When is the Cheapest Time to Fly to Honolulu?
Honolulu sees stable temperatures and little rainfall throughout the year, making any time a good time to visit. You can find last-minute flights with Netflights, but enjoy the biggest selection of routes and rates when you book return flights around eight weeks before travel. The shoulder seasons, from mid-April to June and September to mid-December can be ideal times to find cheap flights to Honolulu.
When is the Best Time to Book your Flight to Honolulu?
Peak tourism is entwined with the American holidays, so flights to Honolulu are more expensive over Christmas and New Year’s, Easter, July and August. Avoid these times if you’re looking for good deals on Honolulu flights. Surfing is at its peak from late December to early April, making it another popular time to visit. Be flexible with your dates to find the best prices on return flights.
Flying to Daniel K. Inouye International Airport HNL
As one of the busiest airports in the United States (US), Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) sees an excess of 21 million passengers annually. Named after a US senator who represented Hawaii, it is located just five kilometres northwest of the city and is comprised of three main terminal buildings. There are no direct flights to HNL from the United Kingdom (UK) currently, but you can fly from London Heathrow with just one stopover (somewhere in the US depending on the airline). With Netflights, you can compare flights to Honolulu from Air Canada, Air France, All Nippon Airways, American Airlines, British Airways, Delta Air Lines, KLM, Korean Airlines, Lufthansa, United Airlines and Virgin Atlantic. You can also check in for Honolulu flights from UK airports like Manchester, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Birmingham, but you’ll likely have a stopover in London Heathrow.
On Arrival and Getting Around the Airport
The three terminal buildings are divided into an Overseas Terminal (Gates 6-34), an Inter-island Terminal and Commuter Terminal. Inter-terminal transport is provided by Wiki Wiki buses (the Hawaiian word for ‘quick’), which connect all three terminals. All luggage must pass agricultural inspection. The airport now provides free Wi-Fi, and there are plenty of services and amenities located throughout the airport.
Getting to the City from Daniel K. Inouye International Airport HNL
You can choose from buses, shuttles or taxis when travelling to the city centre; car hires are also available on site. Buses run approximately every 30 minutes; buses 19 and 20 run to downtown Honolulu. Shuttle buses depart from outside the Overseas Terminal (between Baggage Claim D and E), and taxis can be hired in front of the baggage claim area.
Why Visit Honolulu?
Meaning "sheltered bay" in Hawaiian, Honolulu’s natural harbour has made it a centre of trade for centuries. Its tropical beauty and laid-back character has made it a tourist magnet. Travellers who want to experience Hawaiian culture should come to its capital and get ready to be swept off their feet by stunning beaches, fabulous seafood and friendly locals. Downtown is Honolulu’s historical centre with must-see attractions like the Bishop’s Museum, Honolulu Museum of Art and ʻIolani Palace, where the Hawaiian king once lived.
Chinatown is full of bustling markets and impressive sights. History buffs will enjoy visiting Pearl Harbour. The world-famous Waikiki Beach is a great place for a dip in the sea or a stroll on the sand, but venture along the coast a bit further and you’ll find quieter beaches, like those at Ala Moana Beach Park. Whatever you do in Honolulu, you’re certain to remember it for years to come.
Don't Forget Before you Fly
The UK is part of the Visa Waiver Programme, which allows travellers to enter the US without a visa for up to 90 days. However, you do need to apply for entry via the Electronic System of Travel Authorisation (ESTA) at least 72 hours before departing the UK. You can do this via the ESTA website. Your passport only needs to be valid for the duration of your stay. US dollars are available at ATMs and money exchange desks throughout the airport.
