Hawaii Island Hopping (2026): Flights, Ferries, & Costs

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One of our hot Hawaii tips is not to visit three or four islands on your first trip. But we fail at our own advice. As recently as August, 2026, we overdid our Hawaii island hopping with three islands in 14 days. I’m afraid there is only one ferry in Hawaii, and that is between Maui and Lana‘i.

Our Hawaii vacations are meant to be experiences we can share, so we pack a lot in. For visitors, we recommend taking more time to enjoy the islands. If you’re staying more than 7 days in Hawaii, consider island hopping.

Island hopping in Hawaii is still a domestic flight. With hotels, travel to/from the airport, rental cars, a 2-hour pre-arrival, and flight time, you’re looking at a five-hour travel day when you hop islands. With that said, flying is your cheapest and fastest option.

Jordan and I lived on Oahu and Maui; now we travel back multiple times a year. We know our stuff when it comes to hopping the Hawaiian Islands. In this guide, we’ll share our tips, island-hopping routes, prices, videos, airport guides, and more. If you have questions, email us anytime; we are here to help. Contact Us.

Our Quick Tips for Hawaii Island Hopping

Here are our favorite Hawaii island hopping tips from our experience, our readers’ feedback, and the data.

Transferring at Honolulu Airport: Daniel K. Inouye Airport (Honolulu International Airport) is Hawaii’s largest airport, but it is still easy to get around. If you’re transferring for an inter-island flight, plan to walk 5 to 20 minutes between gates. You can hop on the WikiWiki Shuttle if you need to get from the Diamond Head Concourse to Terminal 1 for a Hawaiian Airlines Inter-Island flight, the furthest distance.

How Jordan and I Book Our Hawaii Inter-Island Flights

1. We book our mainland flights with a round-trip ticket, for example, on United Airlines. Sometimes, we might fly into Honolulu (HNL) and out of Kona (KOA) on a multi-city ticket or open-jaw ticket.
2. We book our inter-island flights separately from our mainland ticket.
3. For our inter-island tickets, we open two tabs in our browser. Go to Hawaiian Airlines and Southwest Airlines.
4. We search for the cheapest ticket and the best day and time based on our itinerary. We prefer non-stops between islands, so Hawaiian Airlines usually wins. Unless Southwest is far cheaper.
5. We usually book inter-island tickets as one-way tickets, as we have a multi-city mainland flight ticket.

Open Jaw Ticket: For the Big Island, we like to fly into Kona (KOA) and fly out of Hilo (ITO) to another island. This makes for an efficient way to visit Volcanoes National Park and then hop to another island.

In Hawaii, Oahu is considered the main island, and the other islands are neighbor islands (Maui, Kauai, and Hawaii). Not neighboring, neighbor islands—a bit of Hawaiian pidgin.

What to Know About Inter-Island Airlines

• Southwest and Hawaiian Airlines are the two main airlines for island hopping. Both have the most routes between the islands, leave from the major Hawaii airports, and offer the lowest cost.
• The biggest drawback of choosing Southwest over Hawaiian is that Southwest has fewer direct flights than Hawaiian. It offers few, if any, direct flights between neighboring islands. For a flight from Kona Airport (KOA) to Kauai (LIH), you will need to layover in HNL. For example, Maui to Kona has one non-stop flight a day, or you can layover in HNL on their other flights that day.
• Use your Southwest or Atmos (Hawaiian/Alaska) credit cards and loyalty program to get free checked bags and other perks.
• Mokulele Airlines flies a fleet of turboprops, focusing on Molokai and airports on Oahu, Maui, Lanai, and Hawaii Island.

