Getting to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes: Airports, Access & Transportation
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes is on the Big Island, the largest and youngest island in the Hawaiian chain. The nearest airport is in Hilo (ITO), 30 miles from the main entrance, or a 45-minute drive. From Kailua-Kona, figure on 96 miles and at least 2 hours on Highway 11. There are no direct flights from France, so you'll need one or two connections.
Airports around the park (5)
- Airport Hilo International Airport ITO · 39 miles from the park · international Directions ↗
- Airport Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keāhole KOA · 47 miles from the park · international Directions ↗
- Airport Waimea Kohala Airport MUE · 48 miles from the park · regional Directions ↗
- Airport Hana Airport HNM · 107 miles from the park · regional Directions ↗
- Airport Kahului International Airport OGG · 125 miles from the park · international Directions ↗
Base map © OpenStreetMap · © CARTO Where to Land: Which Airport for Hawaiʻi Volcanoes
Two airports serve the Big Island. Your choice depends on your flight connections and where you've booked your lodging. Check our Where to Stay guide for options near the park.
Hilo International Airport (ITO): The Closest Gateway
Hilo is the most convenient airport for heading straight to the park. It's 30 miles northeast of the main entrance, on the island's wetter east coast. Flights from Honolulu (HNL) are frequent, with Hawaiian Airlines, Southwest, and Alaska Airlines all serving the airport regularly. Direct flights from the U.S. mainland are less common here than at Kona.
From the terminal, allow 45 minutes to drive southwest on Highway 11.
Kona International Airport (KOA): The Island's Hub
Kona has better connections to the U.S. mainland, with direct flights from Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Portland, Phoenix, and Dallas. It's on the west coast, though, 96 miles from the park via Highway 11, a 2- to 2.5-hour drive. An alternative route goes through Waimea and Hilo on Highway 19, covering about 124 miles. It's longer on paper, but it follows the north coast and gives you a chance to stop in Waimea.
You'll need a rental car from either airport. The park doesn't provide transportation from the airports.
Getting to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes from France
There are no direct flights between France and the island of Hawaiʻi. The standard route from Paris (CDG) includes a stop on the U.S. mainland, usually in Los Angeles or San Francisco, followed by a connection to Hilo (ITO) or Kailua-Kona (KOA). If you fly through Honolulu (HNL), you may need an additional interisland connection.
Plan on 22 to 26 hours of door-to-door travel, depending on your connections. Hawaiʻi is in the UTC−10 time zone, 12 hours behind France in summer. Some travelers deliberately spend a night in Honolulu to recover from the jet lag. It's worth considering if you want to arrive on the Big Island feeling rested.
Admission is $30 per vehicle and is valid for 7 days. The America the Beautiful Pass covers unlimited access to all U.S. national parks. Our National Park Fees & Passes page explains entrance fees and annual passes.
By Car: Distances and Drive Times from Gateway Towns
A car is the only practical way to reach and explore the park. Here are the drives from the Big Island's main gateway towns:
| Starting point | Distance | Estimated drive time |
|---|---|---|
| Hilo | 30 miles | 45 min |
| Kailua-Kona (via southern Highway 11) | 96 miles | 2 to 2.5 hours |
| Kailua-Kona (via Waimea and Hilo) | 124 miles | 2.5 to 3 hours |
| Waimea (Kamuela) | 81 miles | 1 hr 45 min |
Highway 11 passes through wooded areas and includes a few hillside curves. Follow the posted speed limits, which are often 45 mph, and watch for fog at higher elevations, especially in the morning.
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes Entrances
The park has two clearly separate access points on the map.
Main Entrance (Kīlauea Area)
This is the entrance you'll use in most cases. It's on Highway 11 between Hilo and Volcano Village. Just past the entrance station, you'll find the Kīlauea Visitor Center on the left, with free maps, information about current volcanic activity, and trail conditions. This is where Crater Rim Drive and Chain of Craters Road, the park's two main roads, begin.
The park is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, year-round, including holidays.
Kahuku Unit (Southwest Area)
The Kahuku Unit is a separate section about 53 miles southwest of the main entrance, also on Highway 11. It offers a completely different landscape, with high-elevation grasslands, cinder cones, and old solidified lava flows. This unit is open Thursday through Sunday only, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The gate is closed on other days. If you're visiting on Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday, plan accordingly.
Getting Around the Park
Once you've entered, you can drive freely. Hawaiʻi Volcanoes doesn't require visitors to use a shuttle. Find details on internal roads, parking, and trail access points in the Hawaiʻi Volcanoes driving guide.
Other Options: Guided Tours and Public Transportation
There is no regular public bus service to the park. The Big Island's Hele-On Bus network serves Hilo and a few communities, but it doesn't reach the park entrance in a practical way for visitors.
Guided tours from Hilo or Kona are an alternative if you prefer not to drive. Several operators offer full-day trips with transportation and a guide. This option is less flexible than having a car, but it pairs easily with a helicopter flight over the volcanic activity areas, a memorable experience in its own right.
In Summary: Which Option Fits Your Starting Point
From France, the most common route is Paris (CDG), followed by Los Angeles or San Francisco, then a direct flight to Hilo (ITO). This option minimizes travel time once you're on the island. If your ticket brings you into Kona (KOA), book your rental car ahead of time and allow 2 hours to drive Highway 11. The route runs along the slopes of Mauna Loa and immerses you in the volcanic landscape right away.
Either way, you'll need a rental car. It also gives you the freedom to return at the end of the day, when Kīlauea's caldera glows in the darkness.
To plan the rest of your trip, see our complete Hawaiʻi Volcanoes guide and our Hawaiʻi Volcanoes itinerary guide so you don't miss the highlights.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get to the national park?
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park is accessible via Highway 11 on the island of Hawaiʻi, also known as the Big Island. The main entrance is 30 miles southwest of Hilo, a 45-minute drive, and 96 miles southeast of Kailua-Kona, a 2- to 2.5-hour drive. A car is essential. No public transportation connects the airports to the park.
What's the best time to visit Hawaiʻi?
It depends on how much rain and crowds you're willing to tolerate. The Hawaiʻi Volcanoes seasons guide covers conditions in the park throughout the year.
How do I get to Hawaiʻi from France?
There are no direct flights from France to Hawaiʻi. From Paris (CDG), plan on a stop in Los Angeles or San Francisco, followed by a connection to Hilo (ITO) or Kailua-Kona (KOA). Total travel time is 22 to 26 hours door to door.
What are the best hikes in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park?
The Hawaiʻi Volcanoes hiking guide breaks down trails by difficulty and area, including Kīlauea's caldera, Chain of Craters Road, Mauna Loa, and Kahuku, along with hike times and elevation gains.