Honolulu Airport Guide – NerdWallet

The tropical atmosphere will hit you as soon as you land at Honolulu’s Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL), Hawaii’s largest airport. The airport features an outdoor park accessible from the terminals, landscaped with trees and flowers native to the Hawaiian Islands.

Currently, HNL is undergoing some renovations to the terminals and improvements to roadways to make navigating the airport easier. It is also adding some cultural touches, such as incorporating live Hawaiian music and dance.

Daniel K. Inouye International Airport quick facts

• Location: 300 Rodgers Blvd, Honolulu, HI 96819

• Airlines: HNL serves major carriers including Hawaiian Airlines, Southwest, United, Delta and Japan Airlines.

• Terminals: HNL entails three terminals: Terminal 1 (Hawaiian Airlines), Terminal 2 (international and domestic carriers), and Terminal 3 (smaller, regional carriers).

HNL has three main terminals:

Terminal 1 is exclusively for Hawaiian Airlines. It was recently renovated with better seating areas and more dining options than before. Its new design has a distinctly Hawaiian feel with natural light and open spaces.

This terminal is the largest of them all, serving most other airlines besides Hawaiian Airlines, plus duty-free shopping and lounges. The central garden courtyard is a unique, peaceful feature where travelers can get some fresh air and relax in a green space.

This is a small, standalone terminal for inter-island flights. Travelers will need to take a shuttle to reach this terminal.

All three terminals are connected post-security. Travelers can ride the Wiki Wiki Shuttle, which is a free bus for airport travelers.

It’s also possible to walk between Terminals 1 and 2, though the shuttle may be faster. To get from one of those terminals to Terminal 3, the shuttle ride is a necessity.

Transportation to and from HNL

HNL is close to downtown Honolulu (about five miles) and Waikiki (nine miles). Parking is available at three on-site lots, with rates starting at $25 per day.

Rental cars can be picked up or dropped off at the airport’s rental car center, located directly across from Terminal 2. You’ll just walk across a crosswalk to get there, making it especially convenient. Otherwise, it’s a short shuttle bus ride between the other terminals.

The HNL rental car center includes most major car rental companies including Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz and National.

Rideshare apps including Uber and Lyft serve HNL, which has designated pickup zones in front of each terminal. Every pickup zone is located on floor 2 of the airport. Standard ride shares to the Waikiki resort area tend to cost about $35 to $40, though pricing varies by demand — so your fare may be vastly different.

For taxis, the pickup area is located at the center median in front of the baggage claim area. Taxi fares vary by company, but some offer flat rates to popular tourist destinations. Hello Cab charges about $39 from the airport to Waikiki, and Charley’s Taxi charges about $38. But some taxis charge extra depending on how many people or bags you have with you.

For a semi-private option with minimal stops, you might consider pre-booking a shuttle, which is something of a middle ground between a bus and a taxi. You’ll likely share with a few other travelers and make stops at their hotels. Prices vary by company and destination, but these tend to cost about $28 per person to get from HNL to the Waikiki area. Shuttles can typically be more economical if you’re traveling solo, but they tend to be less worth it if you’re traveling with someone else given the per-person fee.

Honolulu’s public bus system, called TheBus, is the cheapest way to reach downtown Honolulu and Waikiki. Route 20 and Route 303 connect the airport to various parts of the island. Fares are just $3 per ride for most adults, but it’s not ideal if you’re short on time. The ride between the airport and Waikiki on TheBus takes about an hour, versus only about 20 minutes by car.

ATMs: Three banks offer ATMs throughout the terminals: American Savings Bank, ATM Pacific Bank, Bank of Hawaii and First Hawaiian Bank. There are also a handful of ATMs powered by ATM Pacific.

Lei stands: Lei stands are something you won’t find at most airports, but you can arrange for a lei greeting here. Lei stands are located on the left side of the airport entry road before Terminal 1. Florist shops in the terminals also sell them.

