Flights to Honolulu (HNL)

Cheap flights to Honolulu

The capital and largest city of Hawaii, it is also home to the state’s best-known tourist destination, Waikiki. With its laid-back atmosphere and choice of white sandy beaches, it’s easy to see why it’s so popular with tourists.

When to book flights to Honolulu

With near perfect year-round weather, there is no real best time to visit Honolulu. Temperatures rarely drop below 65 and don’t often push much past 90 degrees. But with so many tourists flocking to Hawaii looking for some winter sun, Honolulu can get busy from December through March. Expect flight prices and accommodation rates to be higher at these times.

You might experience some rain during November to March but this is also the humpback whale watching season, so it more than makes up for the odd downpour. The best advice when looking for cheap flights to Honolulu is to book early. As such a tourist hotspot, giving yourself plenty of time always helps you to find the best deals.

How to find the best flight deals to Honolulu

Booking in advance is a great idea. However, you can aleways unearth a great deal on your flight whenever you book with Orbitz.

Try and be flexible about your airport options, using the ‘Nearby Airports’ tool to find flights to and from other air hubs. You’ll find this right underneath the destination boxes.

To really stand the best chance of finding great value flights to Honolulu, be flexible about when you fly. Tick the box marked ‘My Dates Are Flexible’, and you can see deals from a choice of several days.

The ‘Show Options’ filters also let you refine your search to find more suitable flights.

US departures to Honolulu

There are direct flights to Honolulu from other US destinations.

These include:

• Los Angeles to Honolulu – 5 hours 30 minutes
• San Francisco to Honolulu – 5 hours 10 minutes
• Atlanta to Honolulu – 9 hours 10 minutes
• Dallas to Honolulu – 7 hours 55 minutes
• Seattle to Honolulu – 5 hours 20 minutes

Main airports in Honolulu

Daniel K. Inouye International Airport is the main air gateway to the city of Honolulu and amongst the biggest in the US. It serves more than 20 million passengers each year, with a big selection of domestic and international flights. There are also local flights around many of the other Hawaiian Islands.

Public transport options include a choice of bus routes (the 19, 20 and 31) which all stop on the upper departure level of the airport. These will take you to the downtown area, as well as other major destinations including Waikiki and the Ala Moana Center. A new rail transit system is due to open in 2025, connecting the airport to downtown and other points around the island.

Which airlines fly to Honolulu?

Direct Honolulu flights are available from a number of different carriers.

These include:

• Delta
• American Airlines
• Alaska Airlines
• Hawaiian Airlines
• Virgin America

How to get around in Honolulu

If you’re traveling any distance, then getting a rental car is a good option. This lets you explore under your own steam and at your own pace. Driving is relatively easy although roads can be busy in peak tourism season. Speed limits in Oahu are generally lower than in other parts of the US.

The local bus system, known as TheBus, services the city and Waikiki with lines heading out to other major towns around the island. Fares are reasonable, at around $2 for a single journey. In the city, taxis are another good option but harder to find in some of the outlying areas.

What are the must-sees in Honolulu?

Most people think of Honolulu and imagine the beaches. And they certainly are a major draw. The famous Waikiki beach is a highlight with its white sand and choice of hotel options. It’s also a great place to swim, kayak and surf. However, there are plenty of other quieter beaches to the west of downtown. Head to Hanauma Bay, which is set in the crater of a volcano.

Honolulu is also the site of important historical monuments, such as that commemorating Pearl Harbor. And if you’re interested in local history, then check out the Bishop Museum where you can learn a lot about the island’s volcanic past.

Tips for travelling in Honolulu

Make sure you bring plenty of sunscreen as the sun is very hot in Honolulu. And also bring flip-flops for the beach, as the sand can be too hot to walk on. If you’re planning on surfing, be careful as the waves here can be deceptively strong.

It's hard to pick the best time to visit Honolulu since the weather is perfect nearly year-round. So it makes sense that when Old Man Winter has most of the U.S. in his icy grasp (yes, northeast, we’re talking to you), Honolulu is inundated with tourists.
Rarely reaching 90 degrees and never less than 65, you’re almost guaranteed good weather. And if you’re looking for a bit of diversity, take a drive around Oahu and experience the island’s multiple microclimates.

High season runs from mid-December through March, with the hotel rates peaking accordingly. You’ll find the best deals in the spring (mid-April to mid-June) and fall (September to early December), and the smallest crowds.

Swimming in the ocean is a given any time of year, since water temps rarely drop below 77 degrees, even in the winter months. If visiting between November and March, you’ll likely encounter some periods of rain. However, this less-than-perfect weather coincides with the humpback whale migration. The majestic mammals arrive from as far away as Alaska to congregate in Hawaii’s warm waters. Their mating rituals require more activity at the surface, which makes for great viewing.

* Savings based on all holiday package bookings with Flight + Hotel on Orbitz.com from July 1, 2015 to June 30, 2016, as compared to the price of the same components booked separately. Savings will vary based on origin/destination, length of trip, stay dates and selected travel supplier(s). Savings not available on all packages.