This Cheapest Time to Fly to Hawaii features our six-article guide. Read our new tips on Hawaii vacation deals, the best and worst dates to travel in 2020-2021, when to buy, and what prices to expect during all seasons, including holidays.
This, one of our most popular posts ever, has been read millions of times and has nearly 5 thousand comments and over 61,000 Facebook Likes. You’ll find questions and answers helpful to finding Hawaii vacation deals! Then add your comments and questions.
Post has been updated April 1, 2020. Due to the current circumstances, we will be providing a comprehensive update to this series soon. Subscribe to our free updates if you’d like to get the latest version. It will be distributed to email subscribers as soon as regular flights to and from Hawaii resume. Mahalo.
Read all the details on Southwest Hawaii flights.
Cheapest Time to Fly to Hawaii – What to Expect Throughout 2021.
Earlier this year we saw Hawaii flights on both United and Alaska for just $99 each way. Southwest outdid that by far with the mainland to Hawaii introductory fares of just $49 each way. It doesn’t get any better than that! These could return again so be sure to subscribe to our free email updates and be first to get Hawaii deals.
Great News for Value Hawaii vacations!
Flights to Hawaii remain at inflation-adjusted low prices and this is only going to get better – probably a lot better. That’s good news for 2020-2021 Hawaii vacations. Recent and upcoming competition and strong discounting on many routes result in cheaper than expected flights to Hawaii.
The two largest Hawaii air markets – Southern California and Northern California, continue to see improving sale pricing as a shakeup in competition is continuing to occur. These will only improve throughout 2020. Since California flights to Hawaii are highly impacted by Southwest, they should have the best airfares going forward.
Seattle and Portland have had intermittent competition as Delta competes with Alaska Airlines from the Pacific Northwest.
San Diego and Sacramento are seeing significant improvements in prices on flights to Hawaii and there may be new flights from those cities this year. These cities have flights from Southwest!
Start your Hawaii vacation planning now with our helpful guides below.
Six Articles To Help You Find Hawaii Deals
Best Airlines for Flights to Hawaii Updated
Best Time to Visit for Hawaii Deals in 2020-2021
Flights to Hawaii – Updated Costs by Region 2020-2021
Cheapest Cities for Hawaii Flights and Costs
Questions and Comments.
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E Komo Mai (Welcome). Mahalo and A Hui Hou!
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James M. says
Recently, I received an email from you stating flights to Hawaii from as low as $139. The best I could find was LAX to HNL for around $600 round trip. Where do you get your info? Also, showing those flights would be helpful. Thx
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi James.
There is limited availability of $159 each way on that route in February and March on Hawaiian. You need to use monthly fare calendar to find them.
Aloha.
Amy M says
Hi! We are planning to fly from RDU to HNL (Sept 30th – Oct 9) The plan is:
RDU to west coast on Sept 30
West coast to HNL on Oct 1
HNL to west coast on Oct 8
West coast to RDU on Oct 9
1. Any advise on cheapest city to fly out of to HNL?
2. Best deals still around 90 days out?
Thanks for any help you can give me.
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Amy.
Good plan, and yes about 90 days in advance is generally best price. San Jose is probably the best bet for good pricing.
Aloha.
Gary M. says
We will be traveling from San Diego to Hawaii this June and staying for a few weeks. Our dates are extremely flexible and we are searching for the best options in airfare. On our trip, we plan to split our time between Maui and the Big Island. I figured we would purchase one-way tickets and then island hop while in Hawaii. However, one-way tickets seem to be considerably more than round-trip deals that I can find at this time. Is it worth buying a round-trip ticket from San Diego to Maui and then island-hop to Kona and back to Maui before returning to San Diego? We are flexible on what island we visit first also so would you recommend visiting one before the other? Please any thoughts or suggestions about this would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Gary.
Pretty much all of the fares we see on Alaska, Hawaiian and Southwest can be purchased as one-way for half the price of round trip. Your plan is a good one as it saves a lot of time to not have to backtrack If you want the best fare, you need to complete your trip by June 11 or even sooner.
Aloha.
Ben S says
Would you please advise us on when we should start looking at prices and which airlines for a vacation in September 2020. We are looking to fly from JFK to the west coast and then west coast to Honolulu, Hawaii. Returning back two weeks later to JFK by way of the west coast. We do not want direct flights either way. Thank you in advance for your knowledgeable advice.
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Ben.
It will generally be best priced about three months in advance. The airline choice is up to you. Alaska, Hawaiian, Southwest, or the other carriers. Expect to pay under $600 RT.
Aloha.
