How Long Is the Flight to Hawaii? (From Major US Cities)

The Hawaiian islands are 2,000 miles from the west coast of the US mainland, so it’s a long flight.

Cities on the West Coast typically have the shortest flight times, around 5 hours and 30 minutes to 6 hours. However, flights from the East Coast can often take between 10 to 12 hours.

Below are the flight times from major US cities to Hawaii. However, keep in mind that the exact flight time will vary depending on:

  • Jet stream
  • Weather conditions
  • Direct or indirect flights
  • The Hawaiian island you’re travelling to

San Francisco, CA

The shortest flight to Hawaii from the US mainland is from San Francisco, California. The flight takes 5 hours 30 minutes.

Los Angeles, CA

Los Angeles is one of the closest cities to Hawaii on the US mainland. The flight from LAX Airport takes 6 hours.

San Diego, CA

Again, being on the West Coast, San Diego is also one of the closest cities on the US mainland to Hawaii. The flight takes 6 hours and 15 minutes.

Dallas, TX

A direct flight from Dallas, Texas, to Hawaii takes 8 hours and 20 minutes.

Chicago, IL

A direct flight from Chicago, Illinois, to Hawaii takes 8 hours and 30 minutes.

Phoenix, AZ

A direct flight from Phoenix, Arizona, to Hawaii is 6 hours and 45 minutes.

Houston, TX

There are no direct flights from Houston, Texas, to any of the islands in Hawaii. Instead, you’ll either need to take a flight with a layover or fly from Dallas, which does have direct flights.

The flight from Houston to Hawaii will take between 10 and 14 hours with a stop.

Orlando, FL

There are no direct flights from Orlando, Florida, to any of the islands in Hawaii. Instead, you’ll have to stop. Popular transport airports on this route include;

  • San Diego
  • New York City
  • Phoenix

The flight from Orlando to Hawaii takes between 11 and 15 hours with a stop.

New York City, NY

The longest direct flights from the US mainland to Hawaii are from New York City. However, these direct flights only operate from JFK Airport to Oahu. The direct flight from New York City to Hawaii takes 11 hours.

There are indirect flights available from Newark and LaGuardia with a layover in:

  • Boston
  • Detroit
  • Denver

The indirect flights from New York City to Hawaii take between 11 and 14 hours.

Indianapolis, IN

There are no direct flights from Indianapolis, Indiana, to Hawaii. Instead, indirect flights take between 11 and 14 hours.

Atlanta, GA

A direct flight from Atlanta, Georgia, to Hawaii takes 9 hours and 30 minutes.

However, direct flights from Atlanta to Hawaii cost about three times as much as indirect flights. If you’re travelling to Hawaii on a budget, it’s worth taking indirect flights.

Indirect flights from Atlanta, Georgia, to Hawaii take between 11 and 15 hours. Popular transport airports on this route include;

  • Phoenix
  • Dallas
  • Seattle

Denver, CO

A direct flight from Boston, Massachusetts, to Hawaii takes 11 hours.

Boston, MA

A direct flight from Boston, Massachusetts, to Hawaii takes 7 hours.

Seattle, WA

Seattle, Washington, is one of the closest cities to Hawaii on the US mainland. The flight takes 6 hours.

Miami, FL

There are no direct flights from Miami, Florida, to any of the islands in Hawaii. Instead, you’ll have to stop. Popular transport airports on this route include;

  • Houston
  • Denver
  • Los Angeles

The flight from Miami to Hawaii will take between 12 and 15 hours with a stop.

Nashville, TN

There are no direct flights from Nashville, Tennessee, to any of the islands in Hawaii. Instead, you’ll have to stop. Popular transport airports on this route include;

  • Denver
  • Dallas
  • San Francisco

The flight from Nashville to Hawaii will take between 11 and 14 hours with a stop.

Oahu Travel Planning Guide

🏥 Should I Buy Travel Insurance for a Trip to Oahu?

Yes, you should definitely buy travel insurance for any vacation to Oahu. Basic travel insurance coverage with Safety Wing averages between $5 – $10 per day and offers peace of mind.

🚘 Do I Need to Rent a Car for a Trip to Oahu?

I would recommend hiring a car for a trip to Oahu. Even if it’s only for a couple of days of your vacation. I personally use Discover Cars to find the best car rental deals.

However, if you are on a tight budget or you don’t plan to explore much of the island then you, then you may want to consider comparing the cost and convenience of Uber and rental cars in Oahu instead.

🏨 Where to Stay in Oahu?

The vast majority of accommodation in Oahu is located in Waikiki. If you enjoy shopping, then you may want to stay further north by the Ala Moana Shopping Mall.

Alternatively, if you’re looking to spend your vacation at the beach, then consider staying as close to Waikiki Beach as possible.

When booking accommodation in Oahu, I use either Booking.com or Hotels.com. However, for large families and groups, VRBO is my number one choice.

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