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Airport Transportation

Daniel K. Inouye International Airport

Also known as: Honolulu Airport, Honolulu International Airport, HNL Airport. Formerly John Rodgers Airport.

HNL · PHNL · Honolulu

Airport facts

Name
Daniel K. Inouye International Airport
IATA code
HNL
ICAO code
PHNL
City
Honolulu
Country
United States of America
Coordinates
21.3184, -157.9257
Time zone
Pacific/Honolulu

About Daniel K. Inouye International Airport

Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) is the main airport for Honolulu and the island of Oʻahu, in Hawaii, United States, and the busiest airport in the state. It sits about 3 miles northwest of downtown Honolulu, beside Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, and was known as Honolulu International Airport until 2017.

Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines carry the most passengers, followed by Southwest, United and Delta. Flights link Honolulu with the other Hawaiian islands, with cities across the US mainland and Canada, and with Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines and many Pacific islands.

The airport has three passenger terminals. Terminal 1, the former inter-island terminal, includes the Mauka Concourse opened in 2021. Terminal 2, the former overseas terminal, is the largest and the only one that handles international arrivals. Terminal 3 is a smaller terminal on the Diamond Head side of the airport.

From the airport, most visitors head east to Waikiki and downtown Honolulu, or out to Ko Olina and the North Shore. The Skyline rail line and TheBus both stop at the airport.

Airport operator, runways and traffic

Operator

Hawaii Department of Transportation, Airports Division

Runways

Four paved runways, plus two offshore seaplane waterways

Passengers per year

About 22 million in 2025

Gates

60 across three terminals

Largest airlines

Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines

Arrival tips for Daniel K. Inouye International Airport

If you fly in from outside the US, you arrive at Terminal 2, where you clear US immigration and customs before collecting your bags. Flights from the US mainland and the other islands arrive at Terminal 1 or Terminal 2, depending on the airline, so check which one your flight uses before anyone comes to meet you.

Hawaii protects its farms from pests, so on flights from the mainland you will be given an agriculture declaration form to fill in, and plants and fresh produce may be inspected.

Once you have your bags, follow the ground transportation signs. The Skyline rail station is between Terminals 1 and 2, near the international parking garage, and TheBus stops at the terminals, including the limited-stop W Line to Waikiki. Taxis, rideshare and pre-booked cars each have signposted pickup areas outside baggage claim. Rental cars are collected at the consolidated rental car facility.

Hawaii is on Hawaii-Aleutian Standard Time all year and does not change its clocks for daylight saving.

Ground transportation

Most visitors head to Waikiki; a taxi, rideshare or pre-booked car is the easiest way with luggage, while TheBus and Skyline are cheaper.

  • Private transfer to Waikiki

    A pre-booked car or van meets you outside baggage claim and drives you straight to your hotel, useful for families and groups with luggage.

  • Taxi from Honolulu airport

    Taxis wait at the signposted rank outside baggage claim. Door to door, but traffic on the way to Waikiki can be heavy at rush hour.

  • Rideshare

    Rideshare apps pick up at the signposted zone outside the terminals. Fares rise at busy times.

  • TheBus W Line

    A limited-stop bus to downtown Honolulu, Ala Moana Center and Waikiki. The cheapest option, but space for big suitcases is limited.

  • Skyline rail

    The Airport station sits between Terminals 1 and 2. The line serves the west side of Oʻahu and is being extended toward downtown.

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Moving between terminals

  1. Wiki Wiki Shuttle

    A free shuttle links the ticket lobbies of all three terminals, and also runs between the Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 concourses after security.

  2. Agricultural inspection

    If you take checked or carry-on bags from Terminal 1 to Terminal 2, you pass a USDA agricultural inspection on the way.

Terminals

Terminal 1

The former inter-island terminal, with 25 gates including the Mauka Concourse, opened in 2021. It now handles a mix of inter-island and mainland flights.

Terminal 2

The former overseas terminal and the largest, with 29 gates on the Diamond Head, Ewa and Central concourses. It is the only terminal for international arrivals.

Terminal 3

A smaller terminal opened in 2018 on the Diamond Head side, between the cargo buildings.

Airlines and destinations

This directory lists the largest airlines at Honolulu; many more serve Asia, Canada and the Pacific islands.

Alaska Airlines

Cities across the US mainland and the West Coast

Airline guide

Delta Air Lines

US mainland hubs

Airline guide

Hawaiian Airlines

The other Hawaiian islands, the US mainland, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific

Airline guide

Southwest Airlines

The other Hawaiian islands and California

Airline guide

United Airlines

US mainland hubs and Guam

Airline guide

Parking

International parking garage

Near the arrivals area, next to the Skyline Airport station between Terminals 1 and 2.

