Cheap flights to Hawaii (HI), USA

Hawaii Travel Guide

Cheap airline tickets to Hawaii lead to leis and luaus, but try and imagine a world without the hula. This provocative hip-shaking, belly-baring dance was once banned by missionaries. Thank goodness, the hula is still legal today and Hawaii travelers will get their fair share of it. The hula is so contagious; it’s likely you’ll start dancing on your cheap flight to Hawaii.

Hawaii is exactly what the movies and photographs make it out to be. Blue lagoons, palm trees, rainforests, secret gardens, cascading waterfalls, and towering volcanoes. Find a flight to Hawaii to see beaches that range in color from gold to black and its waters are clear blue. There’s no shortage of adventure in Hawaii, which is why tourists always return year after year.

Hawaii is made up of eight main islands – Hawaii, Maui, Kahoolawe, Oahu, Kauai, Lanai, Molokai, Niihau – and hundreds of smaller islands, and inter-island Hawaii flights are relatively inexpensive. The Aloha State was formally admitted as the 50th state to the United States on August 21, 1959.The best way to see Hawaii is to choose your island and fly directly there. Travelers can get additional Hawaii flights from Oahu, the Big Island, Maui, and Kauai. But before you leave for your return flight, make sure you grab your lei. 

When is the best time to fly to Hawaii?

Peak season:

The main peak season runs from the middle of December through to March. You’ll find it very difficult to find cheap flights to Hawaii then, especially around Christmas. You’ll need to book your flight tickets well in advance for any chance of securing cheap flights to Hawaii. School holidays in the summer are also busy times of the year but you’ll find flight tickets and hotel rates are cheaper than in the winter.

 Off season:

You’ll find the cheapest flights to Hawaii during either the spring or autumn months of the year – April to June and September to early December. You’ll find the weather is at its best too so booking cheap flights to Hawaii outside of the major tourist seasons can be a big benefit. You will need to plan well ahead and secure your flight tickets early if you plan to visit at the last weekend of April as that is Japan’s Golden week, making the islands very, very busy.

 When is the best time to book a flight to Hawaii?

It’s always best to try and secure your flight tickets as early as you can to find the cheapest flights to Hawaii. Aim to book your flights to Hawaii around 3 or 4 months in advance. If you visit during spring or autumn you can be a bit more lenient with when you secure your flight tickets as cheap flights to Hawaii are generally easier to come by. Flexibility is key to securing the cheapest flights to Hawaii so if you’re not governed by school holidays or set weeks of the year then you’ll find discounted flight tickets. Sitting on either side of the plane should give you great views as you approach although sometimes you will have slightly better sights if you sit on the right hand side.

How long is the flight to Hawaii?

A lone paradise in the middle of the Pacific, Hawaii is a remote destination no matter where you start your journey. Leaving from New York, your flight would land in Hawaii in around 10 hours and 20 minutes. On the other hand, the flight time from Los Angeles is five hours and 20 minutes. From Orlando, your flight would last 10 hours, and flights leaving from Chicago take eight and a half hours.

Which airlines fly to Hawaii?

As a top tourist destination, Hawaii receives flights from all major U.S. airlines landing in the state’s major airport, Honolulu International Airport. Alongside options such as United, Delta and American airlines, you can also fly in via Air China, Air Canada and other international airline companies. However, if you’re headed to Maui or one of the other islands, direct flights from the U.S. mainland are limited, with most connecting in Honolulu.

What should you pack for a flight to Hawaii?

 High temperatures in Hawaii range between 78 and 88 F year round, so get ready for the balmy weather with plenty of sundresses, tank tops and other lightweight clothing. Bathing suits, cover-ups and sunglasses are a must for lounging in the sun, and don’t forget to pack plenty of sunblock. A pair of flip flops is a beach-side necessity, but hiking sandals are also a must if you plan to explore the area’s rich natural treasures.

Getting to and around the city of Hawaii

Honolulu:

Bus routes number 19 and 20 both run from the airport and go to downtown Honolulu making it relatively easy to find yourself in the city. The only trouble you might have with the buses is if you have a lot of baggage or if you have oversized bags. In that case you are better off jumping in a taxi from outside of the airport. The price of a taxi is a lot more than a bus however although if you can split the fare with a friend you’ll find it won’t be too bad. Make sure you agree on the fee before getting in though.

 Kahului:

There are two buses, Route 40 and Route 35, both of which are accessible from the airport. They only operate every 90 minutes though so once you’ve booked your flights to Hawaii it might be worth looking into securing transport before you fly. The other option is to jump into a taxi although this won’t be cheap, splitting the fare with a friend makes it a lot more reasonable. 

What are some things to do in Hawaii?

Whatever your Hawaiian vacation style, the archipelago of tropical islands has a lot to offer. If you’re headed to the big island, feel the sand between your toes on Waikiki Beach once you get settled into your hotel. This is the perfect time to take some surf lessons. For a more secluded experience, swim in the ever-calm waters of Lanikai Beach. Don’t forget to bring your snorkeling gear for spotting sea turtles and tropical fish.

Had your fill of sandy beaches? Hike to the summit of Diamond Head for breathtaking views, or stop by the Kapiolani Community College’s Farmers Market to pick up some fresh pineapple. For a taste of local history, stop by Lolani Palace to see where Hawaiian royalty lived until the late 1800s. Adrenaline junkies also have plenty of entertainment options in Hawaii, from ATV tours to shark dives. At the end of the day, catch a luau in Waikiki for traditional cuisine, Hawaiian music and hula dancing.

If you’re ready to venture off of Oahu, head to the lush island of Maui for natural hikes and zipline adventures. For the best views of Hawaii’s active volcanoes, make your way to the lava viewing area in Kalapana on the island of Hawaii, otherwise known as the Big Island. If a tranquil getaway is more your style, head to the island of Molokai, where waterfalls and rainforests take the place of high-rise hotels.

Tips for your stay in Hawaii

An archipelago of more than 19 distinct volcanic islands in the middle of the turquoise Pacific, Hawaii is America’s 50^th state. It has a reputation for offering visitors a friendly welcome, so it’s no wonder millions visit each year.

Hawaii is one of those places where the reality really does live up to the hype. The islands’ flawless natural beauty is still the country’s main asset, with coral reef cities and fiery volcanoes, thundering waterfalls and cavorting whales.

There are eight main islands, six of them open to tourists. The most densely populated and developed is the island of Oahu, home to the state’s capital of Honolulu and one of Hawaii’s best known holiday destinations, Waikiki Beach. There are also rainforests to experience, trails to hike and beautiful beaches that play host to some of the world’s most high-profile surfing competitions.

Finding Flights from Hawaii

Whether you’re headed to the mainland or planning a European adventure, you can find plenty of flights leaving Hawaii. Major airlines such as Delta and United leave from Honolulu, and smaller local airlines leave from the other islands to connect in Honolulu.

Looking for cheap flights from Hawaii? Here are a few routes that other travelers are flying.

Hawaii to New York 

Hawaii to Los Angeles

Hawaii to London

To get to the Honolulu airport, take State Highway 1 about five miles west of downtown. You can also get there via bus route 19, 20 or 31. For airports on the other islands, call a taxi or see if the local bus system offers an airport route. The Maui bus system, for example, offers two routes to the Kahului airport leaving every 90 minutes. Remember to get going early to ensure plenty of time to get to your gate.