Book Flights to Honolulu, Hawaii
Honolulu -- Hawaii's capital and largest city, located on the south shore of Oahu -- is America's premier Pacific island destination: Waikiki Beach, Diamond Head, Pearl Harbor, the Bishop Museum, 'Iolani Palace, and the gateway to the Hawaiian archipelago. With year-round sunshine, 24-27°C ocean temperatures, and outstanding surf, Honolulu is equally beloved by beach vacationers, history enthusiasts, and outdoor adventurers.
Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) is the hub for all Hawaii travel, served by Hawaiian Airlines, Alaska, Southwest, United, American, Delta, and Air Canada. FareOptic compares all carriers for the cheapest nonstop and connecting fares to Honolulu.
Cheap Flight Deals to Honolulu
*All above fares are one way/round trip. Fares incl. all fuel surcharges, taxes & fees and our service fees. Displayed fares are subject to change and cannot be guaranteed at the time of booking. See all booking terms and conditions.
Recommended for your next trip
Based on popular routes and current airfare deals
Why Visit Honolulu, Hawaii?
Waikiki Beach, Pearl Harbor, Diamond Head, 'Iolani Palace, Bishop Museum, North Shore surf, interisland adventures
Waikiki Beach
Iconic Mile-Long Beach -- Diamond Head Backdrop and Azure PacificWaikiki -- a 3.2 km stretch of white sand beach on Oahu's south shore backed by the volcanic Diamond Head crater -- is one of the world's most recognizable and most visited beaches. The beach averages 300 days of sunshine annually, gentle 0.6-1.5m surf (ideal for learning to surf), and water temperatures of 24-27°C year-round. The beachside strip of Kalakaua Avenue contains Honolulu's finest hotels (Royal Hawaiian, Moana Surfrider, Halekulani), restaurants, and luxury shopping.
Surfing Lessons at Waikiki
Waikiki's gentle rolling waves make it the world's most popular surf school location. Surfing was practiced here for over 1,000 years before Westerners arrived -- Duke Kahanamoku, the 'Father of Modern Surfing,' was born in Honolulu in 1890. First-timers almost universally stand up on their first lesson at Waikiki; lessons run 1-2 hours and cost $50-80.
Pearl Harbor National Memorial
USS Arizona Memorial -- December 7, 1941Pearl Harbor -- the surprise Japanese attack on December 7, 1941 that killed 2,403 Americans and drew the United States into World War II -- is commemorated across four national historic sites near Honolulu: the USS Arizona Memorial (built directly above the sunken battleship, where 1,177 crew members still rest entombed), the USS Missouri Battleship (where Japan surrendered on September 2, 1945), the USS Bowfin Submarine Museum, and the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum. Over 1.8 million visitors come annually.
The USS Arizona Memorial
The USS Arizona Memorial, dedicated in 1962, spans the mid-portion of the sunken battleship 12 meters below. Access is by NPS boat from the visitor center -- free but tickets must be reserved at recreation.gov well in advance. Oil still seeps from the Arizona's fuel tanks -- an estimated 31 liters per day -- creating visible rainbow slicks on the water; park rangers call this 'the tears of the Arizona.'
Diamond Head State Monument
Volcanic Crater Hike with 360° Honolulu ViewsDiamond Head -- Lē'ahi in Hawaiian -- is the iconic 232-meter volcanic tuff cone that forms Honolulu's most recognizable landmark. The 2.4 km round-trip summit trail climbs 175 meters through World War I-era military tunnels and observation bunkers to a 360° panoramic view of Waikiki, Honolulu, the Ko'olau Mountains, and the Pacific Ocean. The hike takes 1.5-2 hours.
Reservation Required
Diamond Head State Monument requires advance online reservations at gostateparks.hawaii.gov (maximum 1,800 visitors per day). Open 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM daily; hike from 6:00 AM - 4:00 PM. Parking is limited; arrive by taxi, Uber, or TheBus Route 23 from Waikiki.
Bishop Museum
World's Finest Collection of Hawaiian and Pacific Culture -- Founded 1889The Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum -- Hawaii's largest natural history and cultural museum, founded in 1889 -- houses the world's largest collection of Polynesian cultural artifacts and natural history specimens: Hawaiian royal regalia, feathered cloaks (kāhili), temple objects, over 24 million natural history specimens, and the Hawaiian Hall -- three floors of Hawaiian cultural history in a Victorian Romanesque building.
