I am in the early stages of planning a 7-10 day trip in June to the Big Island. Is it advisable to stay a few days in Hilo and the rest on the Kona side? OR should I just stay on Kona side and take day trips to the Hilo side of the island?

I enjoyed spending 2 nights on the Hilo side to visit VNP, the National Botanical Gardens, and the waterfall. Then the rest of the time on the Kona side. For me, it would be an awfully long drive to do more than once.

Are you traveling alone?

Fly into one side, out from the other side. 3 nights on Hilo side, rest on Kona side.

We find it no trouble at all to drive to the Hilo side for day trips. I love the drive on route 200 (formerly saddle road), It's a scenic 1 hour and 20 minutes to Hilo from Waikoloa. BUT if you want to see the glow of the volcano at night, stay in or near the park at least for an overnight.

I've never understood the hard rule of flying into one side and out the other. It never worked for our schedules. For instance our first visit the Hawaii Island we stayed 4 nights in Hawi and 4 nights in Volcano Village. We had an evening flight so after checking out of our villa in VV we meandered the northern route at a leisurely pace and finished our trip with sunset at the Four Seasons. So taking the Saddle one way and the northern route the other way would be a must have for us. I'm not a big southern route gal, but if weather required its another option. Definitely if you haven't been, stay a couple of nights in the Village and see the glow at midnight or before dawn, as the gates don't close unless the Senate does another bad thing.

Ina: Yes. I am traveling solo.

Songdoc: You were right on target with the long travel. I was not sure if it was too difficult leaving early in the morning and then returning late at night. I have done the Road to Hana several times alone, but once per vacation. This trip appears that I may have to do it about three times in addition to the star trip up the mountain.

I only asked because lodging I might suggest would be for two not suited for solo travel.

My concern with the fly in one side and out the other is the added cost for the flight and hotel. If only the airlines would permit a two hotel stay per trip without adding to the cost.

I'm having trouble interpreting your last reply. Are you searching for package deals?

Yes. It would be nice(r) if I could find a package deal, however, if the logistics do not work, I will book a flight into Hilo stay for a few days and then move over to the Kona side.

This makes no sense. Why must you fly to one place and fly out of another? What do airlines have to do with you driving and staying in two locales on a visit?

Sylvia3, I was looking at the package deals that the airlines offer. I can fly into Kona for example and then book a hotel for the duration of the trip. The cost of that would be a lot less than flying into Kona, booking a hotel for a few days and then book a hotel on the Hilo side for a few days just to return and fly out of the Kona side.

I would appreciate other advice, if you have them.

In our experience, it is cheaper to fly and arrange lodging (we get a condo north of Kona) separately. There are many inexpensive places in the Volcano National Park area that you could get for a night or two (or even Hilo); you could start and spend the majority of your vacation on the west side, and then spend a couple of nights on the east side, seeing the Hilo/VNP area (drive back to KOA on your last day).

It is often cheaper to book a condo if you are staying a week or more on the Big Island. You also have the benefit of a lot more space, a kitchen, etc. There are many great complexes in the South Kohala area. Our personal favorite are the condos at the Mauna Lani with access to the beach club.

When we stay a week or more, we tend to double book a night in Volcano. We drive out in the morning, spend the day at VNP, stay to see the lava glow at night, spend the night and come back to the condo the next day.

Have fun planning. We love the Big Island.

There is a lot of construction and delays on the Saddle Road now. Personally, I would not want to travel it back and forth twice - once is enough for me.

If it were me and my first trip - I would fly into one airport and out of the other unless price and schedule was awful. I flew yesterday out of Hilo into LAX and it was a United non-stop and about 4 hours.

To me, not driving the Saddle Road twice; airfare schedule and price of airfare are important.

There are lots of places to stay in Kona, you don't need to do an entire week in a condo to get some nice places or a hotel will work too along with airbnb.

Lots of airbnb on Hilo side too. Not too many hotels, though.
I spent a night at http://www.grandnaniloahilo.com/ and it was new and price was ok. Some positives, some negatives.

Clearly, everyone has their preferences and that's why there are so many options.

No one suggested traveling the Saddle twice.

Lane closures on route 200 (saddle road) should end this week, according to hidot.
I love the drive, but usually do saddle one way and Old Mamalahoa the other.

Thank you to all that took time to respond. Safe Travels to all.