Prices and When to Book

• All-In Price: Both are competitive, but Southwest is the cheapest per ticket based on 4th quarter 2026 stated fares. It beats Hawaiian on holiday and weekend tickets.
• In late 2026, fares more than three weeks out can be as low as $75 one-way on weekdays and $85 to $95 on Fridays and Sundays. Before three weeks, expect to pay $110 to $155 for tickets, plus fees and baggage.
• Baggage fees are the same for Hawaiian Airlines, Southwest, and Mokulele Airlines for inter-island flights: The 1st checked bag is $30, and the 2nd checked bag is $40 (Source: Southwest fees & Hawaiian fees). We miss surfboards fly free for Southwest!
• Lana‘i Air ($169 per ticket) flies from Oahu to Molokai and Lanai.
• Mokulele Airlines flights cost $99 to $245 per ticket, but they’re a lot of fun. They fly small, propeller planes from the smaller airports, like Kapalua Airport on Maui. It feels like a private charter: you enter the airport away from the main commercial flights and walk onto the runway.
• Book early! Once you know your island-hopping itinerary, book those flights. Ticket prices are highest within three weeks out because of dynamic pricing. While further out, you will find more standard prices.
• Booking early will also give you the most flight options per day at the best price.
• Avoid higher-priced Friday and Sunday fares: The lowest-priced tickets are on Monday through Thursday, and Saturday.
• Total door-to-door time, including the rental car return. A 45-minute flight is a five-hour errand.

What Side of the Plane to Sit for Inter-Island Flights?

I love a good view on landing. Seeing the islands from above is a bonus with island hopping. The approach direction is pretty consistent, so you can choose seats for the best view.

Here are my tips on what side of the plane you should sit for inter-island flights to get the best views when you land.

When flying into X airport, you should sit…

• Hilo Airport: Starboard side (right side) for views of the Hamakua Coast and Hilo Town
• Kona Airport: Port side (left side) for views of the lava field and volcanoes
• Lihu‘e Airport (Kaua‘i): Port side for dramatic cliff views and Nawiliwili Harbor
• Honolulu International Airport (Oahu): Port side for Ko Olina lagoons and Pearl Harbor
• Kahului Airport (Maui): Port or starboard sides as most flights fly through the central valley. Port side is the West Maui Mountains, and starboard will be Haleakala.

Helpful articles for Hawaii Island Hoppers:

• First Timers Guide to Hawaii: Plan Your Trip Like a Pro
• Last-Minute Trip to Hawaii: 15 Minutes to Book & Save
• Your First Time in Hawaii Itinerary (10 days with island hopping)
• You only want to do a day trip to another island? See our 10 inter-island day tours we’d book.

The Best Hawaii Island Pairings for Island Hopping

You can mix and match any Hawaiian Islands. Each island has its own vibe, culture, and must-do attractions. The most popular pairings are Oahu with the Big Island or Kauai.

We don’t recommend visiting all four islands on a 14-day trip. A Hawaii Vacation Guide newsletter reader did this exhausting trip and shared it here: How to Visit Multiple Hawaiian Islands in Two Weeks – Itinerary Included!

Our international friends, for example, may visit from Europe for four weeks. In that event, visit all four major islands and Molokai and Lana‘i!

Some first-time visitors can’t decide which island to visit, so they choose all four major Hawaiian Islands. I’m not one to argue with that idea. If you want to narrow down which island to visit, read the following articles before you book inter-island flights.

• Quiz! Take Our Which Hawaiian Island to Visit Quiz
• Which Hawaiian Island to Visit? Your First Decision
• Planning a Trip to Hawaii: 15 Steps to Save You Time

Best Hawaiian Islands to Pair

We think these Hawaiian Island pairings offer a varied experience. You can get a bit of adventure with luxury resorts, or excellent hiking with quiet beaches.

Oahu, home to Honolulu and Waikiki Beach, is the most visited Hawaiian Island. In July 2026, peak summer season, Hawaii had 883,248 visitors according to the Hawaii Tourism Authority. Oahu received 43 percent of all Hawaii travelers. So, most people visit Oahu and fly to a neighbor island. That is a great way to see Hawaii! My recommendations will skew to that logic.

See what speaks to you for your Hawaii island-hopping pairing. Click the links to find our island comparison articles. They are a great reference for highlights and what to expect on each island.