Hawaiian Hall
Hawaiian Hall -- the museum's centerpiece -- presents the natural and cultural history of Hawaii across three gallery floors in a magnificent 1903 building. The collection includes royal feathered cloaks (ʻahu ʻula) worn only by Hawaiian chiefs, the full-scale sperm whale skeleton suspended from the ceiling, and a 14-meter koa wood outrigger canoe. Open 9 AM - 5 PM daily.
'Iolani Palace
America's Only Royal Palace -- Built by King Kalākaua in 1882'Iolani Palace -- the official residence of Hawaii's last monarchs, King Kalākaua (1882-1891) and Queen Lili'uokalani (1891-1893) -- is the only official royal palace in the United States. The American Florentine-style building was the first in Honolulu with electricity and indoor plumbing. Queen Lili'uokalani was overthrown here in January 1893 in a coup backed by American businessmen; the palace served as the seat of the Republic and Territory of Hawaii until 1969.
Queen Lili'uokalani and Annexation
Queen Lili'uokalani -- the last Hawaiian monarch, who composed 'Aloha 'Oe' -- was placed under house arrest in 'Iolani Palace in 1895 after a failed counter-revolution. She formally abdicated to prevent execution of Hawaiian patriots. In 1993, President Clinton signed the Apology Resolution (Public Law 103-150) acknowledging that the US overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom was illegal. The question of Hawaiian sovereignty remains politically significant.
How to Find Cheap Flights to Honolulu
Book 3-6 Months Ahead for Best Hawaii Fares
Honolulu flights from the US mainland peak in June-August (summer) and December-January (holiday). The best fares emerge 3-6 months ahead of travel. September-October and April-May (avoiding spring break) are the cheapest periods for both flights and hotels.
Hawaiian Airlines vs. Alaska vs. Southwest -- Compare All Three
On West Coast routes, Hawaiian, Alaska, and Southwest all compete aggressively. Southwest doesn't charge bag fees (two free checked bags) -- factor this into total cost comparisons. Hawaiian's Extra Comfort and First Class upgrades are often available at check-in for $50-150, making their base fares comparable to Southwest when bags are counted.
HNL Is 5.5 Hours from LA -- Plan for Jet Lag
Hawaii Standard Time (HST) is UTC-10, with no daylight saving time. From the US East Coast, Honolulu is 6 hours behind (5h in summer). A 9-10 hour flight from the East Coast to Honolulu with a West Coast connection is standard; direct JFK-HNL flights exist on Hawaiian Airlines (10h 45m).
Interisland Flights Are Affordable -- Explore Beyond Oahu
Hawaiian Airlines and Southwest (via Mokulele) connect Honolulu to Maui (OGG, 30 min), Kauai (LIH, 35 min), and the Big Island (KOA/ITO, 45-55 min). Interisland fares run $39-120 each way. A multi-island trip costs little more than staying on Oahu and dramatically expands what you see of Hawaii.
Airlines Serving Honolulu (HNL)
Hawaiian Airlines
Primary Mainland-Hawaii Carrier -- LA, San Francisco, and West Coast HubsHawaiian Airlines is the dominant carrier on Honolulu routes from the US mainland, operating the most nonstop flights from Los Angeles (LAX), San Francisco (SFO), Seattle (SEA), Portland (PDX), San Diego (SAN), Las Vegas (LAS), Phoenix (PHX), Sacramento (SMF), Oakland (OAK), and New York (JFK). Hawaiian's wide-body fleet (Airbus A330, A321neo) provides a premium trans-Pacific product including Pualani First and Extra Comfort cabins. Hawaiian also connects Honolulu's Daniel K. Inouye airport to all major neighbor islands.
Key Routes
HNL nonstop to Los Angeles LAX (5h 25m); HNL to San Francisco SFO (5h 20m); HNL to Seattle SEA (5h 45m); HNL to Portland PDX (5h 45m); HNL to New York JFK (10h 45m); inter-island to Maui OGG, Kauai LIH, Kona KOA, Hilo ITO
Alaska Airlines
Pacific Northwest Specialist -- Seattle and Portland NonstopsAlaska Airlines provides excellent nonstop service from Honolulu to Seattle (SEA) and Portland (PDX), competing directly with Hawaiian on the Pacific Northwest corridor. Alaska's Mileage Plan is widely considered the most valuable frequent flyer program for Hawaii travel and offers strong partnerships for earning and redeeming miles on Hawaii routes.