Joe K. says
We have a week stay in Kauai from May 24th to 31st. When should we buy our tickets from either LAX, Long Beach or San Diego departure airports?
Bill N says
Hello, we are traveling to Kauai from Albany,NY on May 22nd to June 7th, 2020 and would like to know, please, when would be the best time to book our flights. Doesn’t matter what airline we fly. There are 3 couples in our group. We want to get the best rate possible.
Thank you for your advice,
Bill
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Bill.
Currently priced at over $1k. Possibility for it to come down to high $700’s. If that happens look for that about 90 days in advance. You’re traveling on weekend days so that will always be more costly.
Aloha.
Tom J. says
Hi there, we are looking to travel next October (20th to 31st) to Maui from Las Vegas or LA. When would the best time to buy flights be? I understand they’re not available until at least 330 days before date of travel…
I wonder if it’s best to hold from booking if there will be lower fares released in early 2020?
Thanks as always,
Tom J
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Tom.
Best pricing is usually found about 90 days in advance of travel, so not in early 2020. Also keep in mind your return is a Saturday which will be more expensive.
Aloha.
Alana says
Hi! We were able to get a great deal on our last flights thanks to your advice! 🙂 I would appreciate your thoughts please on whether to buy now or wait. I’m looking at flights from LAX-OGG around 4/1-4/14. I’m looking to book Hawaiian Airlines round trip or at least one way because I some miles I want to use. I’ve been tracking our usual flight (and others) for a while. For main cabin (not main cabin basic), prices were hovering around $538, then dropped to $458, now up to $478. I’ve never traveled to Hawaii during spring break so not sure if this is a good price. Thank you in advance!
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Alana.
It’s an unusual competitive environment, so it is hard to say what is good under the circumstances. Normal years you’d expect to pay closer to $700. So the price is good, and thats all we can say at the moment.
Aloha.
Alana says
Thank you for your response!
Sherry D. says
Hello from Arizona. We are looking at flying from Phoenix to Maui at the end of May of next year. Do you think the prices will drop (currently around $450ish)? We flew to Maui this past summer, for about $350 each-we enjoyed Maui so much, we want to visit again. I read in one of your comment sections to wait until about 4-6 months before buying airline tickets. Is that ususally the case? I really enjoy reading the Beat of Hawaii and appreciate all the info. Mahalo, Sherry D.
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Sherry.
Can’t say for sure but if you’re flying mid-week then probably no harm in waiting until about 3 or 4 months in advance. On the other hand, we don’t see much competitive pressure that would reduce fares by much.
Aloha.
Linda H. says
Hello,
I am looking for a one way flight from Boston – Kona on Feb 15 or 16th. The flights WERE cheaper in September but have gone up and I’m wondering if they will continue to do so or if they will come back down. One way direct ranges from $488 – $650. But this is also our February vacation week.
I have been watching flights between Hawaiian and American and wonder with such a long flight, which would be the best. If I took a night flight, I would have 2 stops vs. one if I traveled in the morning.
Any assistance you can give would be appreciated.
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Linda.
Saturday/Sunday isn’t going to be cheap but Sunday would be better. No harm in waiting with a target of about $400. How you do it is your personal preference. Whether to divide it up or get the bulk of it over with on one flight. We’d probably opt for the latter.
Aloha.
Linda H. says
Thank you so much for your input! So waiting to book may get me a less expensive flight? I keep getting worried when I see the flights continue to climb in price. Would there be a certain time that you suggest I book by?
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Linda.
We’d suggest booking 60 days in advance.
Aloha.
Teresa says
Aloha, please give me your advice. We are traveling from Charlotte NC on May 30th to Oahu, then returning from Maui on June 13th. Based on what I read here, our return trip is in peak season. How long should we wait before booking? Should we do it soon since the return trip is in peak season or wait until about 60 days out to see if the prices drop. We plan to use Hawaiian Air miles to get from Oahu to Maui but I have priced it all kind of ways (multi city for all including the interisland leg, round trip from CLT to HNL and with a round trip from HNL to OGG, but none of the ways seem to have an advantage. I’ve even looked at CLT to LAS or SFO and then from there to HNL but it doesn’t save enough to be worth the extra hassle, at least not right now. Our dates are Saturday to Saturday, I know that doesn’t help me. Mahalo for your advice!
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Teresa.
Your entire trip is in high season given that you are flying out on a Saturday and not mid-week. Suggest buying soon with a target price of about $1,100 RT.
Aloha.