Lost and found: HNL has a Lost and Found service, which is located on the ground level of Terminal 2 Parking Garage opposite Terminal 2. You can call them at 808-836-6683. For items left on airlines, at TSA Security Checkpoints or in rental cars, contact those providers individually.

Luggage carts: You can rent luggage carts, which are located at various locations curbside on the departure level and at the airport baggage claim areas.

Wi-Fi: There’s free Wi-Fi throughout the airport.

Shopping, dining and other activities at HNL

There are plenty of national brands for food at HNL, including fast food chains like Burger King, but don’t miss the local favorites like Lahaina Chicken Company.

HNL airport stores include both big designer names and island-inspired boutiques.

The airport’s most distinctive feature is its array of Chinese, Hawaiian and Japanese gardens. The main garden — the C. B. Lansing Garden — is located on the ground level of Terminal 1 near the walkway to Terminal 2. While it’s not the easiest to find, you can access it freely without having to re-enter security to get back to your gate.

After going through the airport security checkpoint, take the staircases that bring you down to the ground level on the garden side.

The best lounges at HNL are operated directly by the airlines, though there are a few other options, including a couple on the Priority Pass network.

There are also a handful of lounges designed for guests of certain high-end hotels. For example, the Ko Olina Traveler’s Lounge is accessible to confirmed guests and owners staying at Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa, Marriott’s Ko Olina Beach Club, Four Seasons Resort O‘ahu at Ko Olina and the Beach Villas at Ko Olina.

Location: Terminal 2, across from Gate F1.

How to access Delta Sky Club at HNL: To enter the Delta Sky Club, you must have a Delta Sky Club membership, a Delta One ticket or a premium cabin ticket on a partner airline, elite status or a certain credit card to be able to enter the Delta Sky Club.

Location: Terminal 1, 2nd floor near Gate A18.

How to access the Hawaiian Airlines Premier Club at HNL: The lounge is open to passengers flying to North America or other islands in first class on Hawaiian Airlines, travelers with Pualani Platinum and Gold elite status, as well as Premier Club members (Premier Club is a membership program, though it’s being phased out by the airline throughout 2025).

Hawaiian Airlines also operates a lounge called Plumeria Lounge, which is in the Priority Pass network (more on that later).

Location: Terminal 2, third floor above Gates G2 and G3.

How to access the United Club at HNL: Gain access to the United Club by flying United Polaris or business class on international flights, United business class on transcontinental flights, or business class on a Star Alliance airline.

The Club is also open to travelers with United Premier Gold elite status (or higher) who are flying internationally on United or a Star Alliance airline.

Otherwise, purchase a United Club day pass or an annual United Club membership, which costs $650. Or, use an eligible credit card to gain access.

Priority Pass, which is a membership-based network of more than 1,700 airport lounges and experiences, has two lounges at HNL. Though you can pay for Priority Pass membership (starting at $99 per year), many members join for free by holding certain travel cards.

Location: Terminal 1, third floor (near the Wiki Wiki shuttle)

Standout features: Also operated by Hawaiian Airlines, the Plumeria Lounge Honolulu is good, but not great. Expect light fare like soup and packaged snacks. The highlight is the packaged snacks local to Hawaii, such as the cookie jar filled with Honolulu Cookie Company shortbread.

How to access The Plumeria Lounge: Besides flashing Priority Pass, you can also access it if you’re flying with Hawaiian Airlines in business class or as a Pualani Platinum member to an international destination, if you’re traveling in first class to certain North American cities or by purchasing a day pass.

Location: Terminal 2, ground level (near Gates 14-23)

Standout features: This lounge is the weaker of the two, offering complimentary nonalcoholic drinks but no food. You’re not even allowed to bring in your own outside food.

How to access IASS Lounge: Besides Priority Pass, other membership programs can get you access such as Diners Club International and DragonPass, which is a lounge membership program similar to Priority Pass.