Getting Here and Getting Around
Master your island transportation with insider tips and strategies
Written by a Local Expert
Kalani MillerChapter 3: Getting Here and Getting Around
Planning your arrival and on-island transport is the backbone of your trip. On an island this big, a little forethought goes a long way. Let me be clear: you cannot do the Big Island without a rental car. Period.
The biggest mistake I see first-time visitors make is underestimating the driving times. It's a two-hour drive from Kona to Volcano without stopping. Planning your flights and car rental strategically is the key to a smooth, efficient vacation.
The Airport Deep Dive: KOA vs. ITO
The island is served by two international airports on opposite coasts. Choosing the right one can save you hours of driving.
Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport (KOA)
Located on the sunny west side, KOA is the island's primary airport. It receives the vast majority of direct flights from the U.S. mainland and international destinations. Major airlines serving KOA include Air Canada, Alaska, American, Delta, Hawaiian, Japan Airlines, Southwest, United, and WestJet.
Choose KOA if: Your trip is centered on the Kona or Kohala coasts, your priority is beaches and resorts, or you've found a direct flight from your home city.
Hilo International Airport (ITO)
This is a much smaller airport on the lush east side. It has very few direct mainland flights and is primarily served by inter-island flights from Honolulu and Kahului on Hawaiian Airlines and Southwest.
Choose ITO if: Your itinerary is heavily focused on Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park and the Hilo side, or if you're island-hopping from another Hawaiian island and find a good connection.
✈️ KOA Airport
Location: West side (Kona)
Flights: Many direct mainland flights
Airlines: All major carriers
Best For: Beach-focused trips, resort stays
✈️ ITO Airport
Location: East side (Hilo)
Flights: Limited direct, mostly inter-island
Airlines: Hawaiian, Southwest
Best For: Volcano-focused trips, island-hopping
The One-Way Rental Strategy
Here is the single best tip I can give you: fly into one side of the island and out of the other. Think about your last day. Do you want to spend it driving three hours back across the island to catch your flight? No.
A far more efficient plan, especially if you're doing a split stay, is to fly into Kona, pick up your rental car, explore the west side for several days, drive over to the east side and check into your second accommodation, explore the Hilo side and Volcanoes National Park, then drop off your car at the Hilo airport and fly home from there.
This saves you an entire day of backtracking. All major rental companies have locations at both airports and allow for one-way rentals. Just be sure to check for any one-way drop-off fees when you book.
Rental Cars: An Absolute Necessity
The Big Island is 4,028 square miles—roughly the size of Connecticut. Our public bus system, the Hele-On bus, is designed for commuters, not for sightseeing. Its routes and schedules are not practical for visitors. To have the freedom to explore the island's spread-out attractions, a rental car is non-negotiable.
Book your rental car the moment you book your flights, especially if you're traveling during a peak season. The island can, and frequently does, run out of rental cars. Waiting until the last minute can leave you stranded or paying exorbitant prices.
🚗 Transport Essentials
- Island Size: 4,028 sq mi
- Kona to Hilo: 90-150 min
- Rental Car: Required
- 4WD Needed: Usually No
- Airports: KOA & ITO
💡 Pro Tips
- • Book rental car when you book flights
- • Consider one-way rental (KOA to ITO)
- • Fill up gas before returning to Kona
- • Download offline maps for remote areas
🗺️ Travel Guide
The 4WD Question: Do You Really Need It?
This is a common question, and the answer for 95% of visitors is a clear no. A standard sedan or SUV will get you to almost every major beach, town, and attraction on the island, including the main areas of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.
However, a 4-wheel drive vehicle is absolutely mandatory for three specific, advanced adventures:
The Summit of Mauna Kea
To drive past the Visitor Information Station at 9,200 feet to the true summit at 13,796 feet, you are required to have a 4WD vehicle.
The road is steep, partially unpaved, and subject to extreme weather. Most rental car agreements explicitly forbid taking a standard car on this road.
Waipiʻo Valley
The road into this sacred and stunningly beautiful valley is one of the steepest in the United States.
Access is often restricted, but when it is open to the public, only 4WD vehicles are permitted.
Papakōlea (Green Sand Beach)
Reaching the actual beach requires a rugged 3-mile coastal trek.
While some people offer rides in their personal 4WD vehicles for a fee, you cannot drive a rental car there yourself.
Bottom Line:
If these specific adventures are on your must-do list, rent a 4WD Jeep. Otherwise, save your money and stick with a standard car. The vast majority of the Big Island's incredible attractions are accessible with a regular vehicle.