Hawaii Travel Guide - Getting There

Frequent inter-island services are offered by Hawaiian Airlines (website: www.hawaiianair.com), which also sells passes offering unlimited inter-island flying; coupon books for these are available from local travel agents. All-island passes are typically available in increments of five, seven, 10 and 14 days.

From London to Honolulu is 17 to 19 hours (including stopover, and depending on route taken).

Honolulu International Airport (HNL) (website: www6.hawaii.gov/dot/airports/index.htm) is about 13km (8 miles) northwest of the city (14.5km/9 miles from Waikiki). To/from the airport: City bus services 19 and 20 run (journey time - 30 minutes), but luggage is not allowed on city buses. Various shuttles and coaches to Waikiki hotels meet all flight arrivals during the day (journey time - approximately 25 minutes). Taxis and limousines are also available (journey time - 20 minutes). Facilities: Business centre and car hire.

Other international airports are: Hilo International Airport and Kona International Airport.

Domestic airports:
Hawaii: Upolu, Waimea-Kohala. Kauai: Lihue. Lanai: Lanai Airport. Maui: Hana, Kahului, Kapalua. Molokai: Kalaupapa and Molokai. Oahu: Dillingham Airfield, Kalaeloa.

None.

Main ports: Hawaii: Hilo, Kawaihae. Kauai: Nawiliwili, Port Allen. Maui: Kahului. Molokai: Kaunakakai. Oahu: Honolulu, Kalaeloa Barber's Point, Kewalo Basin. Lanai: Kaumalapau.
 
Several cruise lines run to Hawaii. Ferries run between Maui, Lanai and Molokai.

The Hawaiian Railway Society (website: www.hawaiianrailway.com) on Oahu offers 90-minute journeys on a historical diesel-electric locomotive formerly used to haul sugar cane from Ewa Plantation Village to Ko'olina. 

On Maui, the Lahaina-Kaanapali & Pacific Railroad (website: www.sugarcanetrain.com), also known as the Sugar Cane Train, offers daily 30-minute rides between Old Town Lahaina and Kaanapali Beach Resort.

Traffic drives on the right.

Bus: Deluxe modern tour buses operate on all islands. TheBus, Honolulu's public transit, is an inexpensive way to tour the whole island of Oahu.

Taxi: Metered taxis are available throughout the main islands.

Car hire: Available through local and international agencies. Drivers must be over 21 years of age for car hire.

Regulations: Right-hand turns are permitted in the right lane at a ‘stop' light unless otherwise indicated. Pedestrians are given the right of way most of the time.

Documentation: Foreign driving licence required.

Good local bus services are provided on Oahu by TheBus (tel: (808) 848 5555; website: www.thebus.org), which covers the entire island with over 60 routes. An exact flat-fare system operates and free transfers are available on request. 

On other islands, taxis are available and car hire is possible. Limited public bus services operate on Kauai and Hawaii.