Maui bus! + buy the day pass! 🌴 Getting around Maui by bus 🌴🚌 Maui without a car on a budget 🌴 Hawaii travel blog

ALOHA!

 

There is public transportation on Maui!

So if you’re headed to Maui on a budget and you’re looking to save some money during your time on Maui, then you can take the Maui bus!

Depending on how many times you will be taking the bus, there is a day pass for the Maui bus that you may want to buy instead of paying the individual bus fare each time.

 

So…

Maui does have a bus system that goes around much the island, although not all.

This means that if you don’t want to rent a car, it IS possible to get to some places on the island of Maui without a car.

 

 

 

Of course, taking the bus as your mode of transportation around Maui means that it will take longer to get to places compared to a rental car.

Sometimes it’s just about managing expectations!

Just know that that taking the bus, especially over longer distances, requires TIME and PATIENCE.

With the frequency of bus timings less on some parts of the island, it could require some extra waiting time.

But as long as you’re mentally prepared for this, then the bus is no problem!

Consider that you are experiencing slow island life. 😉

Or, you can opt to take a bus to the places that are relatively close to where you’re staying.

And while the bus can go to some places, it does NOT go to some of the BEST places to visit on Maui. So consider having a car for 2-3 days. Here is where to go if you want to maximize your time with a car.

Or, if you don’t want to rent a car (and even if you do), then be sure to see the best Maui tours for some of the best Maui experiences too. Many Maui tours you can do without a car. (Some tours a car may be helpful to get to the starting point, although getting there by bus may also be an option.)

Or…

If you’ll be traveling alone on Maui, or you just like the community feel when traveling, then staying at one of the Maui hostels with free group tours can be a way to get to a few of those top spots!

 

If you’ve already decided that you won’t be renting a car for at least part of the time that you’re on Maui, then here are some places you may consider taking a bus when you want a day out and about on Maui:

• Lahaina
• Kaanapali
• Kapalua
• Wailea

Yes, going by bus around Maui will take a long time. (Long in this case = 1 to 2 hours one way.)

But when you’re going around the island, even the bus ride to get there can be scenic!

 

 

More below about what it’s like to take public transportation in Maui!

 

 

🌴

 

 

 

So then…

Is it easy to take the bus on Maui?!

After you take the bus once or twice, you will feel like a pro! 😉

It’s pretty easy to manage the bus system on Maui, and Google Maps makes that even easier.

Even Maui County recommends using google maps to plan your bus trip!

Simply plug in your starting point and end point, click on the public transit icon, and your public transportation options are shown!

It’s a pretty reliable way of getting around Maui by bus.

I have gotten by bus to/from the Maui airport, Paia, Wailea, Lahaina, Kaanapali, and Kapalua. I also wish I would have made it to Kula, as the bus goes there too!

 

 

How much does the bus cost on Maui to go around the island?

A single bus ride costs $2 per person.

You can also buy a day pass for $4 per person.

If you’ll be making a bus transfer, that is 2 bus rides. The bus fare from the first ride won’t carry over.

Confirm the prices.

 

 

How do you buy the bus ticket?

You’ll pay the bus fare immediately upon getting on the bus.

There is a fare box next to the bus driver, and that’s where you’ll insert the cash.

 

 

It is cash only, and no change will be given to you. So make sure you have exact change. So add dollars bills to your list of what to pack for Maui!

If you want a one-day pass, you’ll want to tell the bus driver as you’re putting the appropriate amount into the fare box.

Then, the bus driver will give you a pass.

 

 

On the next bus you take that same day, you will simply show this to this bus pass to the bus driver.

You don’t need to do anything special in regards to a bus ticket as you’re getting off the bus.

 

 

The bus schedule + Where are the bus stops located?

The easiest way to know where to walk to for the bus stop is to consult Google Maps.

Again, Google Maps is a reliable way for getting around Maui by bus.

Once you’re ready to get on the bus, open up the Google Maps app on your phone.

Then, type in the destination you want to get to.

And then for the starting location, with your GPS location on, have the directions start from your “current location.”

Be sure to select the public transportation icon to get the directions.

And then it will give you bus directions, including how to get to the nearest bus stop!