• Oahu and Maui – the two most visited islands, with the best beaches and things to do.
• Oahu and Kauai – the Manhattan of the Pacific paired with the Garden Isle, least visited and most wild.
• Maui and Kauai – our two favorites! Culture, history, volcanoes, the Napali Coast, Road to Hana, and two very different islands.
• Oahu and the Big Island – the most populated island paired with the largest island by far; you can have fun in Waikiki and then hike on a lava lake on the Big Island.

I would not recommend visiting Molokai if you’re a first-time visitor to Hawaii. The ferry service to Molokai stopped operations in 2016. Two small airlines fly to the island with limited routes. We share details on visiting Molokai here: Visiting Molokai: Our Take on the Least Touristy Island.

Is Hopping Islands in Hawaii Popular?

Yes, many visitors decide to visit multiple islands during their vacation. In fact, 35 percent of tourists visited at least two islands during their Hawaii vacation so far in 2026.

Most visitors pair an island with Kauai or the Big Island. 44 percent of Big Island visitors and 40 percent of Kauai visitors also visited another island. Most likely, this is Oahu visitors hopping islands to Kauai or Hawai’i Island.

Minimum Number of Days on Each Island

When island hopping in Hawaii. our recommended minimum number of days on each island is 3 days on Kauai, 4 days on Oahu and the Big Island, and 5 days on Maui.

This is a contentious opinion. We lived on Maui for three years and kept finding new and fun things to do. But to do the must-do activities and still have a bit of time to relax, here are the minimum number of days on each Hawaiian Island, in our opinion.

• Maui with Haleakala National Park and the Road to Hana requires 5 days minimum.
• Oahu with Pearl Harbor and the North Shore requires 4 days minimum
• Kauai with Hanalei Town and the Napali Coast requires 3 days minimum
• The Island of Hawai’i (Big Island) with Volcanoes and Manta Ray Night Snorkeling requires 4 days minimum

The average visitor to Hawaii stayed for 7.59 days in July 2026, down from 8.47 days in July 2025 (Source: Hawaii Tourism Authority). For us, 7.59 days is a short trip to Hawaii! You probably shouldn’t island-hop if you’re staying that long.

If you’re coming from the East Coast or it is your first time visiting, you may want to plan a 10- to 14-day trip to make it worth the flight and the cost. Then, Hawaiian island hopping is for you!

55 percent of Hawaii visitors are from the West Coast and are return visitors, so they stay for a shorter period and probably have their favorite island to visit.

Cheapest Way to Travel Between the Hawaiian Islands

The cheapest way to travel between the Hawaiian Islands is to fly. You can find inter-island flights for as little as $69 each way if you book three weeks or more in advance and fly on Monday through Thursday, and Saturday on Southwest and Hawaiian Airlines. The airlines price-match checked baggage fees.

Southwest and Hawaiian Airlines offer the cheapest flights between the Hawaiian Islands. They price match on their basic fares and even on most higher-ticket classes, based on 4th quarter 2026 stated fares. Southwest Airlines fares are cheaper on holidays and weekend tickets.

The most expensive way to island-hop is an inter-island guided tour. They start at $550 per person and take away all the stress of flights, transportation, driving, and visiting the best locations. We loved our Maui-to-Oahu tour for a day trip to Pearl Harbor. We list 10 inter-island tours here.

Hawaii Island Hopping Video Guide

Island hopping in Hawaii is easier than most people think. After watching our video below, you’ll feel confident booking those inter-island flights.

Jordan and I share eight tips for a smooth island hopping experience. After going on dozens of inter-island flights, ferry rides, and an island day trip guided tour, we have learned a lot about what to do and what not to do. We filmed this video while on an inter-island trip from Maui to Kauai!

How to Travel Between Islands in Hawaii

If you’re looking to island-hop in Hawaii, you have four ways to hop. Most visitors fly between the Hawaiian Islands as it is the fastest option. Taking a cruise is popular with about 10,000 visitors a month (source: HTA). A ferry is only possible between Maui and Lana‘i. You can also book an inter-island day trip with a local guide.

