We are thinking of going to Hawaii in April. We'd like to stay on 3 islands: Oahu, the Big Island, and Kauai. How do you get from island to island, how much does it cost? Any tips on island hoping would be appreciated.

Most people fly between the islands. Check the following websites for schedules and fares:

www.hawaiianair.com

www.alohaairlines.com

You fly between islands (unless you take a cruise).

Right now you can book one way for around $39 on the links by A Traveller.

If you are staying 7 nights or less, stick with one island.

You lose about 1/2 day for each time you go to a different island.

Another airline link:
www.iflygo.com

One helpful tip: Make your flight reservation for as close to noon as possible. That way, when you check out of your hotel (before 11:00am), you won't have to kill time until your flight. You can just check out and head straight to the airport.

It helps at the other end too -- you'll land around 12:45, get your luggage, get your rental car if applicable, get on the road, and be at your hotel fairly close to check-in time.

Island Air is another interisland carrier unlike the others mentioned they fly turbo props. The flight times work out about the same and you can get around the luggage weight restrictions somewhat by hand checking your heavier bags.

So do you fly back to your arrival island for your flight home, or fly home from the final island you visit?

anne_rat:
Since you are planning to visit 3 islands my suggestion to you would be to fly into one island and out from your final destination, not sure where you are coming from but Oahu and the Big Island (not too sure about Kauai) have flights to most places in the mainland. This will save you some time. Have fun

Kauai also has nonstop flights to mainland USA, this past year our Hawaiian flight got cancelled and they put us on a nonstop American flight from LAX to LIH (Lihue). United also flies nonstop to Kauai from LAX.

colombiana and jamie99 - great info. Thanks for posting!