Maui Airport to South Maui: Your Complete Transfer & Arrival Guide
The sliding doors open and warm, plumeria-scented air rushes over you. Somewhere beyond the parking structure, palm fronds rattle in the trade winds and the Maui sun catches the West Maui Mountains in a wash of amber and green. You’ve landed at Kahului Airport (OGG)—the only commercial airport on the island—and South Maui’s golden coastline is barely 25 minutes away.
Whether you’re headed to a beachfront condo in Kihei, a luxury villa in Wailea, or an oceanview rental overlooking Ma’alaea Harbor, the drive south is one of the easiest airport-to-accommodation transfers in all of Hawai’i. This guide covers every option—rental cars, rideshares, shuttles, and private transfers—plus the insider tips that turn your first hour on Maui from stressful logistics into the start of vacation mode.
Kahului Airport: your gateway to South Maui paradise
Understanding the Route: Kahului to South Maui
Kahului Airport sits on Maui’s north-central coast, tucked between the harbor town of Kahului and the windsurfer haven of Pa’ia. South Maui—encompassing Ma’alaea, Kihei, and Wailea—stretches along the island’s leeward shore, which is why it’s sunnier and drier than almost anywhere else on the island.
Distance and drive times by destination:
Ma’alaea Harbor: ~11 miles, 15–20 minutes via HI-380 and HI-30
North Kihei: ~13 miles, 20–25 minutes via HI-311 (Mokulele Highway)
South Kihei: ~16 miles, 25–30 minutes via HI-311 to South Kihei Road
Wailea: ~18 miles, 25–35 minutes via HI-311 to Wailea Alanui Drive
Two main highways connect the airport to South Maui. Mokulele Highway (HI-311) is the faster, more direct route—a straight shot through Maui’s central valley with sugarcane fields stretching to the mountains on both sides. Pi’ilani Highway (HI-31) hugs the coast through Ma’alaea and is the scenic option, with ocean views and the chance to spot humpback whales breaching during winter months.
Local’s Tip: Skip Mokulele during weekday rush hour (7–8:30 AM and 3:30–5:30 PM). The two-lane highway bottlenecks near the junction with Pi’ilani. If you land during these windows, take HI-380 west toward Ma’alaea and follow the coastal route south—it’s actually faster and infinitely prettier.
The drive through Maui’s central valley sets the tone for your South Maui vacation.
Rental Cars: The Most Popular Option
About 80% of Maui visitors rent a car, and for good reason—South Maui’s best beaches, restaurants, and trailheads are spread across a 12-mile stretch of coastline. Having your own wheels means you can chase sunrise at Haleakalā, grab lunch at a Kihei food truck, and make a sunset run to Makena without checking bus schedules.
Picking Up at Kahului Airport
All major rental agencies (Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz, National, Alamo) operate from the consolidated Maui Rental Car Facility, a short shuttle ride from the baggage claim. The shuttle runs every few minutes and takes about five minutes to reach the lot.
For a deep dive on pricing, insurance, and money-saving strategies, see our Maui car rental guide.
Pro tips for the rental counter:
Book early. Maui’s rental fleet is finite—prices can triple during peak season if you wait until the last week.
Skip the GPS add-on. Google Maps and Apple Maps work perfectly on-island, and cell coverage is strong along the entire South Maui corridor.
Request a vehicle with roof racks if you’re bringing paddleboards or surfboards. Otherwise, a compact SUV handles every road on the island.
Fill up before returning. The cheapest gas on-island is at Costco Kahului—it’s directly on your return route from South Maui.
Local’s Tip: Ask for a Jeep Wrangler or similar open-top vehicle if you’re traveling between April and October. The drive down Mokulele with the top off, warm valley air whipping past, Haleakalā towering ahead—that’s the moment vacation officially starts.
Rideshares, Taxis & Private Transfers
If you’d rather skip the rental car line entirely—or you’re planning a car-free stay in walkable Kihei—rideshares and private transfers get you to South Maui without the hassle of picking up and dropping off a vehicle.
Uber & Lyft
Both operate on Maui, though the driver pool is smaller than mainland cities. Expect to pay $30–50 for a ride from OGG to Kihei and $40–65 to Wailea, depending on time of day and demand. Wait times average 5–15 minutes at the airport, but can spike after large flight banks arrive in the afternoon.
Taxis
Maui’s taxi service is metered. A ride from Kahului Airport to Kihei typically runs $45–65, and to Wailea $55–75. Taxis are available curbside at the airport, so there’s no wait-time gamble. Companies like Maui Airport Taxi and Aloha Maui Taxi are reliable options.
