The cheapest way to fly way to Hawaii starts with the cheapest way to get to LAX. Then, you can start thinking about the best way to get to Hawaii. Or, with Hawaiian Airlines, you just might get a good deal on a non-stop flight from somewhere else.
The best and cheapest way to fly to Hawaii is to sit down three to five months in advance and book a flight from Los Angeles to Honolulu in February or September. The cheapest flights are typically from LAX to HNL.
Flying into the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu is not as overwhelming as you might think, though it is Hawaii’s major airport. Starting your trip on the island of Oahu puts you in a good position to explore the other islands if you’d like. Plus, you’re probably going to find the cheapest, best flights from the west coast to Honolulu.
What is the Cheapest Month to Fly to Hawaii?
The best month to travel to Hawaii depends on what you want to do there, especially if whale watching is included. If the best month, for you, is the cheapest and least crowded, you can pay attention to high and low seasons.
The Cheapest Times of the Year to Fly to Hawaii
Because of the U.S. school year, June and December tend to be the most popular vacation months, as Hawaii is one of the most popular vacation destinations. High season for Hawaii travel lasts until August. Prices drop through November and then increase for the next high season in December, which is the most popular month to travel to Hawaii.
So, the cheaper months are January, February, September, and October. Since January tails December, the most popular month, it’s still going to be a little higher than February. And, since November is almost as popular as December, October is a little higher than September. That means the cheapest months to shoot for are September and February.
Beyond price, figuring the best month for your trip depends on what you want to do there. For example, you will need to be very careful planning when to go if you want to see whales. You will also want to get specific about dates if you plan to go surfing.
The Best Months to Fly to Hawaii, Based on Your Itinerary
If you’re not just interested the cheapest months to fly to Hawaii, here’s a list the best months for different activities or desires:
- Whale Watching in Maui: November-May
- Surfing the North Shore in Oahu: November-April
- Major surfing events: November and December
- Optimal weather: April, May, September, and October
- Major golf events: January
- Major Hawaiian festival: April-May, though there’s a festival for almost every month
February might be the best month to go to Hawaii, though it isn’t an optimal month in terms of temperature. It’s a good option because it’s cheap, the whales should still be there, and the waves are still killer. You should be able to get similar benefits in November, March, and April.
April might be the best month if you’re not as interested in saving the most money possible. It’s toward the high season, but it isn’t nearly as high as May, June, or July. It’s a great choice for a family vacation with plenty of snorkeling, surfing, and whale-watching. It’s also a great month in terms of weather and festivals.
Where to Fly to into Hawaii is the Cheapest?
The Daniel K. Inouye International Airport is probably going to be the cheapest option, but there are others worth considering. The most comparable choice is going to be the Kahului Airport in Maui, and it might even be the better deal depending on where you’re coming from.
It’s always worth checking into all of your options and being as flexible as you can. No matter which airport you’re looking at, remember that February is going to be a cheap month and December is going to be pricey. If you want to see multiple islands, make sure you’re comparing intra-island airlines when you’re looking at specific airports to choose from.
Whichever island you choose, you can be sure there are still some of the best Airbnbs in Hawaii!
How Can I Earn Money in a Day?
Looking for an immediate source of income? Taking online surveys is likely your best bet, as you can make money right away. Donating plasma is another great option, as you get paid per donation. Though it takes some planning, having a yard sale can earn a large sum of money in a single day as well. There are plenty side hustles to make money for travel.
How Many Days Do You Need in Hawaii?
One might simply say you need as many days as you can afford in Hawaii. A general recommendation is about 10 days. You will want to be there for more than a weekend getaway, simply because of the travel time. If you can manage it, 14 days in Hawaii is optimal for a multi-island visit.
Here are some basic length recommendations based on the number of activities you want to do and how many islands you want to see:
- A single island trip with snorkeling, hiking, and beach activities: 6 nights
- A single island trip with snorkeling, hiking and camping: 7-10 nights
- A multi-island trip, visiting 2 islands: 7-10 nights
- A multi-island trip, visiting 3 islands: 10-14 nights
For a typical family vacation, you’ll want a minimum of 6 nights and ideally up to 10 days. If you want go camping, you might consider increasing your trip duration significantly. The same goes if you want to see more than one island. Just make sure you have time to do most of the activities on this list of things to do in Hawaii!
