MAUILeaving Kahului: transport guide
Taxi scams are reported by visitors, and public transport information is difficult to find and infrequent.
OGG (Kahului) is the main international airport serving Maui, United States. The recommended way out is Uber/Lyft (~$70-100 to Kaanapali, 30-50 min to Kaanapali). Pickup is at Designated ride-hailing pick-up zone, check app for exact location.. The most common scam to watch for is "Taxi Meter Scam". Fares on the OGG → Kaanapali route typically run $70-100; anything above Over $120 is almost certainly a scam. Last updated June 2026.
Uber/Lyft
- Typical fare
- $70-100 to Kaanapali
- Journey time
- 30-50 min to Kaanapali
- Pickup
- Designated ride-hailing pick-up zone, check app for exact location.
Compare your options at a glance
| Option | Cost | Wait | Payment | Pick |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Uber/Lyft | $70-100 (to Kaanapali) | 5-15 min | 📱App | |
Taxi | $87 (to Kaanapali) | 5-10 min | 💳Card / Cash | — |
Maui Bus | Free (for students) | Infrequent service | 💵Cash | — |
Your first 30 minutes
- 1Connect to airport Wi-Fi
- 2Download Uber/Lyft app
- 3Request your ride
- 4Head to pickup zone
- 5Confirm car details
Airport exit score
- Scam risk40
- Public transport30
- Ride-hailing80
- Signage clarity70
- Payment convenience80
Fare reality check
- $70-100ExpectedWhat locals actually pay
- $110ConcerningQuestion this — ask for the meter
- Over $120Probably being scammedWalk away. Find another ride.
Best ways out, ranked
- 1
Uber/Lyft
RECOMMENDED- Cost
- $70-100 (to Kaanapali)
- Journey
- 30-50 min (to Kaanapali)
- Wait
- 5-15 min
- Payment
- 📱 App
Pros- Upfront pricing
- Trackable ride
- Generally reliable
Cons- Fares can surge
- No scheduling ahead for airport pickups (Uber)
- Availability can be an issue at extreme hours
- 2
Taxi
- Cost
- $87 (to Kaanapali)
- Journey
- 30-50 min (to Kaanapali)
- Wait
- 5-10 min
- Payment
- 💳 Card / Cash
Pros- Readily available outside baggage claim
Cons- Risk of meter fraud/overcharging
- Higher fares than ride-hailing in some cases
- May demand cash only
- 3
Maui Bus
- Cost
- Free (for students)
- Journey
- 60+ min (to Kahului/Wailuku)
- Wait
- Infrequent service
- Payment
- 💵 Cash
Pros- Extremely cheap/free for students
Cons- Limited routes and schedules
- Not practical for popular tourist destinations like Kaanapali
- Information is difficult to find online
Paying without surprises
- Always confirm fare and payment method before starting a taxi ride.
- Prefer card payments to create a transaction record.
- Be wary of taxi drivers refusing to use the meter.
Common scams
Taxi Meter Scam
Medium riskTaxi drivers refusing to start the meter and demanding a higher cash fare at the destination.
HOW TO AVOID · Confirm meter use or fixed fare beforehand; use ride-hailing apps for upfront pricing.
Overcharging Taxi
Medium riskTaxi demanding an inflated fare, especially for tourists, claiming it's the standard rate.
HOW TO AVOID · Check estimated fares on airport websites or ride-hailing apps before getting in a taxi.
What locals & travellers say
“Ubering from the airport is a fine plan, except if you're coming/going at an extreme hour.”
- "Ubering from the airport is a fine plan, except if you're coming/going at an extreme hour." — r/MauiVisitors
- "Both Uber and Lyft are available at the airport. However there is no scheduling ahead for airport pickups." — facebook.com/groups/554955574838601
- "Maui Bus fixed-route fares are free for students of any age." — instagram.com/p/DZ82Rt8FDmn/
Arrival checklist
- Book Uber/Lyft
- Confirm car details
- Avoid unmetered taxis
- Have app ready
Take it with you
OGG arrival FAQs
- What is the safest way to leave Kahului?
- Uber/Lyft. Fares can be higher during peak hours or if there's high demand..
- Are taxis at OGG safe?
- Official taxis from the marked rank are generally fine, but watch for: taxi meter scam — Taxi drivers refusing to start the meter and demanding a higher cash fare at the destination. Confirm meter use or fixed fare beforehand; use ride-hailing apps for upfront pricing.
- Is ride-hailing (Uber, Bolt, Grab or similar) available at OGG?
- Yes — Uber/Lyft works at OGG. Typical cost $70-100 (to Kaanapali), journey ~30-50 min (to Kaanapali). Use the in-app pickup point rather than the arrivals curb.
- How much should a taxi from OGG to the city centre cost?
- Expected fare on the OGG → Kaanapali route is roughly $70-100. Anything around $110 is high — Over $120 is a scam. Fares vary with traffic, time of day and taxi type, so confirm before you get in.
- Do I need cash for a taxi at OGG?
- Carry small local notes — Taxi expects card & cash. A backup card with no FX fees helps if a driver claims the terminal is broken.
- Where is the official taxi pickup at Kahului?
- Designated ride-hailing pick-up zone, check app for exact location.. If you can't see a marked rank with a dispatcher or queue, walk back inside and ask at the information desk — never take an offer from someone roaming arrivals.
- Is OGG safe to arrive at late at night?
- Late-night arrivals carry extra scam pressure here — specifically overcharging taxi. Pre-book a transfer where possible, stay inside the terminal until your ride is confirmed, and use the official rank only.
- What scams should I watch for at OGG?
- The most reported at OGG: Taxi Meter Scam; Overcharging Taxi. See the scams section above for how each one works and how to avoid it.