Getting around · Big Island (Hawaiʻi) · United States
Getting around Big Island (Hawaiʻi)
Public transport, passes, airport connections and when a car makes sense.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Pictured: ʻAkaka Falls State Park, Big Island (Hawaiʻi) · Photo: Dllu, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
The Big Island is large and public transport is limited, so a hire car is essential for most visitors. The Daniel K. Inouye Highway (Saddle Road) crosses between Kona and Hilo, and the coastal Hawaiʻi Belt Road circles the island. Yes.
Key facts
- Main way around
- Car
- Airports
- KOA, ITO
- Need a car?
- Sometimes
- Travel pass
- America the Beautiful pass
Plan a trip to Big Island (Hawaiʻi)
Compare flights, places to stay and rental cars, then book with the provider you choose.
Ways to get around
Car
Hire a car from Kona or Hilo airport; driving from Kona to Hilo over the Saddle Road takes about 1.5 hours, and Kona to the national park about 2.5 hours via the south.
Many rental contracts restrict driving above the Maunakea visitor station; a four-wheel drive is needed for the summit.
Bus
The county's Hele-On bus runs a limited network between towns, useful for budget travellers but not for reaching most sights.
Ride-hailing
Uber and Lyft operate around Kailua-Kona and Hilo, but are scarce elsewhere and impractical for sightseeing.
Boat
Snorkel, dolphin, whale and manta tours leave from Honokōhau Harbor, Keauhou Bay and the Kohala Coast.
Tickets and passes
America the Beautiful pass
The US national parks annual pass covers vehicle entry to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes and other national park sites on the island.
From the airport
Kona International Airport (KOA) is about 11 km north of Kailua-Kona and roughly 30 minutes from the Kohala resorts. Hilo International Airport (ITO) is 3 km from downtown Hilo and about 45 minutes from the national park. Both have hire car desks.
Do you need a car?
Yes. Distances are long, sights are spread out and public transport is very limited; a car is the only practical way to explore.
Reaching the day trips
| Destination | Travel time | How |
|---|---|---|
| Volcano day from Kona | About 2.5 hours each way by car | Hire car via the southern route, or a guided tour |
| Hilo and the Hāmākua Coast from Kona | About 1.5–2 hours each way by car | Hire car |
| North Kohala and Pololū Valley | About 1.25 hours each way by car | Hire car |
| South Point and Green Sand Beach | About 2 hours each way by car | Hire car |
Questions travellers ask
+Do you need a car in Big Island (Hawaiʻi)?
Yes. Distances are long, sights are spread out and public transport is very limited; a car is the only practical way to explore.
+How do you get from the airport to Big Island (Hawaiʻi)?
Kona International Airport (KOA) is about 11 km north of Kailua-Kona and roughly 30 minutes from the Kohala resorts. Hilo International Airport (ITO) is 3 km from downtown Hilo and about 45 minutes from the national park. Both have hire car desks.
+What is the best way to get around Big Island (Hawaiʻi)?
Car: Hire a car from Kona or Hilo airport; driving from Kona to Hilo over the Saddle Road takes about 1.5 hours, and Kona to the national park about 2.5 hours via the south.