If you’re flying to Hawaii, the most remote archipelago in the world, why limit your trip to just one island? Enter: island hopping.
Of the eight main Hawaiian islands – out of a total of 137 – people are allowed to visit six of them:
- Hawaii Island
- Kauai
- Lanai
- Maui
- Molokai
- Oahu
Getting Between Islands
Unless you’re on a cruise touring the Hawaiian islands, the main mode of transportation between islands is by commercial airplane. (There is a ferry between Lanai and Maui, which costs adults $30 for one way.)
Flight times between the islands are relatively short – usually less than an hour and sometimes as quick as 34 minutes, such as the Honolulu, Oahu, to Lihue, Kauai, route. Most are direct too, except for the route between Lihue and Hilo on Hawaii Island, which requires a stop in Honolulu.
Flights are plentiful between the four main island airports:
- Hawaii Island (Kona International Airport and Hilo International Airport)
- Kauai (Lihue Airport)
- Maui (Kahului Airport is the main airport, although there is also Hana Airport)
- Oahu (Honolulu International Airport)
Starting around 5 or 6 a.m. local time, interisland flights are scheduled at least once an hour until the last flight at around 8 or 9 p.m., on either Hawaiian Airlines or Southwest Airlines.
- Hawaiian Airlines offers the most flights – 16 directional interisland routes with an average of 140 daily flights between the islands.
- Southwest Airlines currently offers six interisland routes and up to 50 flights a day.
Out of the six islands you can visit, Lanai and Molokai aren’t as accessible and are not served by Hawaiian or Southwest. They also don’t fly to Hana Airport, a smaller airport in east Maui. For those routes, Mokulele Airlines, run by Southern Airways Express, is your only option unless you want to book a private charter. Mokulele flies to Honolulu, Lihue, Molokai, Kahului, Hana, Kona and Lanai.
3 Tips for Island Hoppers
Drawn from “The Conscious Traveller Hawai’i” by Kathleen Wong, published April 21, 2026, by Hardie Grant Explore.
Traveling between islands is a unique experience, and if you’re lucky, you’ll be able to visit a few during your time in Hawaii. Flying is the only way to get between Maui, Kauai, Hawaii Island and Oahu. Doing so is often a quick, smooth process – you’ll see locals flying off to visit family or commuters on another island for the day. Here are some tips on island hopping efficiently.
Board Outside on the Tarmac
At some airports – including Kona International Airport on Hawaii Island – or if you’re flying with Mokulele Airlines, you will board outside on the tarmac. Take your time climbing up those metal stairs or ramps and watch your step, as they can be steep.
Don’t Expect Full Plane Service
Flights between islands are quick, with the journey between Maui and Oahu only taking around 25 minutes, so the major commercial airlines don’t bring out full-service carts. There’s no coffee, snacks or alcoholic beverages, but you’ll be offered water or juice.
Take In the Views
The best part about flying between the Hawaiian Islands is seeing each one from a bird’s-eye view – the sea cliffs, waterfalls and rugged shoreline that development has yet to touch. Make sure you book a window seat.
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