Frequently asked
Every answer.
None of the fluff.
Straight answers on booking, licenses, insurance, airport delivery, and driving a full-size van around the Big Island. If we didn't answer your question, call us at (808) 765-2290.
01
Booking & availability
The practical stuff: windows, minimums, payment, changes. No trick questions, no buried fees.
How far in advance should I book?
Two to three weeks out is the sweet spot for summer, holidays, and spring break. Off-peak dates often have same-week availability. If you're already on the island and need a van today, call us. We keep some last-minute capacity open.Is there a minimum rental period?
Yes: two days. Airport delivery makes short trips clean, but the 2-day floor keeps logistics fair on both ends.Can I book for same-day delivery?
Often, yes. Same-day ITO or KOA delivery is common when we have a van on the ground. Call (808) 765-2290. We'll tell you straight whether we can make it work.Do you accept credit cards? Debit? Cash?
Major credit cards are accepted at booking. Debit and cash policies vary by trip; ask at reservation. We'll be upfront about what's needed for your specific dates.How do I modify or cancel a reservation?
Email bigislandvanrentals@gmail.com or call (808) 765-2290. The sooner you tell us about a change, the easier it is to accommodate. We're reasonable; we know plans shift.
02
The vans
What's actually in your driveway on delivery day: seats, specs, creature comforts.
Do I get to pick between a 12 and 15-passenger van?
Not exactly. You tell us your group size at booking and we assign the van from what's on the lot. Right now the fleet is majority 15-passenger, with the occasional 12-passenger. Both are built on the same American full-size-van platform, same A/C, same transmission, same fuel. If you have a strong preference, say so — we'll do our best, but can't always promise a specific seat count.What's the difference between the 12 and 15-passenger van?
Three seats. Otherwise identical: same automatic transmission, same rear + front A/C, same regular-unleaded fuel, same American full-size-van chassis. The 15-passenger has a bit more cargo behind the last row; the 12-passenger has slightly more. Neither has removable seats — plan accordingly.Can we remove seats for more luggage space?
No. The seats in both the 12- and 15-passenger vans are fixed. Plan for carry-ons and soft-sided duffels — they pack flatter and stack behind the last row better than hard-shell suitcases. If your group is hauling heavy gear (surfboards, bike boxes, coolers of ice) tell us at booking and we'll talk through what'll actually fit.What year / make are the vans?
Chevrolet Express 2500/3500 and Ford E-350 chassis: the standard American full-size passenger-van platform. We maintain them in-house and rotate them hard; they're cared for, but they're workhorses, not luxury shuttles.Do the vans have rear A/C? Bluetooth? Cruise control?
Rear and front A/C on every van. The rear vents matter on summit runs and long Saddle Road drives. Bluetooth and cruise control vary by vehicle; ask at booking if a specific feature is must-have and we'll confirm what's in the one we'll deliver.What fuel do the vans take?
Regular unleaded. No premium, no diesel. Return with the same fuel level you received.How many bags fit with all seats used?
With every seat full in the 15-passenger, plan for carry-ons only behind the last row. Full-size checked bags plus 15 passengers is tight — seats don't come out, so the fix is soft-sided duffels (they pack flat and stack), or a mix of carry-ons on laps. The 12-passenger has slightly more cargo at full capacity, but the same rule applies: pack soft.
03
Driving licenses & requirements
The legal side. Short version: a regular license drives a 15-pax van in the US.
Do I need a special license for a 15-passenger van?
No. A standard US driver's license covers both our 12 and 15-passenger vans. No CDL, no commercial endorsement, no extra class. The same license that drives your minivan drives our van.Are international licenses accepted?
Yes. A valid home-country license plus an International Driving Permit (IDP) is typically accepted. Bring both. Tell us the issuing country at booking and we'll confirm before you fly.What's the minimum driver age?
25 is the standard floor. Under-25 drivers may be possible with approval; ask us at booking, don't assume.Can I add additional drivers?
Yes. Everyone who will drive needs a valid license on file. Adding drivers is straightforward; we can rotate a group of four or five across a long road trip without drama.
04
Insurance
Coverage is the boring part that matters. Here's how it actually works.
Is insurance included?
Your own auto policy and / or your credit card's rental coverage are the primary layers most renters use. We offer supplemental coverage options at booking; the right pick depends on your existing coverage, so ask and we'll walk through it.Should I get SLI / supplemental liability coverage?
