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Cheap Flights to Hawaii: How to Book and When to Go
Flights are the biggest Hawaii travel expense. This guide covers the best times to book, which airlines to consider, which airports to fly into, and how to find the best fares.
Flights to Hawaii are the single largest expense for most mainland visitors, often running $400-$900 per person round trip depending on origin city and timing. The difference between a cheap fare and an expensive one on the same route can be hundreds of dollars per person, and the timing of when you book and when you fly are the two variables most within your control.
Hawaii airports
Hawaii has four main airports receiving direct flights from the mainland. Honolulu International (HNL) on Oʻahu is the largest hub, with direct flights from the most mainland cities and the most carriers. Kahului Airport (OGG) on Maui receives direct mainland flights from many West Coast and some East Coast cities; flying direct to Maui avoids a Honolulu connection and layover. Kona International (KOA) on the Big Island's west coast and Hilo International (ITO) on the east coast receive fewer direct mainland flights but are served by several carriers. Līhuʻe Airport (LIH) on Kauaʻi has limited direct mainland service; many visitors connect through Honolulu.
When and how to book
Book 2-4 months ahead for shoulder season (April-May, September-November) and 4-6 months ahead for peak periods (June-August, Thanksgiving week, Christmas-New Year). The Tuesday-Thursday window has historically shown lower prices on some routes, though this pattern has become less consistent. Set fare alerts on Google Flights for your specific route and dates: when a fare drops to an acceptable level, it is worth booking immediately rather than waiting for it to drop further.
The cheapest months to fly to Hawaii are typically May, September, and October. The most expensive are mid-June through August and the Christmas-New Year window. The specific cheapest day to fly varies by route, but flying out on a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Saturday and returning on a Tuesday or Wednesday typically costs less than peak weekend travel.
Airlines flying to Hawaii
Hawaiian Airlines operates the most Hawaii routes, with the most flights between the islands and the mainland. They typically offer competitive pricing on inter-island connections. United Airlines has a strong presence from the West Coast and hub cities. Southwest Airlines expanded to Hawaii in 2019 and has brought competitive pricing, particularly from California cities, with no checked bag fees. Delta, American, and Alaska Airlines all operate routes to Hawaii from their respective hub networks.
Flight tips
Use Google Flights' calendar view to identify the lowest-fare dates in your travel window. Consider flying to a different island than your primary destination and picking up a cheap inter-island flight; sometimes flying to Honolulu and connecting is cheaper than flying direct to Maui. Inter-island flights on Hawaiian Airlines and Southwest run $50-$120 one-way and take 20-45 minutes. Always check current fare rules before booking basic economy: baggage fees can turn a "cheap" fare into an expensive one. For the full travel planning context, see getting to Hawaii.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest time to fly to Hawaii?
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We research each guide against primary sources: the Hawaii Tourism Authority and Mālama Hawaii, the National Park Service, the State of Hawaii and its Division of State Parks, the National Weather Service, and the U.S. Census. For culture, language, and history we lean on the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the Bishop Museum, and the scholarship of Mary Kawena Pukui. We send readers to those sources rather than speaking over them. When rules, prices, or conditions change, we update the page.