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, from which airport to the best season 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,  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 travelers explore at least two islands, it may be wise to choose a multi-destination ticket, or Open Jaw (OJ) 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 the USA:

If you are located in North America, you can fly direct 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.

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 a stopover in cities such as Los Angeles or San Francisco. Airlines which offer 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 layovers.

Flying to Hawaii from Asia:

You can also choose to travel via the East side. All Nippon Airways, Korean Air, Japan Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines operate flights from Japan, South Korea and Taiwan to Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) in Honolulu but Kona International Airport in Kailua-Kona only receives flights from Japan.  It will take around 8 hours to fly from Tokyo and Seoul and 10 hours from Taipei to Honolulu. 

How much does it cost to fly to Hawaii?

The cost of flying to Hawaii varies depending on the airlines, 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 to fly to Hawaii:

From the USA:

• Los Angeles: 340 USD to 550 USD
• San Francisco: 330 USD to 520 USD
• Washington DC: 700 USD to 1,200 USD
• New York: 750 USD to 1,000 USD

From Europe:  

• Paris: 1200 € to 1 600 €  
• London: £900 to £1,100 
• Amsterdam: 740 € to 1 000 € 

From Australia:  

• Sydney: 760 AUD to 1,300 AUD 

From Japan:

• Tokyo: 700 USD to 1,000 USD
• Osaka: 650 USD to 900 USD

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, September and October. The summer months are also known as an 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.

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 and New Zealand. However, ESTA application is mandatory. It costs US$14 per person. Beware to apply no later than 72 hours before departing, real-time approvals are no longer available.

When planning to go to Hawaii, It’s always a good idea to check with the United States embassy in your country before travelling to confirm the latest visa requirements.