How to get to Honolulu, Oahu

Oahu, known as 'The Gathering Place', is home to Hawaii’s capital city of Honolulu.

The most convenient route to Oahu is by air to Honolulu International Airport (HNL), also known as Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, located on the southeast coast of Oahu about 10km (6mi) northwest of Honolulu's central business district and 15km (9mi) west of Waikiki Beach.

Oahu is the third-largest of the Hawaiian islands, a chain of volcanic islands in the North Pacific Ocean, around 3860km (2398mi) from mainland USA.


Flight times to Honolulu, Oahu

The following are the most convenient and quickest routes to Honolulu International Airport (HNL), Oahu.

From United States: Delta Air Lines, Hawaiian Airlines, American Airlines, Alaskan Airlines and United Airlines operate the most convenient daily flights to Honolulu, Oahu.

Atlanta to Honolulu is 9 hrs 41 min, direct flight
Boston to Honolulu is 11 hrs 5 min, direct flight
Chicago to Honolulu is 9 hrs 14 min, direct flight
Dallas-Fort Worth to Honolulu is 8 hrs 13 min, direct flight
Houston to Honolulu is 8 hrs 18 min, direct flight
New York to Honolulu is 10 hrs 50 min, direct flight
Los Angeles to Honolulu is 5 hrs 36 min, direct flight
San Francisco to Honolulu is 5 hrs 12 min, direct flight
Seattle to Honolulu is 6 hrs 15 min, direct flight


From Canada: Air Canada, Westjet, Hawaiian Airlines and United Airlines offer the most convenient flights to Honolulu, Oahu.

Toronto to Honolulu is 9 hrs 55 min, direct flight
Vancouver to Honolulu is 6 hrs 5 min, direct flight

Montreal to Honolulu is 12 hrs 35 min, connecting flightˆ


From Australia: Air New Zealand, Virgin Australia, Qantas, Jetstar and Hawaiian Airlines offer the most convenient flights to Honolulu, Oahu.

Brisbane to Honolulu is 9 hrs 15 min, direct flight
Melbourne to Honolulu is 10 hrs 30 min, direct flight
Sydney to Honolulu is 9 hrs 15 min, direct flight

Adelaide to Honolulu is 12 hrs, connecting flightˆ
Perth to Honolulu is 14 hrs, 50 min, connecting flightˆ


From New Zealand: Air New Zealand and Hawaiian Airlines operate regular direct flights to Honolulu, Oahu.

Auckland to Honolulu is 8 hrs 30 min, direct flight


From Japan: Delta Air Lines, Hawaiian Airlines, Japan Airlines, All Nippon Airways and United Airlines offer the most convenient direct flights to Honolulu, Oahu.

Tokyo to Honolulu is 7 hrs 5 min, direct flight


From China: China Eastern Airlines, China Southern Airlines, Japan Airlines and Cathay Pacific offer the most convenient flights to Honolulu, Oahu.

Shanghai to Honolulu is 9 hrs 45 min, direct flight

Beijing to Honolulu is 11 hrs 35 min, connecting flightˆ
Hong Kong to Honolulu is 12 hrs 15 min, connecting flightˆ


From Singapore: Singapore Airlines and United Airlines operate regular flights to Honolulu, Oahu.

Singapore to Honolulu is 15 hrs 45 min, connecting flightˆ


From United Kingdom: British Airways, United Airlines, American Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines offer the most convenient flights to Honolulu, Oahu.

London to Honolulu is 17 hrs 27 min, connecting flightˆ
Manchester to Honolulu is 17 hrs 12 min, connecting flightˆ


From France: Air France, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines and United Airlines offer the most convenient flights to Honolulu, Oahu.

Paris to Honolulu is 17 hrs 57 min, connecting flightˆ


From Germany: Air Canada, All Nippon Airways, WestJet, Lufthansa and Alaska Airlines offer the most convenient flights to Honolulu.

Berlin to Honolulu is 20 hrs 5 min, connecting flightˆ
Dusseldorf to Honolulu is 19 hrs 54 min, connecting flightˆ
Frankfurt to Honolulu is 17 hrs 45 min, connecting flightˆ
Hamburg to Honolulu is 19 hrs 55 min, connecting flightˆ
Munich to Honolulu is 17 hrs 40 min, connecting flightˆ

(ˆincludes transfer time.)


Flying in

Honolulu International Airport (HNL) is located on the south shore of Oahu, around 10km (6mi) northwest of Honolulu's CBD and around 15km (9mi) west of Waikiki Beach.

Honolulu International Airport comprises three terminals: the Overseas Terminal, Commuter Terminal and Interisland Terminal.


Transfer between terminals:

Free shuttle buses run between the three terminals.


Public transport

Taxi: AMPCO Express (tel: +1 808 861 8294) is Honolulu International Airport's authorised taxi service.

The fare from Honolulu International Airport to Waikiki is about US$35-40, plus a baggage charge of 50 cents per bag. Journey time is around 20 minutes. Taxis are available outside the arrivals hall.

Shuttle: The 24-hour SpeediShuttle (tel: +1 877 242 5777; www.speedishuttle.com) serves hotels in Waikiki. The fare to Waikiki or Honolulu Harbour is US$15.48, including up to two bags.

Bus: Honolulu city's bus system, known as TheBus (tel: +1 808 848 4500; www.thebus.org) offers several routes from Honolulu International Airport to Waikiki Beach, both via central Honolulu. One-way fares cost US$2.50.


Car rental

Car hire companies at Honolulu International Airport include Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, Thrifty and National. Desks for these agencies can be found in the baggage claim area of the main terminal.


Terminal facilities

Money: ATMs and bureaux de change facilities are located throughout the terminals.

Food: Numerous bars, cafés, restaurants and fast food chains are located at Honolulu International Airport, most of which are located in the Overseas Terminal.

There is one bar serving snacks in the Commuter Terminal and a wider selection of eateries in the Interisland Terminal.

Shopping: There are numerous shops at Honolulu International Airport, including a duty-free shop in the Overseas Terminal. Elsewhere, a newsagent is located in the Commuter Terminal and a small selection of retailers can be found in the Interisland Terminal.

Wi-Fi: Paid-for Wi-Fi internet access is available inside the security areas of Honolulu International Airport, as are fixed internet stations and phone recharging points. There is a post office in the Overseas Terminal (main terminal).

Other: A 24-hour medical clinic (tel: +1 808 836 6643) is located on the ground floor of the Overseas Terminal; defibrillators (AEDs) are available. Many airlines provide lounges for business-class passengers.


Disabled facilities

Honolulu International Airport is wheelchair accessible and provides lifts and easy-access toilets. TDD telephones are available in all terminals, and there is a TTY information hotline (tel: +1 808 836 6601).

There are parking facilities for disabled travellers near the terminal entrances at the airport. A shuttle van service with wheelchair access is on hand to provide transportation.

Any passengers who may require additional assistance are advised to contact their airline before travelling.


Entry requirements

A machine-readable passport valid for at least six months beyond intended period of stay as well as a ticket for return or onward travel. Under the Visa Waiver Programme (VWP), nationals of Australia, New Zealand, Ireland and the United Kingdom do not need a visa for stays up to 90 days.


Getting around

On land – It's best to hire a car, easily available from the airport. Traffic drives on the right. Taxis, public buses and bicycles are also available.

Between islands – Hawaiian Airlines provides frequent inter-island flights, usually daily. Ferries link all the main islands with frequent services between Lana’i, O'ahu, Maui, Kauai'i and the Big Island.


More about Oahu…



Latest update: How to get to Oahu: 13 January, 2023



Advertising