Maui Kahului Cruise Port: Bus, Taxi and Haleakala Costs (2026)

Where these numbers come from

Kahului is the working harbor of Maui, not a resort strip. Ships tie up directly at the pier, and the immediate area is industrial. A port guide places the Queen Ka'ahumanu Center, the island's main mall and bus hub, about 1.1 miles away, which is a 20 to 25 minute walk along Kahului Beach Road. Maui Mall is closer, at roughly 0.9 miles. Plan on shopping stops, not a beach, within walking distance.

The Maui Bus is listed in that guide at $2.00 per boarding or $4.00 for a day pass. The county fare page could not be opened during this check, so treat those numbers as reported by a guide rather than official. Taxis start at $5.00 for the first eighth of a mile and then charge per mile. The same guide gives $75 to $85 each way to Kihei or Wailea, which is why beach-resort days are expensive without a shared tour.

Haleakala is the big outing, and the park figures are official. Entry is $30 per private vehicle, valid for 3 days, or $15 per person on foot or bicycle. Children under 16 are free. A separate $1.00 reservation is required for vehicles entering between 3 am and 7 am for sunrise, and the park takes cards only. A guided sunrise tour starts at $215.99, before taxes, and leaves between 2:00 and 3:30 am, so it rarely fits a ship day.

Worked example, two adults. A daytime Road to Hana tour at $215.99 each comes to $431.98 before taxes and fees. A cheaper day uses the bus: 2 x $4.00 day passes = $8 and a walk to the mall, then a $182 surfing lesson each if you want one activity, or $364 for two. A self-drive Haleakala visit for two costs $30 at the gate plus the rental car, so the gate itself is the smallest part.

Two warnings. Lahaina Harbor remains closed after the August 2023 wildfires, with a stated goal of reopening by the end of 2026, so Kahului is the active stop. Also, long tours such as Hana and Haleakala need a pickup at the dock, so confirm the return time against your all-aboard time before you book. Operators often offer dock pickup, which removes the taxi cost.

Compare with the quieter Hilo and Nawiliwili guides, or see Honolulu for a city-style stop. Then enter your own picks in the cruise excursion budget calculator.

Sources

• NPS Haleakala: fees and sunrise reservations
• Cruise Alert: Kahului port guide (dock, bus, taxi, excursion range)
• Valley Isle Excursions: tour prices
• The Hawaii Vacation Guide: Maui shore excursions (Lahaina harbor status)
• Shore Excursions Group: Maui list

Figures checked on September 30, 2026.

This page is general information, not legal, insurance or travel-agent advice. Fees, rules and limits change, so confirm the figures with the official sources listed above before you book or travel.