If you plan to visit Hainan Island, the most recommended way to visit is self-driving, but you must rent a car and drive yourself. Related guidance on renting a car is also below. As for the tour routes in go on road trip, the editor will recommend them to you, and you can choose other routes according to your own itinerary.
1. Self-driving and car rental options
Self-driving
Self-driving is more expensive, with entry and exit fees of more than 1,000 yuan. If you are driving by yourself, you need to take a ferry from Xuwen County (Hai'an Port) to Haikou (Xiuying Port). A car with 5-7 seats will cost about 450 yuan (only including the driver's ticket). The person accompanying you must get off the bus and buy your own ticket. Also, watch out for him. In case of rainy weather or heavy fog in the Qiongzhou Strait, cars and accompanying persons are not allowed to enter the island by ferry. It is recommended to fill up the car with gas before entering the island, as it is expensive.
Rent a car
Renting a car on the island is very convenient and affordable. The rental price for a five-seater car is 85-120 yuan per day, but these cars are not allowed to leave Hainan Island. There are also car rental companies in Hainan, such as the familiar car companies, Yihai Car Rental, and third-party rental companies such as online car rental. It is recommended to avoid offline rental companies.
2. Recommended self-driving routes
Hainan’s expressways extend in all directions and are free, so there are many routes to choose from from Haikou. The editor recommends the following route.
The first day (95 kilometers): Coconut Grove in the eastern suburbs of Haikou—Wenchang—Coconut Grand View Garden—Wenchang
Attractions: Coconut Grove Scenic Spot in the Eastern Suburbs, Wenchang Satellite Launch Base, and Moon Bay.
The next day (128 kilometers): Wenchang-Qionghai-Boao-Wanning
Attractions: Daiyu Beach, Boao Forum for Asia permanent site, Boao Temple, Boao Town.
The third day (267 kilometers): Wanning-Lingshui Boundary Island-Wuzhizhou-Sanya
Attractions: Nanwan Monkey Island, Boundary Island, Qingshui Bay, etc.
Day 4 (360 kilometers): Sanya - Shuiman Township - Chubao Village - Wuzhishan City - Sanya
Specialties: Shanlan rice, freshwater anchovy, Wuzhishan longevity fish, etc.
Day 5 (154 kilometers): Sanya-Ledong-Yinggehai
Attractions: Maogong Mountain, Xishan Ridge, Yingge Haiyanchang, Jianfengling.
Day six (200 kilometers): Yinggehai-Changjiang-Wangxia Village-Danzhou
Attractions: Wangxia Village, Qiziwan Tourist Resort, Bawangling, Shi Lu Iron Mine and Changhua Town.
Day 7 (160 kilometers): Danzhou-Meitai-Lingao-Haikou
Recommended attractions: Haitou Golden Beach, Millennium Ancient Salt Field, Guangcun Silver Beach, Egret Paradise, Dongpo Academy, etc.
: 3. How to reserve a vehicle online
1. Now select the date/pickup store (or door-to-door delivery) online;
2. Online Select a car and place an order;
3. Submit three certificates (ID card/driver’s license/credit card) at the store, inspect the car, and confirm the condition with the staff;
4. Make a reservation Authorize, get keys and driving license.
4. Car selection, road conditions, and fuel price information
About road conditions
Currently, there are three expressways in Hainan: East Huandao Expressway and Huandao East Expressway. Western Expressway and Central Expressway. At present, all high-speed lines are connected. There are no toll stations on the highways, so there is no need to pay tolls.
About oil prices
Generally speaking, 93# gasoline for cars costs 7.8 yuan/L, which is more expensive than in the mainland. To put it simply, Hainan’s oil prices are probably the highest in the country.
How to choose a car
When renting a car, you should choose a vehicle with an appropriate displacement according to the road you are driving on. If the itinerary includes routes in central Hainan (such as Wuzhishan City), it is recommended to choose urban SUVs such as Kia Sportage/Smart Sport with higher delivery rates. The central area requires more fuel consumption because it is in the mountains. If you want to take the east-west route, ordinary cars are fine, because some sections are open to expressway traffic and the road conditions are not bad. Regular cars can handle it.
: 5. Precautions for self-driving
1. When going on a self-driving tour, it is best to submit detailed information about Hainan on your mobile phone in advance, such as the latest information on transportation, restaurants, accommodation, attractions, etc. Once you understand this information, you can estimate your budget and most importantly, have a better gaming experience.
2. There are 107 gas stations along the east and west expressways, almost one market per kilometer, but there are fewer cars on the west expressway. There are large repair stations near gas stations along Qionghai and Wanning highways. Generally, there is a repair station not far below the highway intersection, mainly for tire repair.
3. The roads from Sanya to Wuzhishan and Jianfengling are all mountain roads. The road is in good condition but has many twists and turns. Everyone should drive carefully. In fact, the national highways in Hainan are good, with few cars and people, and the scenery is also good. If you are not in a hurry, if you want to be closer to Hainan, take the national highway instead of the expressway.
4. There are many tourists during the Golden Week, so accommodation issues must be resolved in advance. If you are in Sanya, Haikou, you need to book in advance through a travel agency or website. But you’d better prepare tents and other equipment and be prepared for camping in the mountains.
5. There are no branches of China Merchants Bank in Hainan. As for the business outlets of ICBC, CCB and Bank of Communications, they are only in big cities such as Haikou and Sanya. Only the Agricultural Bank of China is available in all counties and cities, but there are no ATMs in places that are too remote. However, there are still many WeChat payments in Alipay. It is recommended to bring cash.
6. Before setting off every day, check the car thoroughly for oil leakage (see if there are traces of oil on the ground under the car), measure the tire pressure to see if it is appropriate, and check the engine oil condition (take out the dipstick to check Is the color of the oil above normal and the oil height appropriate?). Finally, don’t forget to check whether the spare tire is intact.