Oceania > 🇲🇭 The Marshall Islands
The city by city Car or no Car advice for The Marshall Islands can be broken down into three similar questions - do you need a car in The Marshall Islands; is it worth it (based on costs), and ultimately - should you rent one? (a balance of the two).🚆 🚌⛴️ Do we need to rent a car in The Marshall Islands?
These scores are based on the quality of public transport and other travel options. If these are good enough to see the main points of interest, then you don’t need to rent a car.
💰💶💳 Is it worth hiring a car in The Marshall Islands?
These scores reflect the practical factors that affect whether renting a car is convenient, good value, and stress-free.
🏙️ Main Cities in The Marshall Islands
| CITY | IATA | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Enewetak | ENT | |
| Majuro | MAJ |
Marshall Islands — Car or No Car?
The Marshall Islands are among the world’s most remote nations 🌴🌊. Scattered across the central Pacific, they consist of tiny atolls, coral reefs, and turquoise lagoons. Consequently, getting around here feels very different from almost anywhere else on Earth. So, should you rent a car in the Marshall Islands? The short answer is probably not, although there are a few situations where it can make sense.
🚍 Public Transport & Getting Around
To begin with, Majuro, the main atoll and home to the capital, is the only place where you’ll even see cars. Here, transport is straightforward and surprisingly efficient.
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Public minibuses (“bens”) run frequently along the single main road, stopping anywhere on request.
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Taxis are plentiful, cheap, and easy to hail, making short hops very convenient.
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Bicycles provide a relaxed, scenic way to get around, while walking works well for exploring central areas.
Because Majuro’s inhabited section stretches for only about 50 kilometres end to end, you can easily cover most of it without needing your own vehicle. However, if you want to stop frequently for photos or detour into quieter villages, a rental car can still be handy.
🚗 Car Rental — Worth It?
Although you can rent a car on Majuro, it’s rarely necessary. The roads are narrow, often single-lane, and traffic occasionally builds up around the market area. Moreover, parking spaces are limited, especially near shops and the central lagoon.
That said, if you prefer complete independence, renting a car for a single day is an enjoyable way to drive the entire length of the atoll, stopping wherever you like. You’ll have time to see lagoon viewpoints, small churches, and coastal villages, all at your own pace.
In contrast, renting a car for your entire stay doesn’t make much sense, since almost all inter-island travel relies on boats or short domestic flights.
✈️ Travelling Beyond Majuro
Once you leave Majuro, roads effectively disappear. Each atoll is separate, so all long-distance movement happens over water or by air.
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Air Marshall Islands connects Majuro with other inhabited atolls such as Kwajalein and Arno.
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Local boats operate between nearby islands, offering a slower but more authentic way to travel.
However, keep in mind that Kwajalein has restricted access due to its US military base. For most visitors, Arno Atoll is a better choice for an authentic island excursion — and once there, you’ll walk or cycle, as cars are extremely rare.
🌅 The Real Appeal
Ultimately, the Marshall Islands are not about driving; they’re about slowing down and soaking up the scenery. Whether you’re watching a sunset over the lagoon, snorkelling with reef fish, or chatting with locals in a village, every experience invites you to connect with nature.
Moreover, because life here moves at a calm, deliberate pace, it’s easy to see why most visitors prefer to travel by foot, bike, or boat rather than by car.
✅ Verdict
So — should you rent a car in the Marshall Islands?
🚫 No, not really. Buses, taxis, and bicycles meet almost every need.
✅ Maybe, for a day, if you want to explore Majuro end to end at your own speed.
In short, the Marshall Islands reward those who travel slowly. The real adventure lies not in the driving but in the drifting — between islands, along lagoons, and through a lifestyle where the ocean sets the rhythm. 🌺🌊✨