99 percent of the time, we fly between the islands. We will focus on how to fly between the Hawaiian Islands, as this is where you can save money and time.

Flying between the Hawaiian Islands is the most popular and fastest way to travel. As of 2026, four commercial airlines operate in Hawaii. Hawaiian Airlines and Southwest are the two main options. They have the most routes and the cheapest tickets.

When I book our inter-island tickets, I will choose the most convenient route at the best price. While we earn points with both airlines, we don’t have status or credit cards with either right now.

But we do enjoy flying Hawaiian Airlines the most! We love the Hawaii vibe and getting served Passion Orange Guava on the flight, an old tradition. Our family enjoys the experience with Hawaiian Airlines.

Hawaiian Airlines (Alaska Airlines)

The largest operator of flights to and from Hawaii, Hawaiian Airlines covers the inter-island routes. Hawaiian Airlines offers more non-stop flights daily between the neighbor islands.

Hawaiian Airlines became part of Alaska Air Group on September 18, 2024. The two moved onto one passenger service system in April 2026, when every flight began carrying the AS code. HawaiianMiles members have been transferred to Atmos Rewards.

From Honolulu Airport (HNL), flights depart to the neighbor islands about every hour. Between neighbor islands, flights may depart every two hours.

Hawaiian Airlines flies into the major airports on each island: Honolulu, Oahu (HNL); Kahului, Maui (OGG); Lihue, Kauai (LIH); Kona, Hawaii (KOA); and Hilo, Hawaii (ITO).

Ticket classes are Saver, Main, Premium, and First (Recliner). Saver to Main usually costs $20 more and includes seat choice, Atmos reward benefits, and unlimited flight changes (including same-day). Premium includes 4″ extra legroom and priority boarding, and may cost $29 more than Main.

Hawaiian Airlines flies an aging fleet of 717s. They plan to retire the fleet and switch to 737-800s starting in 2028.

Explore Hawaiian Airlines’ 2026 Optional Service Fees, including baggage fees.

Baggage fees and fine print on the fare rules for Hawaiian Airlines:

• The 1st checked bag is $30 (up to 50 lbs), and the 2nd checked bag is $40. Checked bags are cheaper than mainland flights with Hawaiian and Alaska.
• Free checked bags are available for Atmos Rewards Visa flight purchases, Atmos status holders, residents of Alaska and Hawaii, and first class tickets.
• Saver fares cannot choose seats. Seats will be assigned at check-in.
• Passengers are allowed one carry-on and one personal item. Overhead bin space is first come, first served.
• Status members do not receive preferred seating benefits. On all fares, including Saver, status members receive baggage allowances, check-in benefits, and priority boarding.
• They have a 24-hour cancellation and same-day confirmed policies for all fares. If canceled at least 14 days before departure of the first flight on the ticket, Saver fares are eligible for a credit of 50% of the ticket value. Otherwise, Saver fares may not be changed or canceled.

Southwest Airlines Inter-Island Flights

Southwest keeps prices competitive with Hawaiian Airlines, helping to reduce costs for island-hopping visitors.

Southwest’s two famous differentiators are gone. The airline ended Bags Fly Free in May 2025, and its new seating and boarding policy took effect on January 27, 2026, officially ending Southwest’s no-assigned-seats policy.

Southwest’s inter-island flights are at the major airports on each island: Honolulu, Oahu (HNL), Kahului, Maui (OGG), Lihue, Kauai (LIH), Kona, Hawaii (KOA), and Hilo, Hawaii (ITO).

From Honolulu Airport (HNL), flights depart to Maui every two to three hours. They offer fewer flights to Kauai and Kona, about five non-stops a day.

Between neighbor islands, they have eight flights a day with a layover in Honolulu. Southwest may offer one non-stop a day, like Kona to Maui.

Ticket classes are Basic, Choice, Choice Preferred, and Choice Extra. Basic to Choice usually costs $20 more and includes seat choice, general boarding, 12-month transferable credit, and changes allowed. Choice Preferred includes preferred seating, Group 3-4 boarding, refundable, and may cost $40 more than Choice.

