Two Airports, One Big Island
Hawaiʻi Island has two commercial airports, and which one you fly into shapes your entire trip. Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport (KOA) serves the sunny west side — the Kohala Coast resorts, Kailua-Kona town, and the coffee belt. Hilo International Airport (ITO) serves the east side — Hilo's historic downtown, the Hāmākua Coast, and Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.
Most travelers default to Kona because it's the more familiar name and the resort corridor is well-known. But if you're planning to spend meaningful time in Hilo or at the volcano — which I strongly recommend — flying into Hilo first and out of Kona at the end of your trip is a much smarter approach. You avoid backtracking, and you get to experience the island in a natural arc from east to west.
The two airports are roughly 90 to 100 miles apart by road, depending on which route you take. That's not far on a map, but the drive takes anywhere from two to two and a half hours — and the landscape between them is extraordinary.
KOA
Ellison Onizuka Kona International
West side. Kohala Coast resorts, Kailua-Kona town, coffee belt. More nonstop mainland service.
ITO
Hilo International Airport
East side. Hilo town, Hāmākua Coast, Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Fewer direct mainland flights.
Flying from the Mainland
Many travelers assume they need to connect through Honolulu to reach Hawaiʻi Island. That's often not the case. Several mainland cities have nonstop service directly to Kona (KOA), and nonstop options to Hilo (ITO) exist as well, though they tend to be more limited and can vary by season and carrier.
It's worth checking both airports when you search — not just Kona. A nonstop flight to Hilo, if available from your departure city, can save you a connection and get you to the east side of the island without the extra travel time. Routes and schedules change, so I'd encourage you to search broadly and verify current availability before making assumptions.
Inter-island flights from Honolulu to both Kona and Hilo are frequent and short — typically under an hour. If you're combining Hawaiʻi Island with time on another island, connecting through Honolulu is straightforward and often inexpensive.
The Multi-City Advantage
One of the most practical things you can do when planning a Big Island trip is to book a multi-city itinerary: fly into one airport and depart from the other. This is especially useful if you're spending time on both the east and west sides of the island.
The most natural sequence is to fly into Hilo (ITO), spend your first days on the east side — Hilo town, the Hāmākua Coast, and Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park — then drive across the island and depart from Kona (KOA) after time on the Kohala Coast. The reverse works equally well depending on your routing from home.
Booking open-jaw flights like this is straightforward on most booking platforms and airlines. The fare is usually comparable to a round-trip, and the logistics are simpler than driving back across the island to catch your return flight.
The natural arc: Fly into Hilo (ITO) → explore the east side → drive across the island → depart from Kona (KOA). Or reverse it, depending on your routing from home.
Three Ways Across the Island
When it comes time to drive between Hilo and Kona, you have three main options. Each has its own character and its own reasons to choose it.
01
The Northern Route — Through Waimea
The northern route takes you up through the Hāmākua Coast and into Waimea, the cool upcountry town at the heart of the island's ranching country. From there you descend to the Kohala Coast. This is the most scenic option — rolling green hills, ocean views, and a very different landscape from either coast. It's also the route that passes closest to the Kohala resorts if that's your destination. Allow extra time; this road rewards those who stop.
02
The Saddle Road — Daniel K. Inouye Highway
The Saddle Road cuts directly across the middle of the island between Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa, at elevations that can exceed 6,500 feet. It's the most direct route between Hilo and Kona — significantly faster than either coastal option. The road has been substantially improved in recent years and is now a well-maintained highway. The landscape is stark and otherworldly: lava fields, high-altitude scrub, and on clear days, views of both summits. Worth doing at least once. Note that some rental car agreements historically restricted use of the Saddle Road; confirm your rental terms before you go.
03
The Southern Route — Around the Bottom
The southern route is the longest of the three, looping around the southern tip of the island through Ka Lae — the southernmost point in the United States — and the black sand beach at Punalu'u. It's not the most efficient choice for simply getting from one side to the other, but if you have time and want to see the south coast, it's a worthwhile detour. The green sand beach at Papakolea is also accessible from this route, though reaching it requires a hike or a shuttle from the parking area.
Rental Cars & Practical Considerations
A rental car is essentially required on Hawaiʻi Island. Unlike Oʻahu, there's no meaningful public transit, and the distances between attractions are too great for rideshare to be practical for most of the trip. Book early — inventory on the Big Island can be tight, especially during peak travel periods.
If you're flying into one airport and out of the other, you'll need a one-way rental. Most major rental companies offer this, but one-way drop fees can apply and vary significantly by company and season. It's worth comparing options and factoring this into your budget when you plan.
A standard car handles most of the island's roads without issue. The main exceptions are the road into Waipio Valley — extremely steep, four-wheel drive recommended — and any unpaved access roads to remote beaches or trailheads. For most itineraries, a standard sedan or small SUV is perfectly adequate.
One practical note on driving times: distances on the Big Island look manageable on a map, but the roads are often two-lane and the speed limits are moderate. Build in more time than you think you need, especially if you plan to stop along the way — and you will want to stop.
Our Suggested Five-Night Itinerary
For travelers who want to experience both sides of the island without feeling rushed, five nights is a good baseline. Here's how we'd structure it.
Nights 1–2: Hilo & Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
Fly into Hilo. Spend your first afternoon exploring downtown — the farmers market if timing allows, the bayfront, a good dinner. On day two, drive to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park for a full day: the Kīlauea caldera, the Thurston Lava Tube, the Chain of Craters Road. Stay in Hilo or near the park. Read more in our Hilo & Volcano guide.
Read: Hilo & Volcano →Day 3: Drive Across the Island
Take the northern route through Waimea or the Saddle Road, depending on your pace and interests. Stop in Waimea for lunch if you're taking the northern route. Arrive on the Kohala Coast or in Kona by mid-afternoon. This transition day is one of the most interesting drives in Hawaiʻi.
Nights 3–5: Kona & the Kohala Coast
Three nights on the west side gives you time for a manta ray dive, a morning in Kailua-Kona town, a coffee farm visit, and genuine relaxation at your resort. Depart from Kona (KOA). Read more in our Kona & the Kohala Coast guide.
Read: Kona & the Kohala Coast →This is a framework, not a fixed schedule. The right pacing depends on your travel style, your group, and what matters most to you. Some travelers will want more time at the volcano; others will want an extra day at the resort. I'm happy to help you adjust.
Who Should Stay Longer?
Five nights is a solid introduction to the Big Island, but it's not the only way to do it. Some travelers will want more time, and the island rewards those who aren't in a hurry.
Families with young children often benefit from a slower pace — fewer transitions, more time at the beach, and the flexibility to follow the kids' energy rather than a fixed schedule. Seven nights, split between the two sides, tends to work well.
Golfers should plan for at least a night or two extra on the Kohala Coast. The courses here are exceptional, and trying to fit in a round while also doing everything else on the island leads to a rushed experience.
Nature lovers and hikers could easily spend a week on the east side alone — the national park, the Hāmākua Coast, the rainforest trails, and the remote beaches of the south coast all deserve more time than a two-night stay allows.
And for travelers who simply want to slow down — a resort stay with no agenda, long mornings, and unhurried evenings — the Kohala Coast is one of the best places in Hawaiʻi to do exactly that. Five nights minimum; seven is better.