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Best Airport to Fly into Hawaii

Here is your complete guide for the best airport to fly into Hawaii. If you’re planning a Hawaii vacation, you might think you must fly into Honolulu on the island of Oahu. However, as a Hawaii Travel Agent, I am here to tell you that isn’t the case!

Today, we will discuss the best airport to fly into Hawaii, which cities offer nonstop flights to Hawaii, and more. 

I strongly recommend renting a car on any of the Hawaiian islands. You will need a car anywhere but Oahu, but even on Oahu, I recommend one if you want to explore the beautiful island outside of Honolulu and Waikiki.

You’ll find the best prices anywhere at Discount Hawaii Car Rental. 

Major Airports on the Hawaiian Islands

• Honolulu or HNL on Oahu
• Kahului or OGG on Maui
• Lihue or LIH on Kauai
• Kona or KOA on the West Kona Side of the Big Island
• Hilo or ITO on the Wast Hilo Side of the Big Island
• Lanai City or LNY on Lanai
• Kaunakakai or MKK on Molokai

So many people believe you must start by flying into Honolulu for your vacation in Hawaii. However, that isn’t true. You can easily take direct flights to major airports on the other Hawaiian Islands. These direct flights are offered from a few cities within the United States.

Direct flights may be your best option when you don’t want to waste time reaching your destination.

The only exceptions are the major airports in Lanai and Molokai. For those, you must fly into the Honolulu International Airport on Oahu or Kahului Airport on Maui first. Then, you can catch a connecting flight.

Do I need a rental car in Hawaii?

You will find plenty of car rentals when you fly into the airports in Oahu, Maui, and the Big Island. Rental cars will be far and few between on the islands of Lanai and Molokai. Keep this in mind as you are planning your Hawaiian vacation. 

Public transportation is not readily available outside of Oahu, so make sure to reserve a car well in advance! As a Hawaii Travel Agent, I highly recommend renting on any island in Hawaii.

You’ll find the best prices anywhere at Discount Hawaii Car Rental. Some people say you don’t need a rental car on Oahu, which is true! However, if you truly want to explore the island, I recommend renting a car. For other islands, it’s a must!

Now that you know what the major airports on each Hawaii Island are, let’s dive deeper into the airports you may find yourself in during your vacation.

What is the Best Airport to Fly into Hawaii?

Here are the best airports to fly into Hawaii, starting with the largest airport, Daniel K Inouye International Airport. 

Daniel K. Inoyu International Airport

This is the official name of the Honolulu airport on Oahu and it’s the best airport to fly into Hawaii if you plan to stay on the island of Oahu.

This is a very busy airport. You will find that it is usually crowded. I recommend considering your travel times carefully if you want to avoid the crowds. This is especially true when booking your return flight.

Kahului Airport

Kahului Airport is the major airport on the island of Maui and the one you’ll most likely fly into.

Hana Airport

Your main reason for being on this side of the island is to tackle the Road to Hana or to stay at the Hana-Maui Resort. 

This tiny airport has just one runway. If you’re staying at Hana-Maui, they can arrange to pick you up.

Kapalua Airport

This is another small airport on Maui. You likely won’t be flying into this airport.

Kona Airport

The official name of this airport is Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport or KOA. You will find this airport on the Big Island and it’s the primary airport for Big Island travel. 

No matter which island you visit, check out Viator for the best tours in Hawaii! The Big Island is home to a very unique experience, snorkeling with manta rays! 

Hilo International Airport

Hilo International Airport is an option if you plan to stay in or near Hilo, but this is a local town and I don’t recommend it as it’s not set up for tourists. 

Make sure to check out my Guide to Volcanoes National Park and 20 Things to Do in Hilo because it’s an easy day trip from Kona!

Lihue Airport

You will always need to fly into Lihue Airport while vacationing on the island of Kauai. You may be able to catch non-stop flights from certain US cities but some flights connect through HNL.

Why visit Kauai? The beautiful Na Pali Coast is one good reason! Other incredible options on this Garden Island include Waimea Canyon and beautiful beaches.

Check out 50 things to do on Kauai and the 16 best beaches in Kauai for swimming to learn more about my favorite island!

Lanai City Airport

An interisland flight will be necessary if you want to fly into Lanai City. The island of Lanai has one of the smallest airports. This shouldn’t be surprising since it is a small island!

You can also take the ferry from Maui to Lanai. The ferry ride is about 45 minutes each way. 

Many people wonder if there are ferries between the Hawaiian islands, and this is the only one!

Molokai Airport

The island of Molokai is slightly larger than Lanai. However, it still has a small airport. You will always need to stop in Honolulu before catching the best flight to this island. This is the least visited of the Hawaiian islands, and the locals like it that way! If you do venture to Molokai, please be respectful!

Airlines Offering Nonstop Flights from the US to the Hawaiian Islands

A few airlines offer nonstop flights from the US to at least one Hawaiian airport. Those airlines include:

• Alaska Airlines
• American Airlines
• Delta Airlines
• Hawaiian Airlines
• Southwest Airlines
• United Airlines

Airports with non-stop flights to Hawaii

The cities in the US with major airports that usually offer nonstop flights include:

• Atlanta – ATL
• Boston – BOS
• Chicago – ORD
• Dallas – DFW
• Denver – DEN
• Las Vegas – LAS
• Los Angeles – LAX
• New York City – JFK
• Newark – EWR
• Seattle – SEA
• San Diego – SAN
• San Francisco – SFO

Some of these cities only offer direct domestic flights seasonally while others will provide daily flights year-round. 

The cheapest months to fly are often the “shoulder season” which is September-October and April-May.

International Airlines that Fly to Hawaii from International Airports

Those airlines include:

• Air Canada
• Air New Zealand
• Air Pacific
• Mokulele Airlines
• Japan Airlines
• Qantas Airways

You can fly from many different international destinations to Hawaii using these airlines. You won’t be able to reach the smaller airports in Hawaii and may need to take a connecting flight.

The best airport to fly to Hawaii

There you have it, the best airports to fly into Hawaii. Which Hawaiian island is on your bucket list? Let me know in the comments!

More hawaii travel tips

Want even more ideas for things to do during your Hawaii vacation? Check out: 

• The 21 best beaches in Oahu
• The Best Beaches West Maui
• 15 easy hikes in Maui
• How to see snow in Hawaii mountains
• The 30 best beaches in Hawaii
• The best Oahu snorkeling

Although I am a Hawaii Travel Agent, I am only taking on a few clients per month. You can contact me if you’d like more information. I recommend starting with my Hawaii travel guide if you plan to DIY your vacation!

Dreaming of Hawaii but not ready to travel just yet? Sign up for my newsletter! You will receive a weekly email with travel tips, Hawaii news, and more. Also, if you love these posts and want to support my blog but aren’t prepared to travel, you can buy me a coffee to show your support. I ❤️ coffee!

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