How to Get to Hawaii

Hawaii is an archipelago formed by volcanic activity, located in the Pacific Ocean, 2,400 miles off the shore of California. The main islands are Hawaii (also called “Big Island”), Maui, Kauai, and Oahu. The Hawaiian Islands are known for their stunning sandy beaches, dramatic volcanic landscapes and rich Polynesian culture. It is an idyllic tropical destination that attracts visitors from all over the world. When planning a trip to Hawaii, knowing how to get there, which airport to use, and the best time to book to avoid expensive fares is the first thing you must know.

How to fly to Hawaii?

The main international gateways to Hawaii are Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) in Honolulu and Kona International Airport (KOA), located in Kailua-Kona on the west side of the island, both of which are well-connected to major cities in North America and Asia. Kahului Airport (OGG) in Maui only operates flights to and from the United States. These airports are mainly served by American airlines such as Hawaiian Airlines, United Airlines and Delta. As most travellers explore at least two islands, it may be wise to choose a multi-destination or open-jaw ticket when booking your journey. An open-jaw ticket only allows you to leave from an airport different from that of the outward journey; you will still need to book tickets for domestic flights.

Flying to Hawaii from North America:

If you are located in North America, you can fly directly to Hawaii from cities such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, in 5 to 6 hours or from New York City in 10 hours. Hawaiian Airlines, United Airlines, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, and Delta are the most popular carriers to Honolulu, Maui and Big Island. Canadians also have a few direct options from Vancouver, Calgary, and Edmonton with Air Canada and WestJet.

Flying to Hawaii from Europe:

There are no direct flights from Europe to Hawaii. If you are based in Europe, you must first fly via North America, with an ideal stopover in California at Los Angeles or San Francisco Airport. Airlines which offer connecting flights from Europe to Hawaii include Air France, Lufthansa, and British Airways. The total flight time from Europe to Hawaii is around 12 to 14 hours, including stopovers.

Flying to Hawaii from Asia-Pacific:

You can also choose to travel from the East. All Nippon Airways, Korean Air, Japan Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines operate flights from Japan and South Korea to Honolulu Airport. However, Kona Airport only receives flights from Japan. It takes around 8 hours to fly from Tokyo and Seoul. You can also fly direct from Australia, from both Sydney and Melbourne, with Hawaiian Airlines, Qantas and Jetstar. Flight time averages 11 hours. New Zealanders also have a direct connection from Auckland to Honolulu in 9 hours with Hawaiian Airlines and Air New Zealand.

How much does it cost to fly to Hawaii?

The cost of flying to Hawaii varies depending on the airline, the time of year, and the departure city. Before booking, it’s always a good idea to compare prices and check for any deals or promotions to get the best value for your money. Here are the average prices of return flights to Hawaii:

From North America:

• Los Angeles/San Francisco to Honolulu: 350 – 650 USD
• New York to Honolulu: 650 – 1200 USD
• Vancouver to Honolulu: 300 – 600 CAD

From Europe (no direct flights):  

• Paris to Honolulu: 800 € – 1500 €  
• London to Honolulu: £900 – £1300 
• Frankfurt to Honolulu: 900 € – 1400 €

From Asia-Pacific:  

• Tokyo to Honolulu: 100,000 – 160,000 JPY
• Sydney to Honolulu: 900 – 1500 AUD 

Best Time to Visit Hawaii

Hawaii has a tropical climate, with warm temperatures and high humidity year-round. The best time to visit Hawaii for the best climate and the fewest visitors is April-May and September-October. The summer months are also known as the off-season, as it can be hot and humid, hurricanes may occur, but it remains quite exceptional. Average water temperatures near Honolulu range from 25°C (77°F) in winter months to 28°C (82°F) in late summer and early fall.

Winter is slightly rainier, but is also the whale-watching season, particularly from February to March. In Maui, whales start arriving as early as December, and diving while listening to their songs underwater is a magical experience worth planning for.

Visa Requirements to enter the USA

If you’re not an American citizen, there is no need to apply for a visa when visiting Hawaii (which is one of the states of the USA) for a maximum of 90 days if your passport is from Canada, the European Union, Japan, Australia, or New Zealand (check the full list of Visa Waiver Program countries here).. If you are not sure whether your country of citizenship is exempt from a visa for the USA, it’s always a good idea to check with the American embassy in your country before travelling to confirm the latest visa requirements.

Even if you don’t need a visa to visit the USA as a tourist, you must apply for an ESTA. Beware, to apply no later than 72 hours before departing, real-time approvals are no longer available.