Key Routes
HNL nonstop to Seattle SEA (5h 45m); HNL to Portland PDX (5h 50m); connections to all Alaska destinations via Seattle hub; Mileage Plan miles earn and redeem on Hawaiian Airlines
Southwest, United, American & Delta
Nationwide Nonstops -- Florida, Texas, Colorado, and East Coast ConnectionsSouthwest Airlines flies nonstop to Honolulu from Las Vegas, Sacramento, San Jose, Oakland, San Diego, Long Beach, and Phoenix (seasonal). United connects HNL to Chicago, Denver, and Houston. American Airlines links Honolulu to Phoenix, Dallas, and Chicago. Delta serves HNL from Los Angeles, Salt Lake City, and Atlanta. Together these carriers provide coverage from virtually every major US city.
Key Routes
Southwest: HNL from Las Vegas LAS, Sacramento SMF, San Jose SJC, Oakland OAK; United: HNL from Chicago ORD, Denver DEN, Houston IAH; Delta: HNL from Los Angeles LAX, Salt Lake City SLC, Atlanta ATL
Things to Do in Honolulu, Hawaii
Essential Info for Your Honolulu Trip
State
Hawaii (HI)
Currency
USD — US Dollar
Time Zone
HST (UTC-10) — no daylight saving time
Airport Code
HNL — Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (9 km from downtown)
Population
~375,000 city; ~1 million Oahu; ~1.4 million statewide
Top Attractions
Waikiki Beach, Pearl Harbor, Diamond Head, 'Iolani Palace, Bishop Museum, North Shore
Emergency Number
911
Most Popular Airlines
Best Airlines for Domestic & International Routes
Frequently Asked Questions on Travel to Honolulu
Everything you need to know about booking cheap flights to Honolulu, Hawaii
What airport serves Honolulu?
Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (IATA: HNL) is the primary airport for Honolulu and Oahu, located 9 km west of downtown Honolulu and 12 km west of Waikiki. Taxis and rideshares to Waikiki cost approximately $35-45 and take 25-40 minutes depending on traffic. TheBus Route 20 connects the airport to Waikiki for $3. The airport also serves as Honolulu's interisland hub for neighbor island connections.
How long is the flight from the mainland US to Honolulu?
Nonstop flight times to HNL from major mainland cities: Los Angeles LAX (5h 25m), San Francisco SFO (5h 20m), Seattle SEA (5h 45m), Denver DEN (7h 30m), Dallas DFW (8h 45m), Chicago ORD (9h 15m), New York JFK (10h 45m on Hawaiian nonstop), Atlanta ATL (10h with connection). Hawaii is the most remote island chain in the world -- 3,860 km from the US West Coast.
What is the best time to visit Honolulu?
Honolulu is outstanding year-round. The 'wet season' (November-March) brings occasional rain showers but is still very pleasant (24-28°C). The 'dry season' (April-October) is Hawaii's summer -- slightly warmer (27-31°C) and more crowded. September-October offers excellent weather with fewer crowds and lower prices than June-August. North Shore surf season (November-February) is spectacular for spectators.
Do US citizens need a passport to visit Hawaii?
No. Hawaii is a US state -- US citizens need only a government-issued ID (driver's license, state ID) to travel between Hawaii and the mainland. A passport is not required. International visitors require the same documents they would use to enter any other US state.
What is the best beach in Honolulu?
Waikiki Beach is the most famous and most accessible, ideal for families and first-time visitors. For snorkeling: Hanauma Bay (book online, closed Tuesdays). For bodyboarding and local atmosphere: Sandy Beach or Makapu'u. For picnicking and swimming: Ala Moana Beach Park (the largest in the state). The most beautiful beaches on Oahu are on the Windward Coast -- Kailua and Lanikai -- 40-50 minutes from Honolulu.
How much does a trip to Honolulu cost?
Budget travelers can manage $150-200/day with Airbnb, TheBus transportation, and cooking some meals. Mid-range visitors typically spend $250-400/day with a hotel and restaurant meals. Waikiki luxury hotels (Halekulani, Royal Hawaiian, Four Seasons) run $400-1,200+/night. Peak season (summer and Christmas) adds 20-40% to all costs. Book accommodation and popular activities (Pearl Harbor, Hanauma Bay, luaus) well in advance.
24/7 Post-Flight Booking Assistance
With our 24/7 Post-Flight Booking Assistance, you will never have to manage travel challenges alone. Our highly trained travel experts are available day and night to support you with any changes, cancellations, or additional services you may require. From updating passenger details to securing special requests, we make the process smooth and stress-free.
Should your plans shift, we will walk you through every step of the cancellation and refund process, ensuring clarity and timely resolutions. In today's unpredictable travel environment, flexibility is essential, and we pride ourselves on delivering expert solutions quickly. Contact us anytime and travel with confidence knowing we will handle the details while you focus on what matters most — your journey.