It’s straightforward to get round in Hawaii. Frequent flights join the islands, and the roads are largely in fine condition.
Essentially the most populous island, Oʻahu, has good public transit, whereas the adventurous will discover rugged roads prepared to check their 4WD expertise in distant corners throughout the islands.
From hopping a 20-minute flight between islands to tackling the highway past Hana in your individual SUV, here is the rundown on transportation in Hawaii.
Air journey is the preferred strategy to get across the Hawaiian islands
Nearly all journey between Hawaii’s islands is within the air. Interisland flights are quick and frequent. The busiest airports are Honolulu (Oʻahu), Kahului (Maui), Kona and Hilo on Hawaiʻi (Large Island), and Lihuʻe (Kauaʻi). Smaller airports with common service embody Lanaʻi Metropolis (Lanaʻi), Kaunakakai and Kalaupapa on Molokaʻi, Kapalua and Hana on Maui, and Kamuela (Waimea) on the Large Island.
Hawaii’s most important service – Hawaiian Airways – gives an online of frequent interisland flights on jets. A lot-needed competitors between the principle airports is offered by Southwest, though its schedule is proscribed. Service to the smaller airports is offered by Mokulele Airlines, which operates small prop planes. These flights fly decrease than the jets and might double as sightseeing excursions.
Advance fares for interisland flights may be as little as $40. Stroll-up fares are nearer to $200. Airline laws regarding surfboards, bicycles and different outsized baggage range and may be restrictive, to not point out costly.
Journey between these Hawaii islands by boat
Hawaii has solely one interisland ferry route, a several-times-daily operation between Lahaina on Maui and Lanaʻi. It’s good for day journeys in addition to common transport, though the Lahaina dock just isn’t effectively served by public transit. Journeys usually embody sightings of dolphins and whales.
Norwegian Cruise Line operates seven-day cruises to the 4 largest islands, however these are round-trip voyages from Honolulu. It’s not potential to e-book particular person segments between the islands.
Be a part of locals on the bus community
Public buses run on Hawaii’s bigger islands, however it’s time-consuming and troublesome to get round by bus, besides on Oʻahu. The state’s most-populous island is the simplest to get round due to TheBus, the general public transit service. Bus routes radiate out from Honolulu, and it’s straightforward to get round to the principle sights in addition to to and from Waikiki. Service is frequent and low cost.
Exterior of Oʻahu, public bus programs are extra geared towards resident commuters. Service tends to be rare and restricted to most important cities, typically bypassing vacationer locations totally.
After Oʻahu, the following greatest system is Maui Bus, however it does not run to Hana or Haleakalā Nationwide Park. The Large Island’s Hele-On Bus will get you round (although slowly, and typically not on Sundays) to many island cities, however schedules are too restricted for sightseeing. It stops at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes Nationwide Park’s most important customer heart.
Kauaʻi Bus runs between the principle cities, however to not the Na Pali Coast, Waimea Canyon or Kokeʻe State Park. The North Shore Shuttle connects Hanalei and Haena State Park on the North Shore. On Molokaʻi, the free MEO Bus runs east and west of Kaunakakai each couple of hours on weekdays, however affirm schedules upfront.
Drive your self round Hawaii in a rental automotive
Should you’re solely visiting Honolulu and Waikiki, a automotive is an pointless expense and inconvenience. However if you wish to do any exploring past the principle cities and resorts, renting a automotive is important. A 4WD automobile might turn out to be useful for explorations off paved roads on Lanaʻi and the Large Island.
Main automotive rental corporations have workplaces at massive airports and resort areas. At smaller airports and on Lanaʻi and Molokaʻi, selections are very restricted, and charges are excessive. Hawaii has just a few impartial automotive rental corporations in bigger resort areas that supply specialist automobiles like electrical automobiles. All the most important rental corporations supply hybrids.
On some islands, attention-grabbing parks, seashores and mountaineering trails can solely be reached by a 4WD automobile. Don’t take rental automobiles on unpaved roads as a result of the fines from the rental corporations may be steep, and for those who get caught, the price of a tow may be ruinous. If unsure, discover out which roads are off-limits from the agent once you decide up your automotive. Some corporations even restrict the place you possibly can drive a 4WD rental.
Hire a moped or motorbike
Moped and motorbike leases usually are not frequent in Hawaii however can be found in some resort areas. Charges usually are not low. The minimal age for renting a moped is 16 (with a legitimate driver’s license); for a bike, it is 21. State regulation requires mopeds to be ridden by one individual solely and prohibits their use on sidewalks and freeways.
Get across the cities by taxi
The primary islands have taxis with metered fares primarily based on mileage, though just a few drivers might supply flat charges. Charges range as a result of they’re set by every county, however they common greater than $3 because the meter begins after which $3 or extra per extra mile (baggage and airport surcharges might apply).
Cabs are available at main airports and lots of lodges and resorts, however in any other case you will have to order one. Uber operates on Oʻahu, and Lyft is offered on the bigger islands.
Cycle across the islands of Hawaii
Biking across the Hawaiian islands is a good, nonpolluting strategy to journey. As a major mode of transportation, nevertheless, biking is usually a problem. All islands have slender roads, harmful site visitors and frequent tropical downpours. Lengthy-distance biking is greatest executed with a tour group, however for those who’re adventurous and in fine condition, it may be executed by yourself. Hawaiʻi, the Large Island, is the hardest but additionally hottest vacation spot for cycle touring.
Vacationer resort areas and specialty bicycle outlets lease seaside cruisers, hybrid fashions and infrequently high-end highway and mountain bikes. Rental charges common $20 to $45 per day (double that for high-tech highway or mountain bikes). Ask about multi-day and weekly reductions. Some lodges and resorts lease or mortgage bicycles to company, and public bike-sharing packages have popped up across the islands, particularly in Honolulu. State regulation requires all cyclists beneath the age of 16 to put on helmets.
Many island buses are outfitted with bicycle racks. Let the motive force know earlier than loading your bicycle on or off the rack. If the bicycle rack is already full, you might have to attend till the following bus comes alongside, which may be problematic past Oʻahu due to restricted schedules.
The Hawaii Division of Transportation gives glorious online cycling maps for Oʻahu.
Accessible journey in Hawaii
Sidewalks and curbs in Hawaii have ramps and cuts for simple wheelchair entry, and some beaches have ramps across the sand to the water. Public buses are accessible. Main automotive rental corporations have accessible automobiles accessible.
In case you have a incapacity parking placard from residence, carry it with you so you need to use accessible parking spots in Hawaii.
Information and repair canines usually are not topic to the identical quarantine necessities as different pets, though there are nonetheless important regulations to contemplate. Hawaii’s Division of Well being gives useful information for guests with accessibility wants. For extra accessible journey data download Lonely Planet’s free ebook.
Why I really like strolling in Hawaii
Hawaii is famend for its many and different mountaineering trails, however simply strolling round in in style areas can be a number of enjoyable. Waikiki and Honolulu are deeply attention-grabbing locations which are greatest appreciated at avenue stage, the place each block might yield a delight or shock. You’ll be able to simply stroll wherever from Diamond Head to Pearl Harbor.
Resort areas akin to Kaanapali on Maui usually have beautiful seaside walks linking lodges and parks, and there’s no different strategy to expertise the charms of Lahaina on Maui and Hilo on the Large Island than on foot.
