Getting to Kauai: Flights, Airports and Arrival Tips
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Nonstop Flights to Lihue (LIH)
| Airline | Nonstop from |
|---|---|
| United | Los Angeles (LAX), San Francisco (SFO), Denver (DEN) |
| Alaska Hawaiian | Los Angeles (LAX), San Diego (SAN), Seattle (SEA), Oakland (OAK), Sacramento (SMF), Portland (PDX, seasonal) |
| American | Phoenix (PHX), Los Angeles (LAX) |
| Delta | Seattle (SEA), Los Angeles (LAX) |
Alaska and Hawaiian are now one company, so you’ll see both brands on these routes. Routes and frequencies change seasonally — check before you book.
Connecting Flights and Island-hopping
| Option | Good to know |
|---|---|
| Via Honolulu (HNL) | The most flights by far, including from the East Coast, Asia and Australia. The hop to Lihue is about 35 minutes. Allow 90+ minutes to connect. |
| Via Maui (OGG) or the Big Island (KOA) | Interisland flights also connect to Lihue from Maui and Kona — handy if those fares are better from your city. |
| Start on another island | Make it a two-island trip: spend a few days on Oahu, Maui or the Big Island, then hop to Kauai to finish. Book the interisland leg on the same ticket where you can. |
When to Fly
- Cheapest: mid-April to early June and September to mid-December (outside Thanksgiving).
- Priciest: Christmas through New Year’s, spring break and July.
- Post-hurricane note: fall 2026 fares and rates may be softer while the South Shore recovers. Check What’s Open Now before you lock in plans.
Flight + Hotel Bundles
Packages can genuinely save money on Kauai, especially at the bigger resorts. Price the bundle against booking separately before you commit.
When You Land
Lihue Airport is quaint and a little old — stepping off the plane feels like going back in a time capsule. It’s open-air, so if you’re arriving in rough weather, be ready for it. It can get crowded when a few flights land at once, since there are really just two baggage carousels. But it’s beautiful, and you feel like you’re in Hawaii the moment you step off the plane.
- Agriculture declaration: on domestic flights it’s digital — fill it out at akamaiarrival.hawaii.gov up to five days before you fly, or in flight.
- Rental car: counters are a short shuttle ride from baggage claim. Book well ahead — Kauai sells out. See our rental car guide.
Stocking Up
Costco, Walmart and the big grocery stores are just minutes from the airport and much cheaper than resort shops. Type the store into your rental car’s GPS or your phone and you’ll be there in no time.
How Long to Stay
Five days is the minimum to see the North and South Shores without rushing; a week is ideal. See our itineraries.