For a thousand years, Hawaiians crossed the channels between their islands by voyaging canoe, reading the swells and the stars. Today almost everyone flies. There is no car ferry, no ferry from Oʻahu to Maui, and only one passenger boat in the whole state. Here is how island hopping actually works in 2026, what it costs, and how to decide whether it is worth it.
Why there is no ferry
The channels between the Hawaiian Islands are some of the roughest stretches of water in the Pacific. The trade winds funnel between the mountains and pile up big seas, especially in the Kaiwi Channel between Oʻahu and Molokaʻi and the ʻAlenuihāhā Channel between Maui and the Big Island.
A car ferry, the Hawaii Superferry, linked Oʻahu, Maui and Kauaʻi in 2007–2009, but it stopped after a court ruled that the state should have carried out an environmental review first. The Molokaʻi Princess ferry between Maui and Molokaʻi stopped in 2016 after ridership fell. Since then, flying has been the only way to travel between most islands.
Flying between the islands
Inter-island flights are short and frequent. Hawaiian Airlines, fully integrated into Alaska Airlines in 2026, runs the main network between Honolulu, Kahului (Maui), Līhuʻe (Kauaʻi), Kona and Hilo, plus direct neighbour-island routes. Southwest also flies between the main islands, although it cut its Hawaii flying twice in 2025. Mokulele Airlines flies small propeller planes to Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi, Kapalua and other small airports, often with spectacular low-level views.
Flights last about 30–50 minutes in the air. Honolulu is the hub: many neighbour-island trips, for example Kauaʻi to the Big Island, connect there.
What island hopping costs in 2026
Island hopping has become much more expensive. When jet fuel prices roughly doubled during the 2026 Middle East conflict, airlines passed the cost on through fuel surcharges. In April 2026 a family reported paying about $150 per person each way from Honolulu to Hilo, and a Honolulu–Maui round trip was quoted at more than $600 for a school group. In May 2026, Līhuʻe–Honolulu cost about $230 round trip per person for June travel. Midweek sales from around $70 one way still appear, but the famous $39 fares are gone.
Add checked bag fees, which have also risen, and the time cost: getting to the airport, security, the flight, collecting a new rental car. A single hop easily takes half a day. For a couple, one island hop often costs $400–700 in flights and fees.
The one ferry: Maui to Lānaʻi
The only scheduled passenger ferry in Hawaii is run by Expeditions between Māʻalaea Harbor on Maui and Mānele Harbor on Lānaʻi. It makes three round trips a day and takes about 1 hour 15 minutes each way. It is a popular day trip from Maui: you can snorkel at Hulopoʻe Bay, a marine reserve where spinner dolphins often visit, and in winter you may see humpback whales on the crossing.
Expeditions has struggled since the pandemic and the 2023 Lahaina wildfire, which destroyed one of its boats. Maui County plans to take over the route, with a county-run Lānaʻi service targeted for mid-2027 and a restored Molokaʻi ferry around 2029. Check the schedule before you plan a day trip.
Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi
Lānaʻi and Molokaʻi are the quiet islands, with few roads, small towns and very little development. Lānaʻi can be reached by ferry or a short flight; Molokaʻi only by air, usually on Mokulele from Honolulu or Kahului. Visits to the historic Kalaupapa peninsula on Molokaʻi are by guided National Park Service hike only. Read our island guides to Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi.
The best island combinations
| Combination | Best for | Suggested time |
|---|---|---|
| Oʻahu + Maui | First trip: city and history, then beaches and Haleakalā | 10–12 days |
| Oʻahu + Kauaʻi | Waikīkī plus wild cliffs and quiet beaches | 10–12 days |
| Maui + Big Island | Whales, volcanoes and resorts | 12–14 days |
| Maui + Lānaʻi (ferry) | A day trip from Maui | 1 day |
| Big Island alone | Two bases: Kona and Hilo | 8–10 days |
Unless you have two weeks, one or two islands is usually better than three. Every extra island takes a day out of your holiday. Our guide to how many days you need explains how to split the time.
Tips for a smooth island hop
- Fly in to one island and out of another (an "open jaw" ticket) to avoid backtracking.
- Book inter-island flights early and compare carriers; fares rise sharply close to the date.
- Travel light. Bag fees on inter-island flights add up for families.
- Fly mid-morning, leaving time to return your car and check in.
- Sit on the right side leaving Honolulu for Maui, and watch for Molokaʻi's sea cliffs; on clear days the views are superb.
- Agricultural rules apply between islands too: do not carry plants, soil or fruit from one island to another.
Quick answers
Is there a ferry between the Hawaiian islands?
Only one: the Expeditions passenger ferry between Māʻalaea on Maui and Mānele Bay on Lānaʻi, about 75 minutes each way. There is no ferry between Oʻahu, Maui, Kauaʻi and the Big Island.
How much are inter-island flights in Hawaii?
In 2026 one-way fares have often cost around $150–300 after jet fuel prices spiked, although midweek sales still appear from about $70. The $39 fare sales of past years are gone.
Which airlines fly between the Hawaiian islands?
Hawaiian Airlines, now part of Alaska Airlines, flies the main routes, alongside Southwest. Mokulele Airlines flies small planes to Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi and smaller airports such as Kapalua.
How long is a flight between the Hawaiian islands?
Most inter-island flights last 30–50 minutes in the air. With check-in, security and travel to the airport, plan on half a day for each hop.
How many islands should you visit in one trip?
One island for a week, two islands for 10–14 days. Each extra island costs two flights, another rental car and half a day of travel.
More planning guides: passports and entry, do you need a car?, island hopping, packing list, packing for kids, is it safe right now? and hurricane season.
Facts checked October 2026. Rules, fares and closures change, so confirm with the official source before you travel.
