Hawaii Inter-island Flight Question

Hi,

I'm trying to figure out what flight time my husband and i should choose from Oahu to Kauai. We have an excursion planned in Oahu on Tuesday, September 24 which ends approximately 3:30pm (the discovertours website says Start and end times are approximate - anyone have any experience with how accurate they are?). What's the earliest time you think we should get a flight to Kauai? We'd really like to fly that night and not have to stay over again in Oahu to fly the next morning. I'm not sure how much time we should leave. After we get dropped off at our hotel at hopefully 3:30pm, we'd just need to get our bags and head to the airport (hotel is 15min from airport - hotel renew). We dont want to worry and end up missing the flight but would also like to get to Kauai at a decent time to maybe have a late dinner at the hotel there.

Any thoughts?

Thanks so much!

Hawaii Inter-island Flight Question

Well you said the excursion should end at 3:30 but then you said that you will get dropped off at your hotel at 3:30. I would bet that you will be in your hotel at 4, the earliest. I never did a tour in Oahu but when we went, we visited Pearl Harbor and flew to Kauai the same day. Our flight to Kauai was around 7 PM or so. I would go with a 7 PM or later flight. You aren't going to do much in Kaui that day anyway so may as well pick a comfortable flight time. The tour will most likely have to drop people off at other hotels right? You can try asking this question on tripadvisor.com under the Oahu forums. GL!

Hawaii Inter-island Flight Question

What time are your options?

Re: Hawaii Inter-island Flight Question

There's a 6:10pm flight or a 7:36pm that I see available right now. I'd like to do the 6:10pm but not sure if it will be stressful to make it.

Re: Hawaii Inter-island Flight Question

I'd do the 7:36 flight. I've learned one thing in my travels to Hawaii - they're definitely on island time. I would hate to rush around my last day and feel stressed that I'll miss my flight.

Security at HNL can be VERY slow. Hawaiian can be strict about check-in times too. Also, if you're getting back to your hotel at around 4-ish - you have to factor in rush hour in Honolulu.

Re: Hawaii Inter-island Flight Question

This is all great advice, I really appreciate it!

I just had another thought...we fly into Honolulu on Monday night at 6:30pm (September 23). Maybe we should rent a car from the airport and do our own trip around Oahu the next day and schedule a tour at Pearl Harbor as our last stop then head to the airport after that?

Any main spots in Oahu that you would recommend? Right now I was focused on Pearl Harbor, North Shore beaches and the Dole Plantation. I haven't research the island too much though. I don't think we want to do the Diamond Head Hike or anything else that is too active since we'll probably be pretty tired with the time difference.

Any thoughts?

Re: Hawaii Inter-island Flight Question

We've been to Oahu 4 times. We ALWAYS rent a car. DH can't stand relying on the bus or taking cabs. We like to come and go as we please.

Pearl Harbor is definitely worth a visit. I'd rent a car and hit up Pearl Harbor when it opens. You can easily spend half a day touring Pearl Harbor and the USS Missouri. We've never done a tour of Pearl Harbor. Each time we've gone, we went on our own. There's no need for a tour. It's an easy drive from Waikiki Beach. I think they now allow you to make reservations online for the time you want to go to the memorial. You will get some time in the museum and be given a time for your shuttle to the memorial itself. You opt for an "audio tour" of the museum if you feel the need, but I thought that the captions on the exhibit explained everything. Then you go into the theater for the movie. After the movie, you get on the shuttle for the boat ride over to the memorial. Honestly, I wouldn't waste the money on a tour when you can do it yourself without any difficulty.

The Dole Plantation isn't really worth the time.

If you're into snorkeling definitely stop at Hanauma Bay after Pearl Harbor. The snorkeling there is fantastic. You can also go to Punchbowl Cemetary (the largest US military cemetary in the Pacific) if you're interested. It's picturesque but it's not a "must do."

Definitely drive up to the North Shore of Oahu - it's a completely different vibe than Waikiki.

Re: Hawaii Inter-island Flight Question

All your input is so so helpful. I really appreciate it!

Re: Hawaii Inter-island Flight Question

No problem. Having a car is definitely the way to go if you want to maximize your time on Oahu.

You will definitely be jetlagged so you will have no problem getting up early and going to Pearl Harbor first thing in the morning....as a matter of fact you might be waiting for it to open

Re: Hawaii Inter-island Flight Question

Posted by Mill188

No problem. Having a car is definitely the way to go if you want to maximize your time on Oahu.

You will definitely be jetlagged so you will have no problem getting up early and going to Pearl Harbor first thing in the morning....as a matter of fact you might be waiting for it to open

Re: Hawaii Inter-island Flight Question

absolutely!! You'll have plenty of time to explore it - just go early. Also, if you have a car, you're on your own time so don't have to worry about rushing around.