Having a car in Hawaii makes getting around a lot easier and more convenient. The cost of inter-island shipping to Hawaii can be high, so how can you keep your budget in check?
With that said, check out below what you need to know about inter-island car shipping in Hawaiiand help you stick to your established budget.
What is Inter-Island Shipping?
When shipping your vehicle to the island from the mainland, Hawaii auto transport services can ship it to the nearest port. You can then drive it to your new home. However, this can be inconvenient and requires additional work on your part.
People may choose to use inter-island shipping services to transport their cars directly to their new address. Their time and energy are saved by not having to travel to the nearest port to pick up the vehicle.
Transport services will need a truck to deliver your car to your home, so it can be more expensive than port shipping.
Affordable Inter-Island Car Shipping Hawaii
Shipping inter-island can be expensive, but there are ways to make it affordable. Below are some factors you need to consider to make it affordable.
- Large vs Small Carriers
A Hawaii auto transport service typically offers two options for transportation - a large cargo ship with many other vehicles or a smaller boat with just a few cars.
A smaller boat that carries a few cars means fewer chances of problems during transit, but it's also more expensive than using a large cargo ship.
A larger carrier is often a more affordable choice between the two. When you choose a reliable shipping company to handle your car, you won't have to worry about it while it's in transit.
- Closed vs Open Carriers
Another thing to think about is whether you want a closed or open carrier. Open carriers, as one might expect, are less expensive than closed carriers. This is due to the fact that open carriers have more space to accommodate more cars and are lighter, resulting in lower fuel costs.
However, if you're transporting a more expensive car model, it might not be the best option because your vehicle will be exposed to the elements and may become dirty during transit.
- Time or Season
Another factor to consider is when to ship your car to Hawaii. Many car shipping services in Hawaii are busy during the summer and slow down during the colder months.
Because of this, shipping your car to Hawaii in the summer might turn out to be more expensive than doing so during winter, even though December is generally Hawaii’s busiest month.
Therefore, if you want to book with lower rates, consider doing so during winter. Some companies may even offer promos or discounts, so it’s recommended to check those as well.
- Vehicle Type and Size
Before scheduling a shipping date, check with your preferred shipping company to see if your vehicle qualifies for the lowest, most standard rates. The larger your vehicle, the higher the cost of shipping. This holds true regardless of the vehicle you drive.
If you have an older car model, consider whether shipping it is worthwhile or whether it is more cost-effective to replace it once you arrive in Hawaii. To put things in perspective, shipping a car to Hawaii typically costs around $1000 to $1500. This price can increase if you have a larger vehicle, too.
The only exception would be pick-up trucks as they tend to be in high demand in Hawaii and can cost significantly more there than on the mainland.
Final Thoughts
Moving to Hawaii by car can be very convenient, especially if you need to visit many places for business. Inter-island shipping can be expensive, so finding ways to make it more affordable can be a great way to reduce costs.
You can reduce your car shipping costs to Hawaii by choosing large open-air carriers and booking in the winter months.