Private Transfers & Airport Shuttles
For larger groups or a premium arrival experience, private transfer services like SpeediShuttle Maui and Roberts Hawaii offer pre-booked rides with meet-and-greet at baggage claim. Pricing starts around $65–90 for a private SUV to South Maui. Some vacation rental management companies—including select Luxe Maui Properties—can arrange concierge-level transfers with a cooler of cold drinks and local snacks waiting in the vehicle.
Local’s Tip: If you’re arriving on a red-eye or early morning flight, pre-book a private transfer the night before. Uber and Lyft drivers on Maui are sparse before 7 AM, and the last thing you want after an overnight flight is standing curbside refreshing the app.
Rideshare pickups are on the ground level at OGG—look for the purple Lyft or Uber signs
Your First Hour in South Maui: The Smart Arrival Plan
You’ve landed, grabbed your bags, and pointed the car south. Here’s how savvy travelers spend their first 60 minutes to hit the ground running.
Stock Up on the Way
One of the best advantages of staying in a vacation rental is having a full kitchen. Swing by one of the South Maui grocery stores on your way from the airport to load up on breakfast staples, snacks, sunscreen, and drinks. Costco Kahului is right off the airport road if you have a membership, or hit Times Supermarket in Kihei once you arrive.
First Stop: Your Vacation Rental
Most South Maui vacation rentals offer self-check-in, so you can arrive on your own schedule. Drop your bags, change into something breezy, and step out onto the lanai. If you’re staying in Kihei, the beach is likely within walking distance. In Wailea, you’re probably already looking at it.
Golden Hour Move
If you arrive in the afternoon, resist the urge to nap. Instead, grab your swimsuit and head straight to the nearest beach for a sunset swim. The warm Pacific water resets your body clock faster than any amount of sleep. Ka’maole Beach Parks (I, II, and III) in Kihei are perfect for a quick inaugural dip, while Wailea Beach offers that first-class entry to your vacation.
Local’s Tip: Jet lag hack: swim in the ocean within two hours of arriving. The combination of salt water, sunlight, and gentle wave motion recalibrates your circadian rhythm. Every local will tell you the ocean is the best medicine—and they’re right.
Your first South Maui sunset swim—the official start of vacation mode
Getting Around South Maui Once You’re Here
South Maui is refreshingly compact. The main artery—South Kihei Road—runs the length of Kihei from Ma’alaea to Wailea, with beaches, restaurants, and shops flanking both sides. For a neighborhood-by-neighborhood breakdown, check our Kihei local’s guide and Wailea guide.
Key distances within South Maui:
Ma’alaea Harbor to North Kihei: 5 minutes
North Kihei to South Kihei: 10 minutes
South Kihei to Wailea: 7 minutes
Wailea to Makena (Big Beach): 5 minutes
If you opted out of a rental car, Kihei is one of the most walkable and bikeable towns on Maui. The Kihei Greenway bike path connects north and south Kihei, and many vacation rentals sit within a 10-minute walk of the beach, restaurants, and shops. Rideshares work well for day trips to Haleakalā or the Road to Hana—or you can rent a car for just a day or two through Turo or a local agency.
Local’s Tip: Download the Maui Bus app if you’re going car-free. Route 10 (the Kihei Islander) runs from Queen Ka’ahumanu Center in Kahului down to Wailea, hitting all major Kihei stops along the way. It’s $2 per ride and surprisingly useful for beach-hopping days.
Where to Stay: South Maui’s Best Base for Your Maui Vacation
There’s a reason South Maui draws more than half of all Maui visitors: it’s the sunniest coast on the island, it’s closest to the airport, and it packs world-class beaches, dining, and snorkeling into a compact, easy-to-navigate stretch of coastline.
If you’re visiting Maui for the first time, our vacation planning guide breaks down everything from flight timing to packing essentials. But the single most important decision is where you’ll sleep—and a South Maui vacation rental gives you space, privacy, a full kitchen, and the feeling of actually living on Maui rather than just visiting it.
Whether you need a cozy one-bedroom steps from Kamaole Beach or a sprawling four-bedroom villa in Wailea for the whole family, Luxe Maui Properties curates the finest vacation rentals across South Maui—each one personally vetted, professionally managed, and stocked with everything you need from night one.
Browse South Maui vacation rentals →
South Maui from above: your home base for the ultimate Maui vacation.
Quick-Reference Recap: Airport to South Maui
Airport: Kahului (OGG)—the only commercial airport on Maui
Distance to South Maui: 11–18 miles depending on destination
Drive time: 15–35 minutes (Mokulele Hwy is fastest)
Rental car: Most popular option; book early, fill up at Costco
Rideshare: $30–65 depending on destination and demand
Taxi: $45–75 metered, available curbside
Private transfer: $65–90+ for premium SUV service
First stop: Grocery store on the way—stock that vacation rental kitchen
Pro move: Sunset swim within your first hour in South Maui
Ready to start planning? Your South Maui vacation begins the moment you step off the plane.