|
Hawaii Travel
Getting Around the Islands
|
 |
Most Hawaii travel between the islands necessitates a short flight (Honoulu to Maui or Kauai takes 30-minutes, or to Big island takes 40 minutes). The only inter-island ferries shuttle between Maui and Lania and Molokai. Hawaiian Airlines and Aloha are the major inter island airlines and between them offer flights almost every half an hour between Oahu (Honolulu Airport) and Kauai (Lihue Airport in the south and Princeville Airport in the north), Maui (Kahului Airport on north coast and Kapalua on west Maui) and the Big Island (Keahole Airport on west coast and Hilo Airport on east coast). There are also several flights each day between Maui and the Big Island and also between Keahole Airport on the west coast of the Big island and Hilo Airport on the east coast of the Big Island - by car this trip takes about 6 hours). To get from Kauai to either Maui or the Big Island usually entails a brief stopover at Honolulu but there are occasional direct flights from Kauai to Maui.
Return flights from Honolulu to either Kauai, Maui, Lanai, Molokai or the Big island cost about US$150 return per segment. Air passes allowing unlimited travel within a set period are offered as special deals and are worth looking into. A 7-day pass for example is usually offered for US$350.
Once on the islands, the most convenient way to get around is by rental car. Car rentals appear cheap and are often flouted at US$15 per day, but once taxes and insurance are added, this can push the price to about US$40 per day. US citizens should find that car insurance from their home state will cover them for most insurance (check with the rental agency), but non-US citizens will need to spend at least US$15 per day to be covered. Car seats for children are required under 5 years of age - make sure you book this ahead of time as seats are not readily available.
Public buses are excellent on Oahu, Maui , Kauai and the Big island and are a much cheaper option but do not allow the flexibility of sightseeing. An alternative is to join one of the many coach tours that shuttle tourists en-masse around each island, stopping at the best sightseeing spots.
The Waikiki Shuttle Bus offers free travel within Waikiki. Buses into Ala Moana and Honolulu are extremely frequent and easy to follow, costing just over a dollar for a single ride.
Airlines, Car Rental & Transfers
Hawaii Tour Companies
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