Explore Southwest Airlines’ 2026 Travel Fees, including inter-island rates and baggage fees.

Baggage fees and fine print on the fare rules for Southwest Airlines:

• The 1st checked bag is $30, and the 2nd checked bag is $40. Checked bags are cheaper than mainland flights with Southwest.
• Free checked bags are available for Rapid Rewards flight purchases, Rapid Rewards A-list status holders, Hawaii residents, and Choice Extra class tickets.
• Basic fares cannot choose seats. Seats will be assigned at check-in.
• Passengers are allowed one carry-on and one personal item. Overhead bin space is first come, first served.
• No cancellation fees! All fare types are eligible for cancellations without a fee. 
• 100% of your ticket will be refunded if you cancel at least 10 minutes before your scheduled departure.

Mokulele Airlines

Mokulele Airlines operates small, turboprop planes that fly from the main airports as well as smaller airports on the islands.

On the Big Island, it flies out of Hilo (ITO) and Kona (KOA) as well as Waimea-Kohala Airport (MUE). And on Maui, it flies out of Kahului (OGG), Kapalua (JHM), and Hana Airport (HNM). On Oahu, it flies out of Terminal 3 at Honolulu International Airport (HNL). Mokulele Airlines does not fly to Kauai’s Lihue Airport (LIH), or any Kauai Airport.

Mokulele Airlines and Lanai Air are the only airlines that fly to Molokai Airport (MKK) and Lana‘i Airport (LNY).

Their fleet of Cessna Grand Caravans flies more than 100 daily flights.

We have never taken the opportunity to fly on Mokulele Airlines, but many of our viewers and readers have raved about it! Here is what sets Mokulele Airlines apart when island hopping:

• Flying feels like a private charter as you enter the airport from a standalone terminal at Honolulu or a special entrance, like at Kahului Airport
• Get amazing views of the islands as they fly at 9,000 feet
• Every passenger gets both aisle access and a window view
• Arrive less than 2 hours before your flight, as TSA and other check-in requirements are shorter. But you must arrive at the station at least 30 minutes before your flight per the airline.
• A local experience. Many commuters and residents of Molokai and Lanai fly with Mokulele.

Mokulele Airline’s Air Fare

Mokulele Airlines costs more than the big commercial carriers. On routes where it’s the only airline, like Kapalua Airport on Maui to Molokai, airfare can be $125 to $245 for a one-way ticket; the average is over $200.

For direct routes that compete with Lana’i Air, airfare is lower. For example, from Honolulu to Molokai or Lana‘i, airfare is usually $99 and up to $149.

Hawaii residents can check bags for free on Mokulele Airlines. That matches the policies of Southwest and Hawaiian.

Passengers are allowed two personal carry-on bags, 15 lbs each. The 1st checked bag is $30, the 2nd checked bag is $40, and the 3rd is $50. Both checked bags have a 50 lbs weight limit.

They offer three ticket classes: Friendly, Freedom, and Freedom Refundable. The difference is mainly whether you can change the ticket and/or get a refund. See Mokulele Airlines’ FAQs for details.

Mokulele Airlines had engine reliability and maintenance issues in 2025. Their fleet was grounded many times, making life hard for Molokai residents. Perhaps it was the threat of a state-sponsored ferry service, but Mokulele Airlines improved its reliability in 2026 and opened many routes. A day trip from Oahu to Molokai is now possible with early morning and evening flights available.

Lāna‘i Air

Lāna‘i Air is a luxury airline service that has two routes: Honolulu to Lāna’i and Honolulu to Moloka’i.

The airline is owned by billionaire Larry Ellison’s parent company. It started as a service for Four Seasons’ guests on Lana‘i. On August 10th, 2026, Lanai Air expanded its service to the island of Molokai.

Lanai Air flies a Cessna SkyCourier 19-seat passenger aircraft. It has an access ramp to make boarding more comfortable, and each seat has phone-charging ports. They also fly a Pilatus PC-12 single-engine turboprop with two pilots.

