Daniel K. Inouye International Airport
Also known as: Honolulu Airport, Honolulu International Airport, HNL Airport. Formerly John Rodgers Airport.
Private transfer from HNLSee pricesSee pricesAbout Daniel K. Inouye International Airport
Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) is the main airport for Honolulu and the island of Oʻahu, in Hawaii, United States, and the busiest airport in the state. It sits about 3 miles northwest of downtown Honolulu, beside Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, and was known as Honolulu International Airport until 2017.
Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines carry the most passengers, followed by Southwest, United and Delta. Flights link Honolulu with the other Hawaiian islands, with cities across the US mainland and Canada, and with Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines and many Pacific islands.
The airport has three passenger terminals. Terminal 1, the former inter-island terminal, includes the Mauka Concourse opened in 2021. Terminal 2, the former overseas terminal, is the largest and the only one that handles international arrivals. Terminal 3 is a smaller terminal on the Diamond Head side of the airport.
From the airport, most visitors head east to Waikiki and downtown Honolulu, or out to Ko Olina and the North Shore. The Skyline rail line and TheBus both stop at the airport.
Airport operator, runways and traffic
- Operator
Hawaii Department of Transportation, Airports Division
- Runways
Four paved runways, plus two offshore seaplane waterways
- Passengers per year
About 22 million in 2025
- Gates
60 across three terminals
- Largest airlines
Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines
Arrival tips for Daniel K. Inouye International Airport
If you fly in from outside the US, you arrive at Terminal 2, where you clear US immigration and customs before collecting your bags. Flights from the US mainland and the other islands arrive at Terminal 1 or Terminal 2, depending on the airline, so check which one your flight uses before anyone comes to meet you.
Hawaii protects its farms from pests, so on flights from the mainland you will be given an agriculture declaration form to fill in, and plants and fresh produce may be inspected.
Once you have your bags, follow the ground transportation signs. The Skyline rail station is between Terminals 1 and 2, near the international parking garage, and TheBus stops at the terminals, including the limited-stop W Line to Waikiki. Taxis, rideshare and pre-booked cars each have signposted pickup areas outside baggage claim. Rental cars are collected at the consolidated rental car facility.
Hawaii is on Hawaii-Aleutian Standard Time all year and does not change its clocks for daylight saving.
Ground transportation
Most visitors head to Waikiki; a taxi, rideshare or pre-booked car is the easiest way with luggage, while TheBus and Skyline are cheaper.
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Book a transfer from HNLPrivate transfer to Waikiki
A pre-booked car or van meets you outside baggage claim and drives you straight to your hotel, useful for families and groups with luggage.
Taxi from Honolulu airport
Taxis wait at the signposted rank outside baggage claim. Door to door, but traffic on the way to Waikiki can be heavy at rush hour.
Rideshare
Rideshare apps pick up at the signposted zone outside the terminals. Fares rise at busy times.
TheBus W Line
A limited-stop bus to downtown Honolulu, Ala Moana Center and Waikiki. The cheapest option, but space for big suitcases is limited.
Skyline rail
The Airport station sits between Terminals 1 and 2. The line serves the west side of Oʻahu and is being extended toward downtown.
Moving between terminals
- 1
Wiki Wiki Shuttle
A free shuttle links the ticket lobbies of all three terminals, and also runs between the Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 concourses after security.
- 2
Agricultural inspection
If you take checked or carry-on bags from Terminal 1 to Terminal 2, you pass a USDA agricultural inspection on the way.
Terminals
Terminal 1
The former inter-island terminal, with 25 gates including the Mauka Concourse, opened in 2021. It now handles a mix of inter-island and mainland flights.
Terminal 2
The former overseas terminal and the largest, with 29 gates on the Diamond Head, Ewa and Central concourses. It is the only terminal for international arrivals.
Terminal 3
A smaller terminal opened in 2018 on the Diamond Head side, between the cargo buildings.
Airlines and destinations
Parking
International parking garage
Near the arrivals area, next to the Skyline Airport station between Terminals 1 and 2.
Consolidated rental car facility
Opened in December 2021, with about 4,500 spaces on five levels for all the rental companies.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Honolulu airport from Waikiki?
Honolulu's Daniel K. Inouye International Airport is about 3 miles northwest of downtown Honolulu, and Waikiki lies beyond downtown to the east. Most travelers reach Waikiki by taxi, rideshare or pre-booked car; TheBus W Line also runs from the airport to Waikiki with limited stops.
What is the airport in Honolulu called?
Honolulu's airport is Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, code HNL. It was called Honolulu International Airport until 2017, when it was renamed for Hawaii's long-serving US senator. Many travelers and signs still call it Honolulu Airport.
How many terminals does Honolulu airport have?
HNL has three passenger terminals. Terminal 1 is the former inter-island terminal and includes the Mauka Concourse. Terminal 2 is the largest and the only one for international arrivals. Terminal 3 is a smaller terminal on the Diamond Head side. The free Wiki Wiki Shuttle links them.
How do I get between terminals at Honolulu airport?
Take the free Wiki Wiki Shuttle, which links the ticket lobbies of all three terminals and also runs between the Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 concourses after security. If you carry bags from Terminal 1 to Terminal 2, you pass a USDA agricultural inspection.
Is there a train from Honolulu airport?
Yes. The Skyline rail line has an Airport station between Terminals 1 and 2, opened in October 2025. The line serves the west side of Oʻahu and is being extended toward downtown Honolulu, so for Waikiki most travelers still use a taxi, rideshare, a pre-booked car or TheBus.
Do I go through agriculture inspection when flying to Honolulu?
On flights from the US mainland you fill in a Hawaii agriculture declaration form, and plants and fresh produce may be inspected, because the state protects its farms from pests. Inside the airport, bags taken from Terminal 1 to Terminal 2 also pass a USDA agricultural inspection.