Passing through Honolulu International Airport’s (HNL) terminal to reach your rental car destination is a quick process. Even though 50,000 passengers travel through the 3.75 million sq. ft. terminal each day, ample signage and open-air architecture make it easy to get from airplane to baggage claim. First-time visitors to Oahu and Honolulu are often stopped in place by the tropical fragrances and breezes that greet them on arrival at this airport.
Baggage Claim is where you’ll want to go to pick up your rental car. Depending on the rental car company, counters will be found outside the carousel area or via a short shuttle ride away. (individual instructions for locations are included in all rental car reservations)
Avis, Budget, Dollar and Enterprise are located on-airport. Paperwork takes place at counters that are located on the ground level opposite Baggage Claim. Following check-in, their shuttles will take you the short distance to your rental vehicle.
Alamo and Thrifty provide off-airport car rentals. Their shuttles stop in designated areas along the center median, on the ground level outside of the baggage claim area, taking you the short distance to their offices and rental vehicles.
As you drive away from your rental lot, make a note of its location. This is where you’ll return your vehicle. Confusion during departure is no fun when you have luggage toting, security and airline schedules ahead of you.
When you return your vehicle, check for any misplaced personal items that may be in glove boxes, center consoles, door pockets, and between or under the seats. Make sure you’ve unloaded all your luggage. We suggest you connect with one of the attendants, not only to sign their returns form, but to give him or her an opportunity to briefly check for vehicle damage while you are still there. This only takes a moment.
Airport departure at HNL is simple as long as you allow time to fill your vehicle’s fuel tank (if you’ve previously arranged to do this with your rental company), return your vehicle, be shuttled to the terminal, pass through the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture check station, go through TSA security lanes and arrive at your airline gate.
You’ll soon discover that the Hawaiian experience is all about Aloha. It’s good to keep this in mind at arrival and departure times. Why rush through beautiful HNL? With a little forethought, relaxation and a smile, you too, can live Aloha.
For those of you who’d like to “visit” HNL’s airport layout before arrival, we recommend you look at this map provided by Honolulu International Airport: http://hawaii.gov/hnl/terminal-information