If your personal auto liability limits are low, or you're renting for a large group where any collision would affect many people, supplemental liability is worth considering. For most travelers with standard coverage and a decent credit-card rental benefit, it's optional. We don't push it.Does my credit card cover rental insurance?
Many cards include secondary (and some offer primary) collision damage waiver coverage for rentals. Check your card's benefits guide before you travel. Credit cards typically do not cover liability; that's where your auto policy or supplemental coverage comes in.
05
Delivery & pickup
Meeting you at ITO and KOA: how it actually goes.
Where do you deliver?
Hilo International Airport (ITO) and Kona International Airport (KOA). We meet you at the airport — sometimes right at the curb, more often in the airport parking lot a minute's walk from baggage claim. We text the exact meeting spot before you land. We are delivery-only and do not operate a walk-in rental counter.How does the ITO / KOA meetup work?
You send us your flight number. We track your arrival. Before you land we text you the meeting spot (curb or the short-term parking lot a minute away). You walk out of baggage claim, find the van, quick walk-around and paperwork, and you drive off. Typical handoff: 10–15 minutes.What if my flight is delayed?
We track your flight live. Delays, diversions, gate holds: we adjust. Text (808) 765-2290 if you see something the airline's board doesn't show yet.Can I return the van to the other airport?
Yes, one-way ITO ↔ KOA drop is available on request. Flag it at booking so we can coordinate the logistics.Is the delivery fee extra?
Airport delivery is included for eligible trips. Rate, dates, and group size factor in; we'll confirm at booking. No surprise delivery charges on the day.
06
Driving tips
The real advice on Big Island roads: what a passenger van can and can't do.
Can I drive the van to the Mauna Kea summit?
No. Only paved access is allowed; that ends at the Mauna Kea Visitor Information Station at roughly 9,000 ft. The road above VIS to the summit is unpaved and 4WD-only, and rental passenger vans are prohibited from it. The VIS itself is an incredible sunset / stargazing stop and is perfectly legal in our vans.Can I drive Saddle Road?
Yes. Saddle Road (Hwy 200 / Daniel K. Inouye Hwy) is a modern, fully paved route across the island. It's the fastest way between Hilo and Kona and our vans cross it regularly. Watch for vog, fog near the saddle, and sudden weather changes; drive with headlights on and give yourself margin.Can I drive to Green Sand Beach?
Not all the way. The cinder-and-rock road from South Point parking to Papakōlea (Green Sand Beach) is rough, unmaintained, and off-limits for rental vans. Park at the South Point lot, then either hike the ~2.5 miles each way or take a local shuttle. Our vans get you to the trailhead, not to the sand.How are road conditions on the island?
Main highways (Hwy 11, Hwy 19, Hwy 190, Saddle Rd) are in good shape. Weather varies by side: Hilo is wet, Kona is dry, the saddle can fog up fast. Expect narrow rural sections, open-range cattle near Waimea, and slower speeds around Volcanoes NP. Drive relaxed; the island isn't in a rush.
07
Payments & fees
What's in the rate, what's not, and why there's no asterisk at the bottom.
What's included in the rate?
The van, the airport meetup (for eligible trips), basic mileage, and our phone number if anything goes sideways. Locally owned, locally serviced; you're renting from the people who answer the phone.Are there hidden fees?
No. The rate we quote is the rate you pay, plus applicable state tax. We don't tack on a facility fee, a 'green fee,' a mystery surcharge, or an upsell you didn't agree to.Is gas included?
No. Gas is on you. Return the van at the same fuel level you received it. If you come back short, we'll refill it and pass through the cost plus a small service fee; easier to just top it off on the way back to the airport.Is there a cleaning fee?
Normal wear is fine. If the van comes back requiring a deep interior clean (excessive sand, spills, pet hair, etc.), a cleaning fee applies. Sand a little off your flip-flops at the beach and you're golden.
Still stuck?
Easier to just call.
We answer the phone.
FAQs cover the common stuff. Your trip probably has one thing that's not common. Call (808) 765-2290 or email bigislandvanrentals@gmail.com. Locally owned. You won't get routed to a continental call center.
Read enough?
Book the van.
From $140/day. Airport delivery to ITO + KOA. No hidden fees, ever.