Exploring Kauai: Where's The Airport Located?

The airport on Kauai is called Lihue Airport (LIH) and is located in the capital city of Lihue, on the southeastern coast of the island. It is the primary airport on the island, handling both overseas and inter-island flights. The airport is mostly unwalled and open-air, with check-in taking place outside. Lihue Airport is served by several airlines, including Hawaiian Airlines, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, and Southwest Airlines, connecting Kauai to major cities across the United States and beyond.

Lihue Airport (LIH) is the main airport on Kauai

Lihue Airport is the perfect gateway to Kauai for visitors and tourists, with its beautiful beaches, water sports, and Waimea Canyon. The airport is mostly open-air, with an outside check-in area, and is small and breezy, perfect for hot summer days. It has two asphalt-paved runways, each measuring 6,500 by 150 feet, and one helipad. The airport handles a variety of aircraft operations, including air taxi, scheduled commercial, general aviation, and military.

Several airlines offer flights to and from Lihue Airport, including Hawaiian Airlines, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and WestJet. These airlines provide direct flights to Kauai from cities like Seattle, Portland, San Jose, San Diego, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Denver, and Chicago. The flight time to Kauai varies depending on the departure city and whether the flight is direct or has layovers. For example, flights from Los Angeles and San Francisco typically take around 5-6 hours, while flights from Seattle take about 6-7 hours.

The airport is easily accessible by road, with vehicular access provided by Ahukini Road, which extends from Kapule Highway. The passenger terminal is served by a one-way loop roadway branching off Ahukini Road, encircling a public parking lot. The airport also has a variety of amenities and features, including rental car facilities, restaurants, and transportation options such as Lyft and Uber.

Lihue Airport is a convenient and well-organized gateway to the beauty and hospitality of Kauai, making it a popular choice for travellers seeking an unforgettable island experience.

Airlines that fly to Lihue Airport

The main airport on the island of Kaua'i is Līhu'e Airport (LIH), located in southeastern Līhu'e. The airport is state-owned and open-air, and it serves as the primary gateway to Kaua'i for visitors, especially tourists.

Several airlines offer flights to and from Līhu'e Airport, including:

• Hawaiian Airlines, which operates inter-island and mainland US flights.
• Southwest Airlines, which offers inter-island flights and services to Lihue Airport from various destinations.
• United Airlines, which operates flights to and from Lihue Airport using Boeing 737-800, Boeing 737-900ER, and occasionally Boeing 757-200 aircraft.
• Delta Air Lines, which uses the Airbus A321neo for its services to Lihue Airport.
• Alaska Airlines, which uses Boeing 737 aircraft and occasionally operates from Gate 9.
• WestJet, which operates from Gates 7 and 8.
• American Airlines, which primarily uses Gate 3 and occasionally Gate 4, flying the Airbus A321.

How to get to Kauai Calls accommodations

The airport on Kauai is called Lihue Airport (LIH) and it is located on the southeastern coast of the island, in the capital city of Lihue. It is the primary airport on the island, serving as a key point of entry for both overseas and inter-island flights.

Now, here is a step-by-step guide on how to get to your Kauai Calls accommodations from the airport:

Getting from the Airport to Your Accommodation

Lihue Airport is convenient and well-organised, with many amenities and features available. Getting to your accommodation should be straightforward, and there are several options for transport.

• Ride-share Apps: Both Lyft and Uber are authorised for drop-off and pick-up at the airport. However, as their availability on the island is limited, you may prefer to use taxis or shuttles, which are also available at the airport.
• Rental Cars: The island is small, making vehicle travel affordable. You can rent a car upon arrival, with companies such as Dollar Rent a Car, Alamo, Avis, and Budget having kiosks at the airport. It is recommended to book in advance, especially during the high season.
• Public Transport: The Kauaʻi Bus route 100/200 connects the airport to downtown Lihue.

Finding Your Kauai Calls Accommodation

Kauai Calls offers a range of accommodation options, from condo rentals on the beach to luxurious Waipouli Beach Resort and Spa. You can contact them directly for more information on specific locations and directions.