Consolidated rental car facility

Opened in December 2021, with about 4,500 spaces on five levels for all the rental companies.

Frequently asked questions

How far is Honolulu airport from Waikiki?

Honolulu's Daniel K. Inouye International Airport is about 3 miles northwest of downtown Honolulu, and Waikiki lies beyond downtown to the east. Most travelers reach Waikiki by taxi, rideshare or pre-booked car; TheBus W Line also runs from the airport to Waikiki with limited stops.

What is the airport in Honolulu called?

Honolulu's airport is Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, code HNL. It was called Honolulu International Airport until 2017, when it was renamed for Hawaii's long-serving US senator. Many travelers and signs still call it Honolulu Airport.

How many terminals does Honolulu airport have?

HNL has three passenger terminals. Terminal 1 is the former inter-island terminal and includes the Mauka Concourse. Terminal 2 is the largest and the only one for international arrivals. Terminal 3 is a smaller terminal on the Diamond Head side. The free Wiki Wiki Shuttle links them.

How do I get between terminals at Honolulu airport?

Take the free Wiki Wiki Shuttle, which links the ticket lobbies of all three terminals and also runs between the Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 concourses after security. If you carry bags from Terminal 1 to Terminal 2, you pass a USDA agricultural inspection.

Is there a train from Honolulu airport?

Yes. The Skyline rail line has an Airport station between Terminals 1 and 2, opened in October 2025. The line serves the west side of Oʻahu and is being extended toward downtown Honolulu, so for Waikiki most travelers still use a taxi, rideshare, a pre-booked car or TheBus.

Do I go through agriculture inspection when flying to Honolulu?

On flights from the US mainland you fill in a Hawaii agriculture declaration form, and plants and fresh produce may be inspected, because the state protects its farms from pests. Inside the airport, bags taken from Terminal 1 to Terminal 2 also pass a USDA agricultural inspection.

Why book with Airport Transportation?

We provide private transportation from any airport to any hotel at the best price, and we are licensed with complete insurance liability.

Is the transportation private or shared?

Airport Transportation provides private transportation only, in vans, luxury SUVs, or semi-buses.

Are prices per person or per vehicle?

Prices on our website are per vehicle, not per person, based on a range of passengers.

How many people can a van carry?

Regular vans carry up to 9 passengers, semi-buses up to 16, and luxury SUVs up to 6 passengers.

How do I find you at the airport?

Walk all the way out of the airport. You'll see representatives holding boards. Look for the Airport Transportation logo or your name.

What kind of vehicles do you use?

Commonly Toyota Hiace, Volkswagen Transporter, Mercedes Sprinter, Volkswagen Crafter, Chevrolet Tahoe, and Chevrolet Suburban.

Do you have insurance?

Yes. We carry insurance with complete liability for all passengers while using our services.

Do you provide baby seats?

Baby seats are provided with prior notice, subject to availability, one seat maximum per vehicle.

How far in advance should I book?

You can book any time in advance; we suggest one week to one day ahead. Same-day reservations are available.

What payment methods are accepted?

PayPal is our main payment method; a cash option is also available when booking through our website. Credit cards are accepted through PayPal.

Do vehicles have air conditioning?

Yes. For your comfort all our units have air conditioning.

What if my flight is delayed?

During booking we ask for your airline and flight number so we can track delays and wait for you.

Can I make stops during my ride?

Yes, you can add an extra stop to your service during the booking process.

Do children pay differently than adults?

No. Prices are set per passenger range or per vehicle, not per age.

Is my reservation refundable?

Yes. Cancel free of charge up to 24 hours before your pick-up and you are refunded in full. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before service are not refundable.

Do drivers speak English?

Yes. While their English may not be native-level, drivers have the skills to communicate with passengers.

Are tips mandatory?

Tips are not mandatory but are highly recommended; drivers earn them through service quality.

What currencies are accepted?

All prices are in USD. Via PayPal you can pay in almost any currency; cash payments accept USD only.

Are pets allowed?

We can transport domestic pets kept in cages that fit in a normal vehicle.

Is there room for luggage?

Yes. There is plenty of room for one suitcase and one carry-on per person.

What is included in the price?

Every private transfer includes a professional, licensed driver; an insured, well-maintained vehicle; real-time flight monitoring; meet-and-greet service at arrivals; and door-to-door service with no hidden fees added after booking. Your fixed price covers the full route to your destination.

Book a transfer from HNL