A day trip to the Island of Hawaii (the Big Island) starts at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) in Honolulu and lands at Kona International Airport (KOA), at 73-200 Kupipi Street in Kailua-Kona, or at Hilo International Airport (ITO). The island lies about 200 miles (320 km) southeast of Honolulu in Hawaii, United States, and the flight takes about 50-55 minutes. Hawaiian Airlines and Southwest operate many daily flights, with one-way fares of about $60-170, and a rental car (about $60-120 per day) is available at both airports. The honest limitation is scale: the Big Island is larger than all the other main Hawaiian islands combined, so a single day allows only one small area and is impractical for most visitors. An overnight stay is much better. The realistic options are a guided Mauna Kea or volcano tour departing from the airport, or a focused visit to the Kona coast. From KOA, Kailua-Kona town and Kahaluu Beach Park are close for snorkeling and a waterfront lunch, while Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is roughly two hours' drive from Kona and about 45 minutes from Hilo. Hilo has Rainbow Falls and Liliuokalani Gardens, but its weather is rainy year-round. A suggested arc is to take an early flight, pick one target such as the Kona coast or a pre-booked tour, eat lunch locally, and return to the airport well before the evening departure. Because of the early start, long drives and limited margin for delays, the day is demanding, and visitors should confirm tour schedules and park access requirements in advance. Bring layers, since conditions at higher elevations are cold.
| Distance | About 200 miles (320 km) southeast of Honolulu by air |
|---|---|
| Travel time | About 50-55 minutes by flight, plus transfers (impractical for most visitors) |
| Difficulty | hard |
| Address | Kona International Airport, 73-200 Kupipi St, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740 |
How to get there
- Mode
- Flight
- Cost
- About $60-170 one way
- Frequency
- Many daily flights
- Operator
- Hawaiian Airlines (hawaiianairlines.com) or Southwest (southwest.com)
- Departure point
- Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL)
- Mode
- Rental car
- Cost
- About $60-120 per day
- Frequency
- On demand
- Operator
- Enterprise, Hertz or Avis
- Departure point
- Kona International Airport (KOA) or Hilo International Airport (ITO)
Location
Kona International Airport, 73-200 Kupipi St, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
19.7388, -156.0456 View on map
Highlights
- Snorkel at Kahaluu Beach Park near Kailua-Kona
- Join a guided Mauna Kea or volcano tour from the airport
- Visit Rainbow Falls and Liliuokalani Gardens in Hilo
- Stroll the Kailua-Kona waterfront
- Experience the short 50-55 minute inter-island flight
Tips for visiting
- Pick one small area; the island is too large for a full tour in a day.
- Book a guided Mauna Kea or volcano tour ahead of time.
- Choose KOA for the Kona coast or ITO for Hilo and the volcano side.
- Allow ample buffer before the return flight, since drives are long.
- Pack layers for cold, high-elevation conditions.
- Consider an overnight stay for a more realistic visit.
When to visit
Year-round, though Hilo is rainy; the Kona side is drier. Book the earliest outbound flight and a late return.
Accessibility
Airports and rental facilities are accessible. Beach and park access varies by site; confirm specifics with the operator or park before the trip.
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Frequently asked questions
Can the Big Island be done in one day from Honolulu?
Only one small area is feasible, and it is impractical for most visitors. An overnight stay is strongly preferable.
How long is the flight?
About 50-55 minutes to Kona or Hilo, plus transfers.
Which airport should visitors choose?
Kona (KOA) suits the western coast, while Hilo (ITO) suits Hilo town and the volcano side. Hilo is rainy.
How much do flights cost?
One-way fares are about $60-170 on Hawaiian Airlines or Southwest.