Lana’i Air’s Air Fare

• Honolulu to Lana’i is $169 one-way. Flights depart every one to two hours, daily
• Honolulu to Molokai is $169 one-way. Flights depart at 6:30 AM, 8:30 AM, 3:00 PM, and 5:00 PM daily

Baggage Policy: Free checked bags for your 1st and 2nd bags on Lana’i Air. A 3rd checked bag will be $25. See here for details on Lanai Air fees.

Hawaii Airport Guides: Video Tours and Map

Click on the interactive map below to explore the location of Hawaii’s airports. This map is missing Hana Airport (HNM).

We share details on Hawaii’s major airports, including an informational video tour of each airport. We even have a new video visiting Hilo Airport!

Click the airport’s hyperlink to visit the official Hawaii website for each airport.

Oahu’s Airport

Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu (HNL) is also called Honolulu International Airport. HNL is the largest airport by far in Hawaii.

It serves as a hub for Hawaiian Airlines and Southwest Airlines. Mokulele Airlines departs from Terminal 3, so allow 20 more minutes if you’re transferring from Terminal 1 or 2 to Terminal 3. While it is a large airport, it is easy to get around.

The iconic airport has been undergoing renovations for the past few years. Expect some construction activities.

Maui‘s Airports

• Kahului Airport (OGG) – main airport for inter-island flights and mainland flights.
• Kapalua Airport (JHM) – a small airport for private flights and Mokulele Airlines’ inter-island flights.
• Hana Airport (HNM) – a small airport for private flights and Mokulele Airlines’ inter-island flights. Road to Hana helicopter tours will also land here.

Hawai’i (Big Island) Airports

• Hilo International Airport (ITO) – this is our favorite airport in Hawaii! The comfortable main lounge with its koa wood chairs, jet bridges, and just all-around great vibes at this little airport near downtown Hilo. In 2026, Hilo Airport was connected to the mainland with a new Las Vegas flight.
• Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport (KOA) – the main airport on the Big Island. This is the airport for most major commercial carriers from the mainland.
• Waimea-Kohala Airport (MUE) – a small airport for private planes and Mokulele Airlines inter-island flights.

Kauai Airport

• Lihue Airport (LIH) – the main commercial airport on Kauai is open-air and small. The airport offers inter-island and mainland flights with major carriers.

Lana’i Airport

• Lana’i Airport (LNY) – the only airport on Lana’i serves private planes and Lana’i Air and Mokulele Airlines. Most passengers for Lana’i Airport are local residents and guests at the two Four Seasons Resorts. Visitors from Maui usually take the ferry to Lanai for the day.

Molokai Airport

• Molokai Airport (MKK) – is located in central Molokai and 15 minutes from the main town of Kaunakakai. The airport is serviced by Lana’i Air and Mokulele Airlines.

Flight Times Between the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii inter-island flights are short. Flights from Oahu are 40 to 58 minutes long with Southwest Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines.

You will hardly have time to watch your free Southwest WiFi entertainment. On a 40-minute hop, boarding and deplaning are most of the experience.

In-air service is minimal on these flights. Hawaiian Airlines passes out juice and water. Southwest sometimes passes out snacks.

To give you an idea of just how quick these flights are, these are some sample times from Honolulu on Southwest Airlines.

From Honolulu Airport (HNL) on Oahu to…
Airport	Flight Time
Kahului (OGG)	40 min
Hilo International Airport (ITO)	58 min
Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport (KOA)	45 min
Lihue Airport (LIH)	45 min

Taking a Ferry Between the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii has one ferry service. The ferry is between Maui and Lanai. Expeditions operates a ferry service for the 70-minute trip between the two islands.

The Maui-Molokai ferry stopped operating years ago, and the Hawaii Superferry was forced to stop operating before it even got going.

Today, many visitors are falsely told that a ferry links all the Hawaiian Islands. I’m afraid that is not true. Below I share details on the operating Maui-Lanai ferry and historical information on our lost Hawaii ferries.

