Island Hopping Sample
Itineraries
 It's an exciting time to visit the Big Island with the Kilauea Volcano providing never-before-seen exciting lava views in two separate areas! Make sure to visit our favorite & definitely the most unique & most eco-friendly accommodation in all of Hawaii - Lova Lava Land Eco-Resort!
Currently, there are 2 options for island hopping: 1) Flying or 2) Ferry service that has a limited schedule between Oahu, Maui, & Kauai (with service slated to start to the Big Island in 2009).
A Few Notes about Interisland Flights:
  You
can buy interisland tickets from Hawaiian Airlines or GO! Airlines (Aloha just went out of business in 2008 and Go! is bankrupt, and may stop operations at any time (so be wary of buying tickets). Their online booking engines work great and travel
agents will rarely be able to beat the lower fares on their websites (although
if the lower fares are taken, consider changing your schedule or checking
around more - the websites will help you find days and times that offer the lowest fare).
Expect
to pay around $49-$90 + taxes & surcharges for a one way ticket. (Round trip tickets are not cheaper.)
*With the recent increase in oil prices & more airlines going out of business, prices are somewhat unstable and who knows what will happen next. We try to book as soon as we know our dates due to the current unstable nature of the industry.
Interisland
flights run surprisingly often, usually once an hour although late night
flights are not possible. In many cases, but not always, stops in Honolulu are
required. To save time, try to avoid the Honolulu stop if you are not stopping on the island of Oahu anyway. Yet, be aware the flights with no Honolulu stopover usually book up faster.
Be aware that flights to Molokai and Lanai, the two least visited islands, run less frequently.
Island Hopping Suggested Itineraries - First Time Trip to
Hawaii:
1. 3 days Oahu + 4-5 days Maui = 7-8
days
2. 3 days Oahu + 4 days Maui + 4 days
Kauai or Big Island = 11 days
3. 3 days Oahu + 3 days Kauai + 4
days Maui + 5 days Big Island = 15 days
Island Hopping Suggested Itineraries - Returning Trip to
Hawaii:
1. 3 days Kauai + 5 days Maui (including 1-2 day trip to Lanai or Molokai from Maui) = 8 days
2. 3 days Big Island + 5 days Maui (including 1-2 day trip to Lanai or Molokai from Maui) = 8 days
3. 2 days Lanai + 2-3 days Molokai +
5 days Big Island = 9-10 days
4. 3 days Kauai + 3 days Molokai + 6
days Big Island = 12 days
5. 3 days Kauai + 3 days Maui + 3
days Molokai + 5 days Big Island = 14 days
Transportation Around the Islands - Helpful Hints
|
|
| Oahu - Honolulu |
Maui - Kahului |
| Kauai - Lihue |
Big Island - Kona & Hilo |
| Lanai - Lanai City |
Molokai - Molokai & Kalaupapa Peninsula |
*There are several smaller commuter airports on several islands
but it is highly unlikely that these are cheaper or more convenient for the
traveler unless you have a very specific and time sensitive itinerary. These
are not mentioned here.
There
is a ferry from Lahaina, Maui to Lanai through Expeditions Lahaina-Lanai Ferry
(808-661-3756).
There
is a ferry + van tour or car rental to Molokai from Maui via Maui Princess
(808-667-6165).
There
are some smaller airlines servicing Molokai & Lanai (Island Air, Pacific
Wings, Paragon Air, & Molokai Air Shuttle; check for current operational
status & availability).
Car rental is cheap, abundant, easy, and highly recommended while island hopping. Only Oahu has a comprehensive public bus transportation system. Taxis are available on most islands but are not necessarily cheap, easy, or reliable. Some hostels/hotels offer airport pick-up services but then without a car your freedom to explore, buy your own food, and create your own free tours, will be limited.
A new inter-island ferry service, called Hawaii Superferry, began in 2007. Service has been somewhat unreliable and controversial. But try it out if you are flexible and prefer a nice ocean voyage to crowded airplanes. Sometimes their prices are cheaper than the airlines. |