 

 

If you’re doing research for your trip, you can go to google maps and use the public transportation option. It might be better to match the time and day of the week you’ll be actually taking the bus when you are on Maui. Weekday bus schedules can differ from weekend bus schedules.

If you zoom in on google maps, you can see little bus icons that indicate where the bus stops are located.

You can also click to find out the schedule of future bus timings.

 

 

If you want to see a visual of the different Maui bus routes on a map, you can play around with this Maui bus route map. You’ll select the route you want. You may also want to look at these Maui bus route maps.

When you get on the bus, you can also grab a paper copy of the official bus schedule. This is usually located at the front of the bus.

 

 

 

Delays seem to be a thing with the Maui bus

If you’re trying to make a bus transfer, it seemed like the bus drivers would coordinate with each other to make sure common transfers could be made. So if you’re looking at your google maps app and wondering if the bus is going to make it in time for your next bus, you may want to speak to the bus driver about it to see if they can help you out! Most Maui bus drivers are friendly!

 

 

What do the bus stops look like?

Bus stops on Maui are easily recognizable.

You’ll just look for the Maui bus sign.

 

 

There’s also a phone number listed on the sign if you have any doubts about whether the bus is running on the regular schedule. (Maybe because there’s an event going on or some other special circumstance that results in road closures that alters a bus route or something.)

Hawaii area code 808!

 

Some bus stops will have a sheltered area…

 

 

Some bus stops will just have a bench…

 

 

And some bus stops may just be along the side of the road with no place to sit at all!

 

 

No matter what though, you’ll know it’s a bus stop because of that distinguished Maui bus sign.

 

 

Make sure you’re standing on the correct side of the road!

It could be good to confirm that you’re on the correct bus once you get on the bus with the bus driver.

 

 

So…

How do you actually take the bus?!

…aka how to get around Maui without a car!

 

So you go to your bus stop. You’ll know the location of the bus stop with the help of google maps.

The name of the bus route is big and bold on the front of the bus so it’s hard to miss. You just need to make sure you know which Maui bus route you want to take.

 

 

So as you are waiting at the bus stop, your bus comes.

You get on the bus at the front. It could be good to confirm with the bus driver that the bus will go to your intended destination.

You pay for your bus fare in cash with exact change by placing money in the fare box that’s located next to the bus driver immediately upon getting on the bus. (And maybe get your one-day pass.)

 

 

If you have a one-day pass, you will just show this to the bus driver with the date visible.

Then, you find a seat to sit down.

 

 

Or maybe you stand if it’s crowded. 😉

 

Then…

ENJOY THE RIDE!!

 

👆 Taking the bus from Lahaina.

 

And then next…

So once you are on the bus, you can check Google Maps to keep track of how close you are to your destination.

If you expand out Google Maps, it will also tell you the name of the bus stops that are before yours.

 

 

Then, once yours is the next stop…

There’s a wire thing along the window.

Pull that!

This will indicate to the bus driver that someone wants to get off.

 

👆 Pull to signal bus driver to stop.

 

 

Surely there will be people who will be getting off the bus before you, so you can just watch what they do.

Then once the bus stop comes, you can get off the bus!

 

 

And then walk the rest of the way to your destination, and…

ENJOY MAUI!!

 

👆 Trip to Wailea by bus.

 

 

Bikes on the Maui bus

The bus accepts bikes too.

Bikes ride the bus for free.

Each bus is equipped with 2-3 bike racks on the front.

During busy time, you do have the risk of the bike racks being full.

 

 

If you will be taking your bike for the first time, see the visual here (pdf) for how to secure your bike on the rack. That is for the Oahu bus, but it will be similar for bikes on the Maui bus too.

 

And that’s a little about taking the bus around the island on Maui!

 

Explore more things to do on Maui without a car:

• Lahaina
• Kaanapali
• Kapalua
• Wailea
• Taking the bus from Maui airport
• Maui hostels with free group tours

 

Explore more of Hawaii without a car:

• Maui to Lanai ferry
• Things to do on Lanai without a car
• Things to do on Oahu without a car
• Bike sharing on Oahu
• Bike sharing in Kona

 

HAPPY MAUI BUS RIDE!