How to Get from Oahu to Maui

Maui is one of the most important islands in Hawaii. It is also the name given to one of the most important demigods in Polynesian culture who, according to tradition, formed the Polynesian islands, including, of course, the Hawaiian archipelago.

Traveling to Maui from Honolulu is one of the best things to do in Oahu during your vacation. As you will soon discover, this new and idyllic destination boasts the greatest diversity of tropical flora and fauna you could hope to find. It is an excellent option for admiring and exploring exotic landscapes in a state that has been largely untouched by humans.

If you've already done the must-do activities on a first trip to Oahu, such as visiting Pearl Harbor, exploring the island's North Shore, attending a Luau show, and taking a sunset cruise in Waikiki, it's time to broaden your horizons!

Without a doubt, the best way to visit Maui from Oahu is by hiring the services of an expert company, such as an organized tour. This will allow you to embark on a day-long adventure, explore the highlights of Maui, and be back at your hotel in Waikiki by nightfall.

Considered among the best tours to do in Oahu and the surrounding area, you will find several tour operators offering this service due to the interest this type of adventure arouses in travelers.

What do these tours offer?

Please note that the specific details of the tours may vary depending on the company you book with. However, in general, these types of tours depart before 7:00 a.m. so you can make the most of your day.

From Honolulu, you will take a plane to Maui, and once at the destination airport, a road trip will take you through the highlights and best attractions of the island.

There is a lot to see and enjoy on the island of Maui, and although the list of attractions may vary, some of the highlights include: Visiting and touring Waianapanapa State Park (one of the most beautiful in all of Hawaii); seeing the Puahokamoa Falls or the Wailua Falls; passing through the old plantations of Paia; and, of course, an excursion to discover the unique black sand beach of Hohokalani (a beach formed by lava pebbles from volcanic cliffs).

These are almost always shared excursions in small to medium-sized groups (8 to 20 participants). The organizing company provides travelers with all transportation, round-trip airfare, transportation from the hotel in Waikiki to the airport, and private minibus transportation to various points of interest in Maui.

Useful information

• Price: For this type of adventure, you will need to pay around €580. The price includes all transportation, entrance fees, and round-trip airfare between Oahu and Maui.
• Duration of the trip: This is a full-day group excursion, so you will need to reserve at least one day of your itinerary for this activity.
• Recommended if... you are visiting Hawaii for several days, for example 5 days in Oahu or more, and you want to discover new destinations. It is highly recommended for travelers visiting this destination for the second time who like the idea of venturing into new territory. You will have a great time!

While it's true that transportation options in Oahu are somewhat limited, you have the alternative of organizing your own trip and traveling to Maui like the locals do, using the main means of transportation between the Hawaiian islands: the plane.

Since this is the only means of transportation available at this time, there are many alternatives, and below I provide all the information you need to know.

Route

If you decide to travel to Maui on your own, you will need to take a flight from Honolulu International Airport (HNL).

There are two airports in Maui, and depending on the airline and availability, your flight may land at Kapalua Airport (JHM) or Kahului Airport (OGG).

One of the main advantages of visiting Oahu, in addition to its many tourist attractions, is how well connected the island is to other areas of the archipelago. Oahu Airport has numerous direct flights to different destinations, making it easier for travelers and saving time by avoiding stopovers.

Once in the air, flights usually take less than an hour to complete the journey.

Companies offering this service

On the island of Oahu, you will find several companies offering this service, aimed both at the thousands of tourists who visit each season and at Hawaii residents who frequently travel between the islands for various reasons.

Below is a list of large and medium-sized local airlines that connect both destinations with direct flights every day, some even several times a day.

• Hawaiian Airlines The oldest and leading airline in Hawaii, it is the ideal choice for travelers looking for reliable and efficient service. In addition to Maui, this airline connects Oahu with the other islands in the archipelago.
• Southwest Airlines Founded in 2019, this is a newly established company that has quickly become popular with locals. At the moment, it offers direct flights to only two islands, the Big Island and Maui.
• Mokulele Airlines This company merged with another small Hawaiian airline called Makani Kai Air in 2020; together they offer great service to the public. Many of their flights depart from nearby terminals, which, having less air traffic than the main terminals, offer a smoother flow of passengers and shorter waiting times.

Useful information

• Price: A round-trip economy class ticket from Oahu to Maui usually costs around €145.
• Travel time: The flight time between the two islands ranges from 40 minutes to an hour. You should also add the transfer between airports and the waiting time at the airports.
• Recommended if... you are going to be in Hawaii for several days and have time to spare. Although the adventure of discovering Maui can be done in just one day, I only recommend it if you are accompanied by an expert guide for the entire excursion. Otherwise, allow at least two days for this experience so that you can deal with any unforeseen circumstances.

Although they are two of the most visited and important islands in the archipelago, there is currently no passenger ferry service connecting the two destinations.

However, between 2003 and 2009, a public transport service known as Super Ferry operated in the Hawaiian Islands, with a route departing from the port of Honolulu on Oahu and the port of Kahului on Maui to take passengers to all the nearby islands, making the same journey several times a day.

Over the years, several unsuccessful and fruitless attempts have been made to put the Hawaii Superferry back into operation. I hope they succeed!

To make your trip to Maui more enjoyable, here are a few tips to keep in mind.

Keep an eye out for flight deals

If you are traveling on your own, you should know that it is possible to find cheap flights from Oahu to Maui if you know where and when to look. The first tip is to always check all available airlines, as they often publish last-minute deals.

As a second tip, I recommend taking advantage of the low tourist season in Hawaii, when fewer tourists reduce demand and, with it, prices. In addition to May, you can take advantage of this circumstance if you travel to Oahu in October or the first weeks of November.

If you're traveling during peak season, book in advance

On the flip side, during the high season, it's worth booking excursions in Oahu or nearby destinations well in advance.

The reason is simple: spots fill up quickly, and it's best to have all the important details organized ahead of time.

Snorkeling in Maui

Have you been snorkeling in Oahu? If so, you'll love repeating the experience on the beaches of Maui. Check if the tour company offers this experience (many do) and if not, negotiate with them to include it. You won't regret it!

According to official data, the distance between Oahu and Maui is approximately 178 km. If you compare this and look at a map of the archipelago, you will see that Maui is closer to Oahu than the Big Island, another popular destination among travelers that we recommend visiting if you want to see an island with an active volcano.

In terms of flight time, this distance translates into short flights with a minimum duration of 35 minutes and a maximum of 50 minutes.