Maui-Lanai Ferry Details

The Maui-Lanai ferry leaves from Ma’alaea Harbor in south-central Maui and arrives at Manalele Small Boat Harbor (click for directions) on Lanai’s southern coast. From Manalele Small Boat Harbor, you can walk 10 minutes to Hulopoe Beach (the best beach on Lanai) or take a shuttle service to Lanai City, a 15-minute drive.

The Maui-Lanai ferry is a passenger ferry. You cannot take your rental car on the ferry.

The ferry makes it very easy to take a day trip from Maui to Lanai. See our Is Lanai Worth a Day Trip?

We provide everything you need to know about the Maui-Lanai ferry in our Lanai Things to Do article. In that article, we share our free Wayfinder Itinerary sample, which includes two full planned-out days on Lanai, where to eat, and where to stay. Plus, Lanai rental car information. Visiting Lanai is more than the famous Lanai Cat Sanctuary!

Maui-Lanai Ferry Schedule

The Maui-Lanai ferry runs 7 days a week on a consistent and reliable schedule. When we take the ferry, we always book the 6:30 AM ferry. Then we can explore Lanai City for breakfast and then relax and snorkel at Hulopoe Beach in the afternoon.

• Ma’alaea, Maui to Manele, Lanai: 6:30 AM, 11:00 AM, and 3:30 PM
• Manele, Lanai to Ma’alaea, Maui: 8:30 AM, 1:00 PM, and 5:30 PM

Maui-Lanai Ferry Prices

Expeditions Ferry runs a reliable and comfortable ferry service. They have done their best to keep prices reasonable over the years. You will find a lot of local residents (kama’aina), hunters, and construction workers on the ferry with you in the morning and evening.

• $66 per adult and $34 per child 2 to 11 years old
• $40 per kama’aina adult (local resident), $15 per child, and $15 per senior ages 65 and over
• $40 per active military or veteran

Here’s our video of a day trip to Lanai using Expeditions Lanai to island hop from Maui to Lanai.

Maui-Molokai Ferry History

If you’re looking to take a ferry to Molokai, you’re out of luck. Unfortunately, while a ferry used to operate between Maui and Molokai, that service stopped on October 27th, 2016. 

The ferry stopped due to federally subsidized commuter air service and declining ridership. Competition with Mokulele Airlines was strong at the time.

I took the Maui-Molokai ferry in 2013 when I went camping on Molokai with my sister. It was a rough ride across the channel but an important ferry for those who commuted.

The State of Hawaii has discussed bringing back a Maui-Lanai-Molokai ferry. They sent out a request for proposals in 2024. No action has progressed. I believe they didn’t get favorable proposals or more reliable air service has started for Molokai residents.

Details on visiting Molokai, including things to do: How to Visit Molokai

Hawaii Superferry History

The Hawaii Superferry was a grand plan to provide passenger and vehicle transportation between the islands. Operations started in December 2007 with service between Oahu and Maui.

Further service was planned for Oahu to Kauai and the Big Island. Protests erupted from local residents over environmental impacts. The Hawaii Supreme Court suspended operations in March 2009 as it was deemed unconstitutional to operate without a second environmental impact statement.

The ferry presented a threat to multiple parties in Hawaii business. Conspiracies or beliefs around why it was canceled abound. Who killed the Hawaii Superferry? Was it the airlines, rental car companies, environmentalists, or local residents who wanted to limit inter-island travel?

Cruising Between the Hawaiian Islands

Cruise passengers, like on Norwegian Cruise Line’s Pride of America, are the 10,000 visitors a month who go by ship between the islands.

If you’re set on seeing multiple islands in a short time and don’t want to fly, an inter-island cruise is an option.

Norwegian Cruise Line offers a weekly cruise that departs from and returns to Oahu, making stops on the neighbor islands. Mainland cruises also stop in Hawaii. These seasonal cruises may visit only Oahu or one or two other islands.

