Hilo Airport: Closest Gateway To Hawaii's Volcanoes

where is the hilo volcano airport

Hilo International Airport (ITO) is one of the two major airports on the Big Island of Hawaii. It is located on the east side of the island, just 2 miles east of the city of Hilo, the island's largest city. The airport is easily accessible by taxi, bus, or rental car, and it serves most of East Hawaiʻi, including the districts of Hilo and Puna. The IATA airport code for Hilo International Airport is ITO, and this code will appear on baggage tags for flights arriving at the airport. The airport is known for its 'indoor-outdoor' concept and the efficiency and friendliness of its staff. From Hilo Airport, it is possible to travel to the nearby Volcano area by bus or taxi.

Characteristics Values
Location East side of the Island of Hawaii
IATA Airport Code ITO
Distance from Hilo 2 miles
Distance from Volcano 29 miles
Time to Volcano by Taxi 43 minutes
Time to Volcano by Bus 3 hours 27 minutes
Area 1,391 acres
Daily Visitors 4,500
Airlines Hawaiian Airlines, Ohana by Hawaiian (operated by Empire Airlines), United Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, Mokulele, Aloha Air Cargo, and FedEx
Accessibility Accessible to visitors with disabilities
Notable Features Garden areas with native plants and sculptures, the General Lyman Exhibit, the Mauna Kea Virtual Tour

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Hilo International Airport is located on the east side of the Island of Hawaii

Hilo International Airport (ITO) is located on the east side of the Island of Hawaii, also known as the Big Island. It is one of the two major airports on the island, the other being Kona Airport (KOA) on the west coast. Hilo Airport is located just 2 miles east of the city of Hilo, the largest city on the Big Island. The airport covers 1,391 acres along the eastern shore and serves approximately 4,500 travellers per day.

The Big Island is known for its black sand beaches, active volcanoes, rugged coastlines, orchid farms, and waterfalls. The island's natural attractions include the Chain of Craters Road, a 19-mile paved road through the East Rift and coastal area of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. This road has been covered by lava several times due to eruptions of the Kīlauea volcano, one of the world's most active volcanoes. Pele, the Hawaiian goddess of fire, lightning, wind, and volcanoes, is believed to reside in the Halemaʻumaʻu crater at the summit of Kīlauea.

Hilo International Airport offers a convenient and efficient travel experience with a range of transportation options. Visitors can easily rent a car from major rental agencies and local companies outside the arrival hall or take a taxi or bus to their destination. The airport also features an airport lounge, gift shop, restaurant, and helpful information desks, embodying the laid-back and welcoming atmosphere of Hawaii.

The airport has an interesting history, starting as a single landing strip outside Hilo in 1929 and expanding over the years. During World War II, the Army Engineers took over and further developed the airport for military use, renaming it General Lyman Field in 1943 after Brigadier General Albert Kualii Brickwood Lyman, the first United States Army General of Hawaiian ancestry. Today, the airport continues to serve military operations along with commercial air carriers and air taxis.

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The IATA airport code for Hilo Airport is ITO

Hilo International Airport (ITO) is one of the two major airports on the Big Island of Hawaii. It is located on the east side of the island, just 2 miles east of the city of Hilo, the largest city on the island. The IATA airport code for Hilo Airport is ITO. This three-letter code is assigned by the International Air Transport Association and usually bears a resemblance to the airport name.

ITO is served by Hawaiian Airlines, Ohana by Hawaiian (operated by Empire Airlines), and United Airlines. It is also accessible to visitors with disabilities, with porter services available on request, guide dogs welcome, and TTYs located throughout the facility. The airport features an 'indoor-outdoor' concept, garden areas with native plants, an airport lounge, a gift shop, a restaurant, and helpful information desks.

Hilo Airport serves most of East Hawaiʻi, including the districts of Hilo and Puna, as well as parts of Hāmākua and Kaʻū. The airport is approximately 29 miles from the Volcano area, with a driving time of around 43 minutes. Visitors can also take a bus or taxi from the airport to Volcano, with a journey time of about 3 hours and 27 minutes.

The Big Island is known for its black sand beaches, active volcanoes, waterfalls, and rugged coastlines. The island's natural attractions include Akaka Falls, the East Rift's Chain of Craters Road, and the Kīlauea volcano within the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

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Hilo Airport is one of two major airports on the Big Island

Hilo International Airport (ITO) is one of two major airports on the Big Island of Hawaii. The airport is located on the east side of the island, just two miles from the city of Hilo, the island's largest city. Hilo Airport serves most of East Hawaiʻi, including the districts of Hilo and Puna, as well as parts of Hāmākua and Kaʻū. It is easily accessible to visitors with disabilities, and ground transportation is available.