Tonya says
Hello, Any secret to flight deals during Christmas? Our family of four. Arranging everyone’s vacations is a challenge, so we are tied to Dec 26, 2020 thru Jan 3, 2021. SAN, LAX or LGB to HNL. We prefer direct, so no Southwest (yet). I read here we should look to book starting in January. Are we doomed to $900 per person? Should I get a Hawaiian credit card to buy with points? Thank you for your useful website!
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Tonya.
Yes you are doomed to high prices at the holidays, which from those locations are in that $700+ RT range. Getting flights using points will either be impossible or very costly too.
Aloha.
mary m. says
just snagged a roundy from sacramento to honolulu late feb thru early march for 286, and this is main cabin NOT basic economy. woohoo, thanks to southwest for the competition
Amber says
Hello. We are planning our first family trip to Hawaii next year. (3 adults, 3 kids). Could you give me an idea of best time to go for prices between Sept and Dec? I know they fluctuate, but I am trying to at least narrow down the month. Any advice is appreciated.
Thank you!
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Amber.
Midweek is always best. Then just stay away from Thanksgiving and return by 1st week of December.
Aloha.
Rene says
Aloha Jeff and Rob,
It is finally that time again when we get to plan our island vacation. We just confirmed a week on Kauai, May 31 – June 7(or 6/9), 2020. We will likely look to extend the trip by a couple of nights since 7 days is never enough, and airfare is usually cheaper on Tuesdays than it is on Sundays. Traveling with 6 adults out of San Jose, Oakland or San Francisco. Currently San Jose has round trip at about $508. When is the latest we should book our flights and what should we expect to pay? In the past, Hawaiian Air has been the best deal for us.
Our trip to Kauai this past November was amazing. Woke up to watching turtles head back into the water after a good night sleep, and monk seals playing before they headed to the beach for a 10 hour nap. Even more amazing was the fact that other folks out prior to sunrise knew they needed to be respectful and maintain enough distance to avoid bothering the turtles and monk seals.
Thanks so much for your website and your feedback. Your content plus other reader comments sure does help one prepare.
Mahalo nui loa
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Rene.
Thank you! A couple of complications related to your dates. So moreover for next spring, we should see great deals in the bay area to Kauai market and we wouldn’t be surprised to see $99 fares again on occasion, and then $139 with regularity. So back to the problem. May 31 is the end of the holiday week, and that might well preclude deals. Your return date should be okay, but it does pushe up against summer. So while prices should be good, airlines may wait to discount those days. It is hard to predict, but it seems like you should be able to work with a $400 or so target price. Not sure how long you’ll have to wait, but it is likely to work out if you do. Let us know.
Aloha.
Rene says
Got it! Thanks for the info and an estimate for a target price. If I find fares within the $400 range, I will certainly share with you.
One additional question. Many of the return flights include a layover on Maui. What would be the minimum layover to have time to leave the airport and catch some Maui sun? I haven’t been there in over 20 years and can’t remember how far the airport is from everything.
Thanks again for the amazing content on your site. Truly something for everyone.
Mahalo
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Rene.
Thanks! There is a beach that is walking distance from the terminal if that’s the kind of outing you have in mind.
Aloha.
Cindy G says
Hello! My daugher is on Oahu at UH, and will be coming home to Portland for winter break on 12/21. Alaska is usually our best airline deal, but when is the best time to buy this roundtrip ticket? Should I wait, or will prices just start climbing?
DL says
I have a question or two, looking at your $99.00/person starting January 21, 2020 showing planes arriving on Hawaiian Islands every three days! so if I am only planning to be in Hawaii seven days my question is how often to you have plane departing? Or do I need to plan to depart on day nine?
Do all flights depart from California for the $99.00 fare? extra cost from point A (other location then California) than to point B (California)
mike says
Flying from Sacramento to Kona, Kona to Maui, Maui back to Sacramento (multi flights) in Feb 2020.
The cheapest I have found is $526pp, should I wait or buy now?
thank you in advance…mike
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Mike.
We do expect more sales for Sacramento. Not sure what your price is comprised of but you’ll probably pay up to $160 trans-Pacific and up to $39 interisland during sales.
Aloha.
Bridgette A says
Hello – Traveling from LAX to HNL 10/3-10/6/19 – Wondering if you suspect low fares within next 2 wks?
Lynn R. says
We are flying to Kona on Feb. 27 and returning to LA on Mar. 6. I have been watching airfares and hoping for a little discount. Is there any possibility of a reduced airfare during that time from any of the airlines that fly there? Most of the discounted flights have ended before February. Please let me know if you think I should wait for the possibility of a lower rate or just book it now.
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Lynn.
There is a high likelihood of the price coming down if you want. Possibly by as much as $150 RT. Could happen in next several months. Availability will not be an issue.
Aloha.