If a Hawaiian cruise is up your alley, we have more resources for you! We cover all the cruise ports and what to know, the best time to cruise Hawaii, and shore excursions on each island: Maui, the Big Island, Kauai, and Oahu.

Plus, you can grab a comprehensive Cruising Hawaii Guide with everything you need to know, all in one place.

Inter-Island Day Trips: DIY or Tours

A single day on another Hawaiian Island is doable! Lots of visitors have a bucket-list attraction on another island but don’t want to spend multiple days there. So, they fly over for the day.

Bucket-list attractions that are worthy of a day trip for island hopping include:

• Pearl Harbor National Memorial and Historical Sites
• Road to Hana on Maui
• Kauai movie set tour
• Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island

You can book everything yourself for an inter-island day trip, or book a guided tour. They will take care of all of the logistics for you. They will charge a premium over doing it yourself, but they will make sure everything goes smoothly and do the driving!

Guided inter-island tours have tours to all the islands to see their must-do attractions. You can have a movie set tour on Kauai, take a helicopter tour of Kilauea erupting on the Big Island, or let a local drive you on the Road to Hana.

We went on the most popular bucket-list day trip in August 2021. We flew from Maui to Oahu for a tour of Pearl Harbor and historical Honolulu. It was a stress-free and active day. Our guide took care of everything so we could soak up the history of Pearl Harbor. We have recommended it for years!

Prices for a Hawaii inter-island guided tour range from $550 per person to $850 for the day trip and helicopter tour.

Check Availability and See All 10 Tours: Hawaii Inter-Island Day Tours

Expect a full day away for an inter-island day trip. Your day will start at dawn, as you will depart from the Hawaiian Islands at 6 AM or 7 AM. You will have a full day on the new island and then board a flight home in the evening. The island hop is a 10- to 12-hour day.

An island-hopping tour is a great way to see more of Hawaii and check off that bucket-list item you crave!

Car Rentals for Hawaii Island Hopping

Finding a rental car for island hopping is the same as when arriving from the mainland. The major airports (Honolulu, Kahului, Lihue, Kona, and Hilo) have rental car facilities at the airport.

A free rental car shuttle by your rental car company will be available at Lihue and Kona Airports. You can walk at Hilo Airport and take a train at Kahului Airport. At Honolulu Airport, you can walk from baggage or take a complimentary shuttle if you’re at Terminal 1 with Hawaiian Airlines.

You can rent with a national car rental carrier, go with a local, off-airport rental, or rent with Turo. The fastest option is to rent with a national car rental carrier at the airport. Avis Preferred or Hertz President’s Club can help with long lines.

Our shortlist of discount car rental companies.

Itineraries for Hawaii Island Hopping

Why island hop unless you know what you want to do! We decide on how many days to spend on each island by making an itinerary.

Our trick for traveling in Hawaii is to balance days. We start the morning with a big activity or road trip to explore the island. Then, spend the afternoon relaxing at the resort or vacation rental. Pool time!

If you want to visit Maui to go to the summit of Haleakala and drive the Road to Hana, you will need at least two days on the island. Add in a day to relax or see some other sights, and boom, you have three days on Maui.

Here is our free itinerary for an island-hopping trip for Maui and Kauai: Your First Time in Hawaii Itinerary (10 days with island hopping)

Our best days out can be found in our Wayfinder Itineraries. We provide fully planned days out on each island. Pick the days that look best to you and you’re off! You can customize them with our listed alternatives, Quick Hits for restaurants, and our map for snorkeling and swimming beaches.

Our itineraries are all you need for island hopping in Hawaii!

FAQs: Island-Hopping in Hawaii

Cheat Sheets for Island Hopping

As you continue your Hawaii vacation trip planning, take the easy way out with our cheat sheets. Download free cheat sheets for each of the four major Hawaiian Islands to help you get familiar with the islands.

Our cheat sheets are an easy way to get familiar with the must-do activities, where to stay, and where to eat on each island. You will feel more comfortable for your island-hopping adventure.

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