How to get to Hanalei, Kauai
As with traveling to any of the major islands in Hawaii, interisland travel is done through planes. There are airports on each major island, and Kauai is no different. The major airport in Kauai is found in the county seat which is in Lihue, the Lihue Airport. One can travel from the mainland US directly to Lihue, or, make a stop first at Honolulu Airport and then going for local flights to Kauai. From Lihue, it’s just a matter of land travel to get to Hanalei.
There are currently four carriers that have flights going to Lihue. These airlines are: Go! Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, Island Air, and Mokulele Airlines. Depending on the airline and your travel plan, you can make flights from the different islands to Lihue Airport.
Another airport in Kauai is the Port Allen Airport. It is located on the South Shore of the island, and you can get to Hanalei from this airport by land, either driving there yourself in car rental or using public transport. There’s also a private airport at Princeville which caters to small and private planes, and lets you reach Hanalei directly from the other major islands in Hawaii.
Once you reach the Lihue Airport, you can drive towards Hanalei. The options available to visitors are to get a rental car, a taxi, or take the bus. It is recommended to take rental cars so that one can explore the rest of the island should one want to. For rentals, every major rental car company in America should have a local branch in Lihue Airport. It is suggested that you make your reservations early to ensure availability. Some airlines also offer car rental services with their flights so it is best that you ask about it before taking your trip. For example, Go! Airlines offers car rental and hotel reservations together with their flights.
One advantage of getting a rental car is that you can get a scenic view of the island on your own. Another advantage is that a rental car will give you more mobility within the island and will also let you visit other points of interest in Kauai aside from Hanalei.
To drive yourself to Hanalei, you just have to take the Kuhio Highway or Highway 56. Just pursuing the highway will lead you straight to Hanalei. The travel time is about one hour and 10 minutes, but that of course, depends on local traffic conditions.
As mentioned earlier, you also have the option to take a taxi or the bus to get around within Hawaii. If you’re low on cash and would like to see a bit of the local culture, then the bus route should interest you. You just need to buy the necessary passes to get on board the local buses. Taxis in the region can take you anywhere, though you would have to pay a premium for the convenience. Another disadvantage of taxis and buses is that that they are limited when it comes to travel convenience. The bus routes are limited, and taxis depend on availability and they also cost quite a lot. So, there may be advantages to taking taxis and buses but there are also setbacks. In general, the best option to get around the island of Kauai is to get a rental car.This is especially true if you’re travelling with the family and you have some budget prepared for it anyway.
Getting to Hanalei, and Kauai in general is easy. Take a flight directly from the mainland, or from Honolulu, and then drive yourself around the island. And to do just that, a rental car is the way to go.