Shuttle to airport car rental?

Question

Can anyone tell me why many of the car rental sites indicate “shuttle” for pick up at Kailua-Kona airport? I have not reserved a car yet for our upcoming trip in October, but would prefer to go to a rental counter right inside the airport terminal building. Are there any car rental desks at the terminal? Or do I have to take a shuttle to an off-site location to pick up the car? Thank you for any clarification.

Answer

The reason many car rental sites at Kailua-Kona Airport (KOA) indicate "shuttle" for pick-up is because some of the rental car companies operate off-site locations. While there are car rental counters inside the terminal, not all rental agencies have their vehicles available directly at the airport. For those that are off-site, they provide shuttle service to transport customers to their rental locations.

On-Site Car Rental Desks at Kailua-Kona Airport:

There are several major car rental companies that do have desks directly inside the terminal building at Kailua-Kona Airport. These companies typically provide a more convenient pick-up experience, as you won’t have to take a shuttle. Some of the car rental agencies with counters inside the terminal include:

Enterprise
Hertz
National
Alamo
Avis

Off-Site Rental Agencies and Shuttle Service:

Some rental car agencies have locations off-site, meaning you will need to take a shuttle from the airport to their location. These companies typically offer lower rates, but the trade-off is the added time of waiting for and riding the shuttle. Off-site companies may include:

Budget (may provide shuttle service to a nearby location)
Thrifty
Dollar

Should You Take the Shuttle or Book On-Site?

If you prefer convenience and want to avoid the shuttle ride, I would recommend booking with one of the agencies that have a counter inside the terminal, such as Enterprise, Hertz, or Alamo. This way, you can pick up your car right after you land, without needing to wait for a shuttle.

If you're looking for a better deal and are willing to take the extra time for the shuttle ride, off-site agencies may provide competitive pricing, but keep in mind the time it will take to wait for the shuttle and travel to the off-site location. Depending on traffic and the frequency of shuttles, this could add 15-30 minutes or more to your overall car rental process.

In summary, Kailua-Kona Airport offers both on-site and off-site car rental options, and it's a matter of convenience versus cost. If you book with an on-site agency, you’ll be able to pick up your car directly at the terminal. If you choose an off-site agency, you will need to take a shuttle to the rental location.