A Tale of Two Airports and Two Sides of the Big Island
While most Hawaiian islands have a single main airport, the Big Island is large enough (its land mass is more sizable than all the other islands combined) to have two airports in Hawaii: Hilo and Kona. Kona is on the island’s west coast, while Hilo is on the east coast, each anchoring the two main cities on either side of Hawaii. Much like the differing landscape and vibe on either side of the Big Island – Kona is more modern and developed, while Hilo is a more relaxed pace of life – the ambiance at the two airports similarly follow suit. And although public transportation is available from both airports, we recommend renting a car. You can explore everything the Big Island offers more fully, from the vast expanses of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park to secluded black sand beaches. Whether you fly into Hilo or Kona, you’ll feel the aloha spirit as soon as you step foot on Hawaiian soil. And from there, you’ll be just a quick car ride away from active volcanoes, lush rainforests, rushing waterfalls, and so much more on your Hawaiian getaway at our Hawaii National Park vacation rental.
Hilo – A Relaxed, Unflashy, and Less Than an Hour Away Airport in Hawaii
Hilo International Airport is our “local” airport, as it is less than 30 miles north of Volcano village and an easy 45-minute drive away on Highway 11. Initially built in the 1920s, this airport in Hawaii served an essential role during World War II when it was an outpost for the Air Force, and it would expand over the years to accommodate more commercial flights. And although its name has the word “international,” it doesn’t have any international arrivals and only services interisland Hawaiian flights and a few airlines from the mainland United States. Only four airlines fly into Hilo (Hawaiian, Mokulele, Southwest, and United), and there are no direct flights from the mainland to Hilo at the current time. However, that can change from year to year, depending on demand.
Flying into and out of Hilo is a far cry from the hectic and overwhelming experience of flying into other major airports. Like daily life on our side of the Big Island, Hilo’s airport is laidback and casual, with tropical plants and outdoor seating where you can smell the ocean breeze wafting in from nearby Hilo Bay. Rotating art exhibits feature Hawaiian themes, like brightly painted sea turtles, and set the scene for your island vacation. Grab a fresh lei from Ah Lan’s Lei Stand when you land (or bring one home as a souvenir), and unlike other sprawling airports, baggage claim, rental cars, and security are all within the same close and convenient area.
Kona – A Bit Bigger, A Bit More Modern, But Still Uniquely Hawaiian
Kona International Airport is on the opposite (western) side of the Big Island, and although it requires more of a trip to get there, it is still only 100 miles and two hours from our doorstep. In addition to the four airlines that service Kona and Hilo, Kona welcomes six additional airlines (Air Canada, Alaska, American, Delta, Japan, and Westjet) to its sunny outdoor terminals. With more flights available, sometimes it is cheaper to fly into Kona than Hilo – it’s always worth comparing flights at both airports, especially on airlines like Hawaiian and Southwest that offer daily flights to both locations. After the pandemic shut down most of the arriving international flights into Kona, direct flights are now arriving from Japan and other countries again as of the summer of 2022.
Kona’s airport facilities have recently undergone multi-million dollar upgrades, connecting the two terminals and adding some new modern touches, but it still maintains its distinct island sensibility. Everything from bag check-in to gate areas is entirely outdoors, covered by wood-slatted roof huts, fitting right in with the Hawaiian landscape. There are no chain restaurants, but you can find authentic Hawaiian snacks like spam musubi at one of the food shops and tropical drinks at the centrally-located bar at this airport in Hawaii.
If you fly into Kona rather than Hilo, rent a car and travel across the center of the Big Island on Saddle Road. It’s one of the most scenic drives on the Hawaiian islands, as you’ll head from sea level up to over 5,000 feet, traversing between the massive volcanoes of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa as you make your way over to Hilo and then south to Volcano.
Reserve your room and book your flight to either of these airports in Hawaii – our Airbnb in Volcano, HI, is just a plane trip away!