Dining Options Near the Airport

There are several dining options near the airport, offering a taste of Kauai's diverse and captivating cuisine:

• Duke's Restaurant: Named after Olympic gold medalist Duke Paoa Kahanamoku, this restaurant serves classic Hawaiian dishes. It is located 1.2 miles from the airport and is open for dinner from 4:45 pm to 9:30 pm.
• The Right Slice: A bakery offering over 80 sweet and savoury Hawaiian pie flavours, located near the airport. Open daily from 6 am to 10 pm.
• Pietro's Pizza: Serves New York-style pizza by the slice or as whole pies, as well as other Italian dishes. Located 1.2 miles from the airport and open Monday to Saturday from 11 am to 9 pm.
• The Fish Express: A casual dining option offering fresh Hawaiian fish, specialty poke bowls, and other Hawaiian dishes. Located 1.8 miles from the airport and open Monday to Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm, and Sundays from 10 am to 2:30 pm.
• Rob's Good Times Grill: Voted "Kauai's best sports bar," offering comfort food and a range of seafood, land entrees, and Asian-inspired dishes. Located 1.6 miles from the airport and open daily from 11 am to 2 am.

With these options, you can easily satisfy your hunger and get a taste of Kauai's unique cuisine as soon as you arrive.

Places to eat near the airport

The main airport on the Island of Kauai is Līhuʻe Airport (LIH), located in southeastern Līhuʻe. The airport is mostly open-air, with check-in taking place outside. It is a state-owned public-use airport, and the primary gateway to Kauai for visitors.

There are several dining options near the airport, including:

Duke’s

A laid-back restaurant located just down the road from the airport, named after Duke Kahanamoku, who travelled the world to spread the word about the Hawaiian lifestyle and surfing. The menu features local ingredients, with dishes such as panko-fried calamari, Korean sticky ribs, and seven-spice Ahi. They also serve steak and prime rib, and for dessert, you can enjoy Kimo’s original hula pie.

Pietro’s Pizza

For some comfort food, head to Pietro’s Pizza, which serves New York-style pizza with a Hawaiian twist. You can buy pizza by the slice or as a whole pie, with varieties such as the Don Pietro (pepperoni) or the Don Ho, made with Portuguese sausage and Kalua pig.

Kauai Pasta Lihue

This restaurant serves lunch and dinner, with a Hawaiian take on classic Italian dishes. Start with an appetizer like the parmesan herb-sautéed fresh mozzarella, followed by an entree such as lobster and shrimp ravioli or homemade lasagna. Be sure to save room for dessert, with options like basil-infused panna cotta.

Ai Ono Cafe

Located in the airport, Ai Ono Cafe offers a range of dishes, including sandwiches, burgers, and hot dishes, along with daily specials and local favourites.

Stinger Ray's Tiki Bar and Lounge

Also located in the airport, this bar and lounge serves local favourites and tropical drinks in an open-air setting.

Mea Inu Bar and Grill

This airport bar and grill offers locally brewed microbrews from various islands, allowing guests to sample the exotic flavours of Hawaii in a comfortable setting.

How early to arrive at the airport

The main airport on the island of Kauai is the Līhuʻe Airport (LIH), located in southeastern Līhuʻe. It is a small-hub primary commercial service facility, owned by the state of Hawaii and serving as the primary gateway to Kauai for visitors and tourists. The airport is mostly un-walled and open-air, with check-in taking place outside.

To ensure you arrive at the airport with enough time to spare, it is recommended that you refer to the check-in times of your specific airline. For instance, Hawaiian Airlines advises that you arrive at the check-in lobby 2 hours and 30 minutes prior to departure for flights from North America to Hawaii, and 1 hour and 30 minutes prior to departure for flights within Hawaii.

In addition to check-in times, it is important to consider other factors that may impact your arrival time at the airport. For example, if you are dropping off a rental car, you may need to allow extra time for refueling and returning the vehicle. The time of day and day of the week can also affect airport traffic and wait times. For instance, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has advised travelers to arrive early, particularly during the summer travel season, as the volume of travelers can be higher than usual. At the LIH airport, the peak travel times are 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., with Thursday through Sunday being the busiest days.

To make your travel experience as smooth as possible, it is advisable to follow the TSA's recommendations for preparing for the security screening process. This includes reducing the number of carry-on bags, ensuring you do not have any prohibited items, and having your photo identification and boarding pass readily available. By planning ahead and allowing ample time for check-in, security, and boarding, you can ensure that you make the most of your time in Kauai without missing your flight.

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