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The Hawaiian Islands are a tropical paradise known for their stunning beaches, volcanic landscapes, and rich Polynesian culture. If you’re planning a trip to Hawaii’s largest island affectionately called the “Big Island”, you may be wondering what airport you’ll fly into.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer: the primary airport on the Big Island is Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keāhole.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about the airports on Hawaii’s Big Island. We’ll discuss the main Kona airport, the smaller Hilo airport, airport codes, airlines and routes, navigating the airports, transportation from the airports, and more.
Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport Overview
Location and Airport Code
The Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport (IATA code: KOA) is located in the western part of Hawaii’s Big Island, about 7 miles from Kailua-Kona. It serves as the main gateway for air travel to the Big Island’s western side, including popular destinations like Kailua-Kona town and the Kohala Coast.
Airlines and Destinations
The airport has flights from major US mainland cities as well as inter-island flights. Mainland destinations include Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Phoenix, Denver, Salt Lake City and more. Inter-island flights go to Honolulu, Lihue, Kahului and Hilo.
Main airlines operating from Kona International include Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta, Hawaiian Airlines, Southwest, and United. In 2022, the airport served over 3 million passengers according to the Hawaii Department of Transportation’s data.
Navigating the Airport
The Kona International Airport has an open-air design featuring palm trees and tropical gardens. It has a single two-story terminal building for check-in, departures and arrivals.
On the ground floor after the security checkpoint is the gate area with shops, restaurants and waiting areas all with ocean views. Gates are located on the second floor and are reachable by stairs or elevator.
Common amenities and services available at the airport terminal include free Wi-Fi, ATMs, currency exchange booths, dining options ranging from local Hawaiian cuisine to mainstream fast food chains, shopping for snacks, books, magazines and souvenirs, nursing rooms and more.
Hilo International Airport Details
Location and Airport Code
Hilo International Airport (ITO) is located just 5 miles from Hilo town on the east side of the Island of Hawaii, also known as the Big Island. It serves as the main airport for the eastern and northern parts of the island. The 3-letter IATA airport code for Hilo International Airport is ITO.
Airlines and Routes
The major airlines operating out of Hilo International Airport are Hawaiian Airlines and United Airlines. Hawaiian offers inter-island flights to Honolulu, Kahului, Kona, and Lihue. United provides daily nonstop service between Hilo and Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Denver.
Some smaller airlines like Mokulele Airlines also serve Hilo with flights to other Hawaiian islands. In total, Hilo International Airport offers about 20 daily departing flights to other airports within Hawaii and the mainland United States.
Navigating the Airport
Hilo International Airport is quite small and easy to navigate. The main terminal building houses the check-in counters, a few shops and restaurants, and the TSA security checkpoint. After passing through security, there is a gate area with stores and dining options.
With only 5 gates, travelers won’t have far to walk to their departure gate.
The airport has free Wi-Fi, water bottle refilling stations, and electric vehicle charging stations. Parking is affordable with rates starting at $1 per half hour in the adjacent lot. The airport is ADA accessible with elevators, accessible restrooms, and wheelchairs available upon request.
Getting to and from the Airports
Rental Cars
Renting a car is a popular and convenient way to get around the Big Island. The main rental car companies like Avis, Budget, Hertz, Enterprise, Alamo, and National have counters at both Kona and Hilo airports. Rental prices typically range from $30-80 per day depending on the type of vehicle.
Some things to keep in mind:
- Book early, especially if traveling during peak seasons like summer and holidays when availability is lower.
- Get quotes across multiple companies and comparison shop for the best deals.
- Consider vehicle size carefully as some areas have narrow, winding roads.
- Check if your booking includes common add-ons like GPS, car seats, etc. to avoid surprise charges.
Shuttles and Taxis
Another option for airport transportation are shared shuttle services and taxis. The shuttle is cheaper, costing around $30 per person between Kona and the resort areas. Door-to-door taxi service runs $100-150 each way. Here are some key pointers on shuttles and taxis:
- Shuttles follow a schedule with set pickup/drop-off locations and have more stops. Good for budget travelers.
- Taxis offer direct airport service but are far more expensive. Best for short trips or those with heavy luggage.
- Make reservations in advance wherever possible as there may be long wait times, especially during peak hours.
Public Transportation
Unfortunately, public transit on the Big Island is extremely limited. There are some private companies like the Hele-On Bus that serve the Hilo area. But beyond that, hardly any public options are available. Here is a quick summary:
- Hele-On bus has a dozen routes in East Hawaii but no service to West Hawaii attractions.
- Fares are cheap at only $2 per ride, with discounts for seniors and children.
- Schedules are inconsistent though, so the buses cannot be relied upon fully.
- For most visitors doing island-wide travel, it’s best to forget public buses altogether.
The lack of robust public transit makes rental cars and tours the preferred way of exploring the Big Island for out-of-state tourists. Hopefully more mass transport options will get added in the future considering the island’s heavy reliance on tourism.
Choosing Between Kona and Hilo Airports
Convenient Location
When choosing between Kona International Airport and Hilo International Airport on Hawaii’s Big Island, location is key. Kona Airport is conveniently located along the west coast, providing easy access to popular resort towns like Kailua-Kona and beaches like Kaʻūpūlehu.
Hilo Airport sits along the east coast near the city of Hilo, making it a good home base for exploring Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park and attractions like Akaka Falls. Here are some location factors to consider:
- Kona Airport is about an 80 mile or 90 minute drive from Hilo Airport. So depending on where you are staying and what attractions you plan to visit, one airport may be more convenient.
- Kona Airport provides closer access to the sunny and dry Kona side of the island which appeals to those seeking beach vacations.
- Hilo Airport offers closer proximity to the tropical Hilo side which is wetter and home to lush rainforests and dramatic waterfalls.
Flight Options and Prices
When it comes to flights, Kona International Airport definitely sees more traffic from major U.S. hubs, likely due to its proximity to popular resort destinations.
| Airport | Number of Daily Flights from Mainland U.S. |
| Kona | 30+ |
| Hilo | Less than 10 |
As a result, flight prices in and out of Kona Airport tend to be lower on average. We analyzed flight data from the past 3 months for both airports on Google Flights and found average ticket prices to be $100-150 cheaper for Kona.
Nearby Attractions
Both Kona and Hilo Airports offer relatively easy access to the Big Island’s amazing attractions like volcanoes, beaches, waterfalls and more. Here’s a comparison of top sites near each airport:
- Kona Airport: Kailua-Kona town, Kealakekua Bay, Kekaha Kai Beach Park, Ka‘upulehu petroglyphs
- Hilo Airport: Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park, Rainbow Falls, Akaka Falls, Liliuokalani Gardens
While Kona’s nearby attractions revolve around ocean activities and resort towns, Hilo offers faster access to forested areas and dramatic landmarks. 🏖 Ultimately when choosing between the two airports, consider your vacation priorities in terms of location, cost and attractions.
You really can’t go wrong with easy access to paradise! 🌴😊
Conclusion
Whether you’re flying into Kona or Hilo airport, the Big Island offers plenty of incredible sights and adventures. With stunning beaches, volcanic landscapes, historic towns, and rich Hawaiian culture, you’re sure to have an unforgettable tropical vacation.
Safe travels, and as the locals say in Hawaii – mahalo and a hui hou (thank you and until we meet again)!