What is the Most Comfortable Airline to Fly to Hawaii?
Hawaiian Airlines is the most highly regarded airline for flying to Hawaii. It is the quintessential way to get to and the islands. They’ve been doing it forever, and it’s simply what they do. Other airlines have other main focuses, but you can count on Hawaiian airlines to give you the full effect you’re looking for when you picture yourself headed to Hawaii.
On the other hand, comfort doesn’t always come down to the airline. Sometimes, it comes down to the aircraft. One could argue that Alaska Airlines is the most comfortable airline to go with to fly to Hawaii. The reason is the maximum comfort level that the Alaska Airbus A320 offers at the economy class.
Hawaiian Airlines has a new fleet featuring the Airbus A321neo, which is smaller than the A320, but does have some comfortable features, including leather recliners for premium passengers. The major appeal for Hawaiian Airlines, however, is getting a non-stop flight. Their mission is to offer the most non-stop options to the most islands.
Embark on the ultimate luxury experience by discovering the perks and amenities of flying first class to Hawaii in our comprehensive guide.
What is the Cheapest Hawaii Island to Visit?
Though most families go to Maui for their first Hawaiian vacation, the cheapest Hawaii Island to visit is Oahu. Oahu is home to Waikiki Beach and the famous North Shore. It’s also home to Pearl Harbor and the Dole Pineapple Plantation. The reason it’s the cheapest is that it houses the largest city, Honolulu, with the most resort options.
Known as the heart of Hawaii, Oahu has a vast amount to offer in addition to being the most affordable island to visit. The reason it has a lot to offer is the same reason it is the cheapest. Honolulu is the largest and most urban location in Hawaii. That means Honolulu has all of the following unique features:
- Hotels, hostels, and resorts by the dozen
- The largest airport in Hawaii
- Everything you need in a concentrated area
- Popular beaches with surf instructors waiting to teach you
- Opulent shopping
- More restaurants than any other island
- Cruise ports
Honolulu is like the New York City of Hawaii. If you wanted to, you could make it the most expensive island to visit. But, because it has the most options, it is essentially the most affordable. You are also more likely to find cheaper vacation packages if you’re willing to at least start your vacation in Oahu. You can even get an Airbnb Hawaii on Oahu!
The Cheapest Places to Stay in Oahu
Looking for the cheapest places to stay in Oahu, try staying at hostels, but if you would rather, there are plenty of affordable hotels as well. And, you don’t have to go far from the action to save money. Here are some options if you want to stay right on Waikiki beach, and spend your money on surf lessons instead of lodging:
Lodging can get even cheaper if you’re willing to stay near the North Shore instead of Waikiki. Kalani Hawaii Private Lodging, for example, has wildly affordable dorm options. It’s rated very highly on TripAdvisor, and offers a lot of amenities you would not expect to come with the price. And, if you’re willing to spend a bit more, they have houses you can stay in at surprisingly affordable rates. While Airbnb experiences in Hawaii might not be the cheapest things, they sure are worth checking out!
(For more ideas on how to travel on a budget, check out this article!)
When Should I Buy Plane Tickets to Hawaii?
You should buy plane tickets to Hawaii at least 3 months in advance, first of all. Second, you should consider Hawaii’s high and low seasons. The most popular month to go to Hawaii is December because it’s a popular winter holiday option. The next most popular month is June because it’s also a popular summer vacation.
Not long after December, flight prices start going down. They go down by January and stay down through April, with February being the cheapest month next to September. That means that if you’re after the cheapest flights, you should book your plane tickets to Hawaii one of the following ways:
- Buy tickets by July for a September trip to Hawaii.
- Buy tickets by August for an October trip to Hawaii.
- Buy tickets by September for a January trip to Hawaii.
- Buy tickets by November for a February trip to Hawaii.
Basically, you want find the sweet spot for booking far enough in advance for the less popular months. It is worth mentioning that the cheapest months might not be the best months for your trips.
(If you enjoyed your trip to Hawaii, you’ll love Bali! Check out the Bali travel guide for everything you need to know about booking your next vacation!)