.com) and Norwegian Cruise Line (www.ncl.com). An interisland ferry service (www.hawaiisuperferry) is due to start routes to most of the islands, including Kaua'i. At the time of research it had yet to commence service, but is expected to start in summer 2007.

Kaua'i is not a big island; however, it would be impractical to just use your hiking boots! Most visitors end up hiring a car. The minimum age for driving a car is 18, but most rental agencies only hire out to people aged over 25. However, Thrifty Car Rental will hire out to those over 21. Other car rental agencies include Alamo (www.alamo.com), Avis (www.avis.com) and Budget (www.budget.com). Traffic congestion can be a problem, particularly at peak times.

You can hire motorcycles or mopeds, but these are not common and can actually be more expensive than hiring a car.

Cycling is an option but there are a number of things to think about before you make the cycling decision: the hilly terrain, the weather (cycling on Kaua'i in the rain may sound romantic, but...), and a lack of bicycle lanes on the roads. However, if you must cycle, you can bring your own or hire one at Hanalei or Po'ipu.

Public transport on Kaua'i is pretty much limited to buses, but with limited routes and times (not to mention exact-fare only drivers) you should use them only if you have to. The country bus service is Kaua'i Bus (www.kauai.gov).