HNL · Honolulu, HI · Large Hub

Daniel K. Inouye International Airport Guide

Terminals, minimum connection times, ground transport, parking, lounges, and layover advice for Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL), every figure cited to the airport's own data.

Quick answer

  • Terminals: 3 terminals, airside-connected
  • Minimum connection time: 30 min domestic, 1 hr 30 min international to domestic
  • Arrive: 1 hr 30 min before domestic, 2 hr 30 min before international
  • To Honolulu: about 25 min one-way
  • Free WiFi: Yes

Terminals & connections

Daniel K. Inouye International Airport has 3 terminals. All are airside-connected; you can transfer between them without re-clearing security. Most gates airside-connected. The Wiki Wiki bus is a short airside shuttle for far concourses.

Terminal 1 (Interisland)

2 airlines: Hawaiian Airlines, Southwest Airlines

Interisland flights to Maui, Kauai, Big Island.

Terminal 2 (Main/Overseas)

12 airlines: Hawaiian Airlines, United Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Alaska Airlines, JetBlue, and more

Main interstate and international; Concourses A-G.

Terminal 3 (Commuter)

Small aircraft operations.

Minimum connection times

Domestic to domestic
30 min
Domestic to international
1 hr
International to domestic
1 hr 30 min
International to international
1 hr 15 min
Transfer system
Wiki Wiki shuttle (airside) between distant gates; walkways between T1 and T2
Airside connected
Yes

Layover helper

Interactive tool

Enter your layover details and we will tell you whether you have a tight connection, a comfortable connection, or enough time to leave HNL.

Security & TSA

Typical TSA wait at HNL is 25 minutes at peak and 5 minutes off-peak. Arrive at least 1 hr 30 min before a domestic flight and 2 hr 30 min before international.

TSA PreCheck
Available
CLEAR
Available
Global Entry
Available

Agricultural inspection required on mainland-bound checked bags.

Lounges

1 notable lounge at HNL, including airline-branded clubs and third-party options accessible via Priority Pass or day-pass. Check your credit card benefits (Amex Platinum, Chase Sapphire Reserve, Capital One Venture X) before paying a day-pass fee.

Hawaiian Airlines Premier Club

Terminal 2

Hawaiian

Access: Hawaiian elite, Premier Club membership

Amenities: Bar

Amenities

4 of 7 core amenities available at HNL: free WiFi, nursing rooms, chapel, pet relief. Free WiFi quality is rated good. Dining options span 1 terminal.

Showers

Not available

Sleep pods

Not available

WiFi

Free (good)

Nursing rooms

Available

Terminal 2

Chapel

Available

Terminal 2

Pet relief areas

Available

Pet relief areas; strict ag rules for arrivals

Dining highlights

Terminal 2: Stinger Ray's, Kona Coffee Purveyors

Ground transport to Honolulu

HNL is about 25 min from downtown Honolulu by the fastest transit option.

Option Cost Time
TheBus Route 20
Bus
To Waikiki.
 $3 40-60 min
Uber/Lyft
Rideshare
 $30-$50 20-40 min
Roberts Hawaii shuttle
Shuttle
 $18-$25 30-60 min

Parking

HNL parking ranges from Varies/day economy to $18/day short-term.

Short-term
$18/day
Long-term
$18/day
Economy
Not available
Valet
Not available

Can I leave HNL during a layover?

Yes, HNL is close enough to Honolulu that a 3-hour layover is workable. With 6+ hours, you have time to see part of Honolulu. Round-trip to the city center is about 50 min plus re-screening on return.

Waikiki is 25-40 min by rideshare. Pearl Harbor is 15 min; 3-hour layovers can glimpse the USS Arizona Memorial.

Overnight layover hotels

  • Airport Honolulu Hotel
    5-min shuttle
    $$

Frequently asked questions

How early should I arrive at HNL?

Arrive at least 90 minutes before a domestic flight from HNL, and 150 minutes before an international flight.

What is the minimum connection time at HNL?

HNL requires at least 30 minutes for domestic-to-domestic connections and 90 minutes for international-to-domestic connections. All terminals are airside-connected, so you do not need to re-clear security when changing terminals.

How long does it take to get between terminals at HNL?

Budget 8 min for same-terminal transfers and 15 min for different-terminal transfers at HNL via Wiki Wiki shuttle (airside) between distant gates; walkways between T1 and T2. Most gates airside-connected. The Wiki Wiki bus is a short airside shuttle for far concourses.

Can I leave HNL during a 3-hour layover?

Yes, HNL is close enough to Honolulu that 3-hour layovers are workable. Round-trip to the city center is about 50 minutes plus re-screening. Waikiki is 25-40 min by rideshare. Pearl Harbor is 15 min; 3-hour layovers can glimpse the USS Arizona Memorial.

Does HNL have showers?

HNL does not have dedicated public showers. Paid lounge access is typically required for shower facilities.

Does HNL have sleep pods?

HNL does not have dedicated sleep pods. Check premium airline lounges for quiet rooms.

Is WiFi free at HNL?

Yes. HNL offers free WiFi throughout the airport.

What is the cheapest way to get from HNL to Honolulu?

The cheapest option is typically TheBus Route 20 at $3, taking 40-60 minutes. To Waikiki.

Is there TSA PreCheck and CLEAR at HNL?

HNL supports TSA PreCheck and has CLEAR lanes. Global Entry kiosks are available for returning international travelers. Typical peak-hour wait is 25 minutes. Agricultural inspection required on mainland-bound checked bags.

Where should I eat at HNL during a layover?

Notable dining at HNL includes Stinger Ray's (Terminal 2), Kona Coffee Purveyors (Terminal 2).

How much does parking cost at HNL?

HNL parking rates: $18/day short-term, $18/day long-term. Book online in advance for significant discounts vs. drive-up rates.

Is there a hotel at HNL for overnight layovers?

The closest option is Airport Honolulu Hotel (5-min shuttle, $$). Budget time for the shuttle or rideshare in your overnight plan.

Which terminal does my airline use at HNL?

HNL has 3 terminals. Major airline assignments: Terminal 1 (Interisland): Hawaiian Airlines, Southwest Airlines; Terminal 2 (Main/Overseas): Hawaiian Airlines, United Airlines, American Airlines. Confirm with your boarding pass before arrival since a few airlines operate from multiple terminals depending on route.

Are there pet relief areas at HNL?

Yes. Pet relief areas; strict ag rules for arrivals. Hawaii has strict pet quarantine rules on arrival.

Is there a chapel or prayer room at HNL?

Yes. Terminal 2. Interfaith chapel.

Compare HNL to other airports

See how HNL ranks against the other 69 airports in our dataset.

Best for layovers HNL ranks well for quick layovers With sleep pods See which airports offer capsule hotels and nap rooms Shortest MCT HNL dom-to-dom: 30 min · intl-to-dom: 1 hr 30 min

Airlines operating at HNL

Look up baggage policies for any airline flying out of HNL.

Pack for your Honolulu trip

Destination packing lists for cities served by HNL.

Compare other airports

Sources & verification

Verified 2026-04-14. Airport operations, parking rates, and amenities change; always confirm with Daniel K. Inouye International Airport before flying.