When you finally get a chance to take that dream vacation to Hawai’i, you’ll probably want to make the most of it and visit as many different places on the islands as possible. The island of Maui and the city of Honolulu (on the island of O’ahu) are two of the most popular tourist destinations in the Aloha State, so people planning a trip to Hawai’i often want to know what is the best way to get from one island to another. In this post, we’ll explain how visitors can travel from Maui to O’ahu, maximizing their trip experience and allowing them to see even more of what these beautiful places have to offer.

Two Travel Options – By Air or By Water

Since Maui and Honolulu are located on two different islands without any type of land connection like a bridge, there’s really only two ways to get from one island to the other…by air or by water:

By Air

Flying is probably the quickest and easiest way to get from Maui to Honolulu. Maui has three airports that offer flight service to Honolulu – Kahului (OGG), Kapalua (JHM), and Hana (HNM) – but only Kahului offers major passenger flights. Kapalua and Hana are smaller airports that cater to commercial air traffic and commuter/air taxi services, but have much less flight availability (especially Hana). Depending on where you are on the island of Maui, any of these three airports can get you to Honolulu if you’re willing to pay the price.

By Water

The other option to get from Maui to Honolulu, O’ahu is by water. People used to be able to accomplish this by ferry using the Hawaiian Superferry, but it was shut down back in 2009 due to environmental concerns of local residents and competing interest groups. While commercial and vehicle ferries still operate from island to island (you might be able to catch a ride on a vehicle ferry if you’re also using it to transport a vehicle, but that’s not guaranteed), there are no passenger ferries currently available to travel from O’ahu to Maui. That leaves travel via private boat, cruise ship, or good ol’ swimming (we do not suggest the latter). Private boats or cruise ships are both fun travel experiences, but can take quite a long time and be just as costly as flying.

The Need for More Island-to-Island Travel Options

Traveling from island to island around the state of Hawai’i can be a bit difficult, and it’s clear that more travel options are needed. The increase in natural disasters, such as the sprawling 2023 Hawai’i wildfires that affected much of Maui, make travel options even scarcer. We suggest planning transportation well ahead of time, including reserving flight and other tickets at least a few months in advance of the actual trip. This will help you get the lowest prices possible while still ensuring you’re able to bounce from place to place on your desired schedule. Planning is the key to the most enjoyable trip to Hawai’i possible.

Experience Maui Like a Local

If you’re planning a trip to beautiful Maui, there’s no better time than now. With so much to do and see, Maui is brimming with natural wonders and social experiences like no other. While you’re here, don’t miss out on one of the most breathtaking ways to see Maui’s landscape – a bike tour on stunning Mount Haleakala. Choose from either a guided or self-paced bike tour, with options to ride pre-dawn, at sunrise, or during the day. For more information on our awe-inspiring Haleakala bike tours, visit our website, call us at 808-877-4944, or email info@mountainriders.com.