Aerial view of Hawaii coastline
Home/Plan Your Trip

Travel Resources

Plan Your
Hawaii Trip

Trusted partners for every part of your journey — from the first flight search to the last kayak paddle. All recommendations are based on genuine experience.

Affiliate disclosure: Hawaii Travel Expert earns a commission when you book through our links, at no additional cost to you. We only recommend services we would use ourselves. Our editorial recommendations are never influenced by affiliate relationships.

Partner Resources

Tours & Activities

Helicopter rides, snorkel cruises, luaus, cultural experiences, and guided adventures across all four islands.

Most Popular

Tours & Activities

Viator

The largest selection of Hawaii tours, activities, and experiences — from helicopter rides over Kauai to snorkel cruises off Maui. Read verified reviews and book with free cancellation on most experiences.

  • Helicopter tours
  • Snorkel & dive cruises
  • Luaus & cultural experiences
  • Hiking & adventure tours

Tours & Activities

GetYourGuide

Curated experiences with instant confirmation and mobile tickets. Strong selection of small-group tours, food tours, and off-the-beaten-path adventures across all four islands.

  • Small-group tours
  • Food & culinary tours
  • Sunset sails
  • Whale watching (seasonal)
Local Favorites

Local Experiences

Airbnb Experiences

Hosted by local experts — surfers, chefs, cultural practitioners, and naturalists. The best way to experience Hawaii beyond the resort bubble.

  • Surfing lessons with locals
  • Traditional Hawaiian cooking
  • Stargazing on Mauna Kea
  • Taro farm visits

Partner Resources

Hotels & Resorts

From boutique north shore hideaways to world-class oceanfront resorts — every island, every budget.

Best Rates

Hotels & Resorts

Hotels.com

Compare rates across every hotel, resort, and vacation rental in Hawaii. Earn a free night for every ten nights booked through the rewards program.

  • Price match guarantee
  • Free cancellation options
  • Rewards program
  • All islands covered

Hotels & Resorts

Booking.com

Extensive inventory of hotels, boutique properties, and vacation rentals. Genius loyalty discounts available on thousands of Hawaii properties.

  • Genius loyalty discounts
  • No booking fees
  • Instant confirmation
  • Boutique & luxury options
Best for Families

Vacation Rentals

Vrbo

Whole-home vacation rentals across all four islands. Ideal for families, groups, and longer stays — many properties include full kitchens, private pools, and ocean views.

  • Whole-home rentals
  • Private pools & lanais
  • Ideal for families
  • Long-stay discounts

Partner Resources

Flights to Hawaii

Find the best fares to Honolulu, Kahului, Lihue, and Kona from anywhere in the world.

Best Search Tool

Flights

Google Flights

The most powerful flight search tool available. Track prices over time, explore flexible date options, and find the lowest fares to all four major Hawaii airports.

  • Price tracking alerts
  • Flexible date search
  • All airlines compared
  • Direct & connecting routes
Home Carrier

Flights

Hawaiian Airlines

Hawaii's home carrier offers the most direct routes from the mainland, the most inter-island flights, and a travel experience that begins the moment you board. HawaiianMiles rewards program.

  • Most mainland routes
  • Inter-island flights
  • HawaiianMiles rewards
  • Premium cabin upgrades

Flights

Southwest Airlines

Competitive fares from the West Coast with no baggage fees and flexible change policies. Rapid Rewards points never expire. Strong coverage of Oahu, Maui, Kauai, and the Big Island.

  • No baggage fees
  • No change fees
  • Rapid Rewards points
  • West Coast focus

Partner Resources

Car Rentals

A rental car is essential on every island except Oahu. Compare rates and book early — Hawaii inventory sells out fast.

Recommended

Car Rentals

Enterprise

Hawaii's most reliable car rental network with locations at every major airport. Enterprise Plus members earn points toward free rental days. Wide selection of vehicles from economy to 4WD.

  • All major airports
  • Enterprise Plus rewards
  • 4WD for Mauna Kea & Hana
  • No hidden fees
Best Value

Car Rentals

Discount Hawaii Car Rental

A Hawaii-focused aggregator that compares rates from all major rental companies at once. Often finds rates 20–30% lower than booking direct, especially for longer rentals.

  • Compare all companies
  • Best rate guarantee
  • No prepayment required
  • Hawaii specialists

Partner Resources

Rideshare

Uber and Lyft operate on Oahu and Maui. For Kauai and the Big Island, a rental car is strongly recommended.

Rideshare

Uber

Available on Oahu and Maui. Reliable coverage in Honolulu, Waikiki, and the Kahului/Kihei/Wailea corridor. Uber Reserve lets you schedule rides in advance — useful for early morning airport transfers.

  • Oahu & Maui coverage
  • Uber Reserve for airports
  • Uber Eats available
  • Transparent pricing

Rideshare

Lyft

Available on Oahu and Maui alongside Uber. Lyft Pink membership offers discounts on rides and priority airport pickups. Compare prices between both apps before booking.

  • Oahu & Maui coverage
  • Lyft Pink discounts
  • Priority airport pickup
  • Scheduled rides

Partner Resources

Kayak & Boat Rentals

Paddle the Wailua River, kayak to the Mokulua Islands, or explore Maui's south coast by water.

Top Experience

Kayak Rentals

Kayak Wailua (Kauai)

Paddle the Wailua River — the only navigable river in Hawaii — to the trailhead for Secret Falls. Several outfitters near the river mouth offer single and double kayak rentals with waterproof bags and paddles included.

  • Wailua River access
  • Secret Falls trailhead
  • Single & double kayaks
  • Guided tours available

Kayak Rentals

Kailua Beach Adventures (Oahu)

Rent a kayak or stand-up paddleboard at Kailua Beach and paddle out to the Mokulua Islands — two uninhabited offshore islets with pristine beaches accessible only by water.

  • Kailua Beach launch
  • Mokulua Islands access
  • Kayak & SUP rentals
  • Guided tours available

Kayak Rentals

Makena Kayak & Tours (Maui)

Launch from Makena Beach and paddle along Maui's south coast, where sea turtles surface regularly and the underwater visibility is exceptional. Snorkel gear included with most rentals.

  • Makena Beach launch
  • Sea turtle sightings
  • Snorkel gear included
  • Guided & self-guided

Planning Tips

Island-by-Island Essentials

Oahu

Rent a car for the North Shore and windward coast. Rideshare covers Honolulu and Waikiki well. Book Pearl Harbor and Hanauma Bay tickets weeks in advance.

Read the Guide

Maui

A rental car is essential. Book Haleakala sunrise permits and Mama's Fish House reservations months ahead. The Road to Hana requires a full day — start before 7 a.m.

Read the Guide

Kauai

Rent a car — there is no rideshare on Kauai. Book helicopter tours early; weather cancellations are common and rescheduling fills fast. North shore roads close in winter.

Read the Guide

Big Island

The island is the size of Connecticut — a car is non-negotiable. Book the manta ray night snorkel in advance. Mauna Kea summit requires acclimatization at the visitor center.

Read the Guide