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Hawaii Inter Island Flights - Flight Times, Prices, more

One of the most frequently asked questions in my forum is "Are there any boat ferries between islands as an alternative to flying" - and the answer is "No ... sort of" Update 2008 - The Hawaii Superferry is here, check its status here - as of July 2008, it is running between Maui and Oahu and back.

With a few exceptions, flying is the only way to get from one island to another. The major airports in Hawaii are:

  • Honolulu International Airport (HNL) - Oahu
  • Kona International Airport (KOA) - Big Island
  • Hilo International Airport (ITO) - Big Island
  • Lihue Airport (LIH) - Kauai
  • Kahului Airport - (OGG) - Maui

    but you can also fly into:
  • Hana Airport (HNM) - Maui
  • Kalaupapa Airport (LUP) - Molokai
  • Molokai Airport (MKK) - Molokai
  • Lanai Airport (LNY) - Lanai
  • Kapalua Airport (JHM) - Maui
  • Port Allen Airport (PAK) - Kauai

    (some of these latter airports only support the small propeller planes, so find out beforehand and be prepared)

    Flight times are generally short, with the longest one being the Big Island to Kauai; this flight will take almost an hour and a half.

    More Flight times
  • Honolulu to Kahului (Maui): 35 minutes
  • Honolulu to Lihu'e (Kauai): 35 minutes
  • Honolulu to Ho'olehua (Molokai): 20 minutes
  • Honolulu to Lana'i City (Lanai): 23 minutes
  • Honolulu to Kapalua (Maui): 30 minutes
  • Honolulu to Hilo (Big Island): 45 minutes
  • Honolulu to Kona (Big Island): 40 minutes

    Flight Prices

    The airlines available to fly between islands are two major ones and a few smaller ones. The major airlines are: Hawaiian Airlines and Go Airlines. Aloha used to be in there too but because of Go! they went out of business. Prices are also not really stable right now. In my opinion, there is still little difference between the two. They have similar costs and schedules and service. Book online for the best prices ($70 one way is the best regular price you will usually see, but you have to get these early). In 2006, newcomer Go! airlines entered the market and drove down prices. I like Go!.

    Historically, flights used to cost about $180 for visitors for most flights, but Interisland flight coupons were available, and Aloha Airlines had an unlimited 7 day pass for $321. However, neither of these is available anymore.

    The smaller charter airlines mostly service the neighbor islands for commuter flights, but are starting to try to expand to inter-island flights.

  • Pacific Wings
  • Mokulele Airlines
  • Island Air

    ---- The alternatives to flying for inter-island travel ---

    Cruises

    You can take a cruise between the islands, but you *cannot* get on for only one leg of the trip. You must take the entire cruise.

    Ferries
  • The Molokai Ferry
    Offering trips from Maui to Molokai
  • Lanai-Lahaina Ferry

    The above are the only two regular ferries between islands, the channels are just to far and rough for ferries between other islands to be feasible, especially when flights are so quick and relatively inexpensive

    HOWEVER

    The Hawaii Superferry may eventually offer service between all the islands - not just Maui and Oahu. What a beautiful ferry trip that would be!



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