What is the cheapest month to fly to Hawaii?

Fares are usually lowest in late April, May, September, October and early November, between the spring break, summer and winter holiday peaks.

How far in advance should I book a flight to Hawaii?

About 2 to 4 months ahead for most trips, and 4 to 6 months ahead for the Christmas, New Year's and spring break weeks.

Which Hawaiian island is cheapest to visit?

Oahu is usually cheapest, because Honolulu has the most flights and hotels and you can get around without a rental car.

Is hurricane season a problem in Hawaii?

The Central Pacific hurricane season runs from June to November, but direct hits on the islands are rare. Travel insurance and free-cancellation bookings give you peace of mind.

Cheapest Time to Fly to Hawaii (and the Best Months to Go)

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Hawaii is warm all year, so the price of a trip depends far more on when everyone else wants to go than on the weather. Pick the right months and you can pay much less for the same flight, the same beach and the same sunset.

Hawaii's high and low seasons

Peak season: mid-December to March

Winter is the busiest time. Mainland travelers escape the cold, whale watching season is in full swing, and the big holiday weeks around Christmas and New Year's are the most expensive of the year. Book early if you must travel then.

Summer: June to August

School holidays bring families, and flights and hotels fill up. Summer is a great time for calm ocean conditions on many north-facing beaches, but it is not cheap.

Shoulder seasons: April to early June, September to mid-November

These are the sweet spots. Schools are in session, the weather is still excellent, and airlines and hotels have more empty seats and rooms. Fall falls within the Pacific hurricane season (June to November), but direct hits on the islands are rare. Buy travel insurance if it worries you.

Cheapest months to fly to Hawaii

Exact prices change every year, but the pattern is steady:

Usually cheapest: late April, May, September, October and early November
Usually moderate: early December (before the holidays) and early June
Usually most expensive: the Christmas and New Year's weeks, spring break, and July

For your own route, check the live calendar on the route page. For example, Los Angeles to Honolulu shows the cheapest month to fly from LA right now.

Which mainland airports have the cheapest flights?

The West Coast is closest, so it usually has the most flights and the lowest fares. Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, Seattle and Portland all have many nonstop flights to Honolulu and the neighbor islands. Phoenix, Las Vegas and Denver are good options in the interior.

From the East Coast and Midwest, flights are longer and pricier. It can be cheaper to buy a separate low fare to the West Coast and connect there, but leave plenty of time between flights if they are on separate tickets.

Popular routes:

Which island is cheapest?

Oahu (Honolulu and Waikiki) almost always has the most flights and the widest range of hotels, so it is usually the cheapest island to visit. You can also get around without a car thanks to buses, tours and rideshares.

Maui, Kauai and the Big Island have fewer flights and more resort-style hotels, so they tend to cost more. A popular money-saving plan is to fly into Honolulu, spend a few days on Oahu, then take a short inter-island flight.

How to save on the rest of your Hawaii trip

Hotels

Waikiki has hundreds of hotels at every price level. Staying a few blocks back from the beach can cost much less than an oceanfront tower. Compare prices on one map on our Honolulu hotels page, and check whether your hotel charges a daily resort fee, which can add up.

Rental cars

On the neighbor islands a car is close to essential, and rental cars can sell out in busy months. Book early through a comparison site like DiscoverCars, which searches many rental companies at once, and pick a deal with free cancellation so you can rebook if prices fall. See car rental in Honolulu and car rental in Maui.

Tours and activities

Snorkel trips, luau dinners and Pearl Harbor tours are highlights for many visitors. Compare options on Klook and our things to do in Honolulu page. Many tours offer free cancellation, which is useful if the weather turns.

Bottom line

Aim for late April to early June or September to mid-November, fly from the West Coast if you can, and start with Oahu for the most choice. Book flights 2 to 4 months ahead, and much earlier for the winter holidays.

Search flights to Hawaii

Frequently asked questions

What is the cheapest month to fly to Hawaii?: Fares are usually lowest in late April, May, September, October and early November, between the spring break, summer and winter holiday peaks.
How far in advance should I book a flight to Hawaii?: About 2 to 4 months ahead for most trips, and 4 to 6 months ahead for the Christmas, New Year's and spring break weeks.
Which Hawaiian island is cheapest to visit?: Oahu is usually cheapest, because Honolulu has the most flights and hotels and you can get around without a rental car.
Is hurricane season a problem in Hawaii?: The Central Pacific hurricane season runs from June to November, but direct hits on the islands are rare. Travel insurance and free-cancellation bookings give you peace of mind.