While most Hawaiian islands have a single main airport, the Big Island is large enough (its land mass is more sizable than all the other islands combined) to have two airports in Hawaii: Hilo and Kona.
People Also Ask
Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole is the primary airport on the Island of Hawaii. It serves transpacifc and interisland flights. KOA is located in West Hawaii at Keahole. The Big Island is known for its active volcanoes, orchids, golf courses and scenic coastline.
Practical Differences Between Kona And Hilo AirportsHilo International Airport is located in Hilo Town on the east side of the island. In general, you'll want to keep in mind that Kona is sunnier and more popular with visitors. With that comes convenience, more activities, and a plethora of things to do nearby.
Lower Tourist Population = Lower PricesThis means greater room availability and lower prices for accommodations in and around Hilo, making a Hawaii vacation within easier reach for those traveling on a budget.
Driving along Hawaii Belt Road and Mamalahoa Highway would be considered the scenic route—the 125-mile trip takes about three hours. Fortunately, there's a lot to see on the way from Kailua-Kona to Hilo, so if you've got the time—and gas—to spare, here's a guide on what to look out for on your journey.
To get around the islands of Hawaii, you can fly by helicopter, travel by ferry or hop on a boat. But while there are options, in most cases, you are probably boarding a flight before saying aloha to your next Hawaiian island destination.
Most visitors arrive in Kona. There is also the option of flying into Honolulu International Airport (HNL) on O?ahu first and then taking a short, 35-40 minute flight to the island of Hawai?i.
If you're traveling from the United States, Kahului is the cheapest Hawaiian city to fly into, making the Maui Kahului Airport (OGG) among the cheapest airports in Hawaii. This is a big plus to many vacationers because Maui happens to be one of the most popular vacation destinations.
But, there are important differences between Maui and Oahu vacations. If you're looking for a typical Hawaiian tourist vacation, Oahu offers Waikiki Beach, historical memorials and modern culture. Meanwhile, travelers should head to Maui to enjoy outdoorsy adventures, from snorkeling to hiking volcanic peaks.
Hawaii is a stunning location with plenty of fun things to do, no matter which island you visit. If you're in the market for a beachy, relaxing vacation, you may want to head to Maui. Otherwise, consider Honolulu for its abundance of hotels, things to do and plentiful flight connections to other U.S. cities.
While many vacations are five to seven days long, we recommend staying for at least 10 days to enjoy your Hawaiian vacation. The time change is difficult to adjust to at first and takes about 3 days to get fully acclimated. So, allowing a couple days to get over the jet lag is important.
April thru June and mid-August thru mid-September are Hawaii's low seasons, and airfares are lower then. No matter what time of year you travel, you may be able to score better deals if you travel midweek.
Maui has some of the best beaches in Hawaii and is a whale-watching hotspot. Maui is the place to be if you are interested in whale-watching tours. The island's surrounding waters contain the world's densest humpback whale population. Each year sees over 10,000 whales migrate to the island's waters.
The ferry service between Honolulu and Maui is provided by a company called Expeditions. The ferry takes approximately 2.5 hours to get from one island to another and operates daily. A one-way ticket costs $39 for adults, $20 for children between the ages of 2-12, and kids under two can ride the ferry for free.
Restaurants, shops, beaches, activities and several major attractions (including the Honolulu Zoo, Waikiki Aquarium, Kapiolani Park and the U.S. Army Museum) are within walking distance of most hotels in Waikiki, so if you're not going anywhere else, you won't need a car.
Usually when people do drive the island in one day, they focus on spending quality time on the far side, typically Akaka Falls, VNP, Punalu'u. The drive time best time is about 6 hours with an additional 1 hour for Puna (impractical), not counting any stops. BI is about half the size of New Jersey.
Drive from Kona to Volcano Via Southpoint. Driving non-stop via the Southpoint Route is a long 100-mile winding drive to Volcano (2.5 Hours). There are many adventures along the way. If you want to take the tour, plan to spend 4 or 5 hours from Kona Airport to Volcano.