It's ExpensiveThe cost of living is the biggest downside of visiting Hawaii by land. As already mentioned, Hawaii is notoriously expensive, so you can save quite a bit by taking a cruise around the islands.
The weather in Hawaii is generally at its most pleasant in April, May, September and October, but if you prefer it hot and dry, the best time to cruise Hawaii is from June to August. The best times to see whales are the winter months (January through March), but you'll likely experience some rain.
Hawaiian Airlines reports that traveling to the state is generally cheapest in the shoulder seasons of late spring and early fall — and they should know, considering they operate both nonstop flights to Hawaii from the United States, Asia, and the South Pacific, as well as inter-island flights that can get you from one ...
The flight duration to Honolulu from Los Angeles International Airport is around 5 hours and 42 minutes (342 minutes). Ideally, the flight covers a distance of 2,556 miles.
At present, there are no public ferry services that operate directly between California and Hawaii. This is mainly due to the long distance and logistical challenges involved in such a voyage.
For a one week trip, that means you'll spend anywhere from $350 to $1000 per week. Just remember that if you do choose to get a car rental in Hawaii, you'll need to be aware of parking fees. Parking fees around the cities cost just a few dollars per hour.
If all you want to do is go have a family resort vacation (and there's nothing at all wrong with that), the Caribbean might have the edge as a family-friendly destination. If you want to get out there to explore and experience a wide range of natural wonders — Hawaii probably takes the pineapple-flavored cake.
The cheapest time to fly to Hawaii is during February and March. The most expensive month to fly is December when the holiday period falls, with January being very expensive as well. The peak travel months of June and July are surprisingly not the most expensive months for flights, with middle figure prices.
If you're strapped for time here's the quick answer: Absolutely!It's perfectly feasible to fly to Hawaii and then embark on an interisland cruise. Most cruises depart from Honolulu on Oahu, so you can simply book a flight to Honolulu and then join your cruise ship there.
That's why we recommend flying as the best way to travel to Hawaii. This way, you can leave home and arrive in paradise on the same day. And even for travelers on the far East Coast of the mainland, it's only a 12-14 hour flight. OK, so that's not exactly a short flight, but it sure beats coming by boat.
The wettest months are from November to March, but winter rains do not generally disrupt vacation plans, since the weather is very localized. This means that if it is raining where you are, there is almost always a sunny spot to be found around the coast.
December 21, 2023: 16-day cruise to Hawaii on Holland America Line. Round-trip from San Diego to Honolulu (Hawaii), Maui (Hawaii), Hilo (Hawaii), Kona (Hawaii) and Ensenada (Mexico). January 13, 2024: 17-day cruise to Hawaii on Holland America Line.