The other major airport on the Big Island is Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport (KOA), located 8 miles above Kailua-Kona on the west coast. Kona is the more popular town among tourists. If you're planning to visit attractions across the island, it's worth noting that it takes about 2 hours to drive from Kona to Hilo.

Hilo Airport has an 'indoor-outdoor' concept and is known for its friendly and efficient staff. The airport has a capacity of approximately 4,500 people per day and is served by Hawaiian Airlines, Ohana by Hawaiian, and United Airlines. Cargo services are provided by Aloha Air Cargo and FedEx. Visitors can enjoy an airport lounge, gift shop, lei stand, newsstand, and restaurant.

The IATA airport code for Hilo Airport is ITO. It is believed that the airport was named after one of the first Hawaiian Airlines station managers, Mr. Ito. Alternatively, the name may be derived from the fact that, in the first half of the twentieth century, residents of the Big Island referred to the City of Hilo as Hilo Town, with Hilo being the closest city to the airport.

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It takes 43 minutes to drive the 29 miles from Hilo Airport to Volcano

Hilo International Airport (ITO) is located on the east side of the Island of Hawaii, also known as the Big Island. The Big Island is home to active volcanoes, orchid farms, waterfalls, black sand beaches, and a rugged coastline. The airport itself is located just two miles east of the city of Hilo, the largest city on the Big Island.

The distance between Hilo Airport (ITO) and Volcano is approximately 43 miles by road. It takes approximately 43 minutes to drive the 29 miles from Hilo Airport to Volcano. There are a few different ways to travel between Hilo Airport and Volcano, including by bus, taxi, or car. The best way to get from Hilo Airport to Volcano without a car is by bus, which takes around 3 hours and 27 minutes. The Hele-On Bus service operates every four hours and costs as little as $15.

If you prefer a quicker journey, you can opt for a taxi or rental car. Taxi services are readily available at Hilo Airport, with a designated taxi lane for queuing in front of the baggage claim area. Rental car agencies are also conveniently located just outside the arrival hall, offering both local and major companies to choose from.

When travelling from Hilo Airport to Volcano, you may pass through the Chain of Craters Road, a 19-mile winding paved road through the East Rift and coastal area of the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. This road has a rich history, having been built in 1928 and lengthened in 1959 to reach the town of Kalapana. Over time, parts of the road have been covered by lava due to eruptions of the Kīlauea volcano, one of the most active volcanoes on the island.

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The cheapest way to get from Hilo Airport to Volcano is by bus

Hilo International Airport (ITO) is located on the east side of the Island of Hawaii, also known as the Big Island. The Big Island is known for its active volcanoes, orchid farms, waterfalls, and rugged coastline. Hilo International Airport is one of the two major airports on the Big Island, serving most of East Hawaiʻi, including the districts of Hilo and Puna.

To get from Hilo Airport to Volcano, there are three main options: bus, taxi, or car. The cheapest way to travel between the two locations is by bus. Although there is no direct bus from Hilo Airport to Volcano, bus services operated by Hele-On Bus offer a convenient and affordable option. Here is some detailed information on taking the bus from Hilo Airport to Volcano:

Bus Options:

  • Hele-On Bus Services: Hele-On Bus operates a bus service from Mo'oheau Bus Terminal to Volcano Village Volcano Post Office. This bus service departs every four hours and runs daily. The journey takes approximately one hour, and there are about eight buses running between these two locations every day, Monday through Saturday.
  • Bus Transfers: If you don't mind transfers, you can also take a bus from Hilo Airport Road @ Hilo International Airport, with connections at Kings Landing and Mo'oheau Bus Terminal, before arriving at Volcano Village Volcano Post Office. This journey, including transfers, takes approximately 3 hours and 27 minutes.

Other Options:

While taking the bus is the most cost-effective option, there are also other ways to get from Hilo Airport to Volcano:

  • Taxi: Taking a taxi is the fastest way to travel between Hilo Airport and Volcano, with an approximate travel time of 43 minutes. However, it is important to note that the cost of a taxi ride can range from $100 to $120.
  • Rental Car: If you prefer more flexibility, renting a car is also an option. You can easily find most major rental car agencies and some local companies just outside the arrival hall at Hilo Airport. The local rental car companies often offer competitive rates. The driving distance between Hilo Airport and Volcano is approximately 29 miles, and the drive typically takes around 40 minutes.

By utilizing the bus services, taxi options, or rental car opportunities available, you can easily travel from Hilo Airport to Volcano, choosing the option that best suits your preferences and budget.

Frequently asked questions

The Hilo International Airport (ITO) is located on the east side of the Island of Hawaii. It is one of the two major airports on the Big Island, the other being Kona Airport (KOA).

The fastest way to get from Hilo Airport (ITO) to Volcano is by taxi, which takes 43 minutes and costs $100-$120. The cheapest option is by bus, which costs $2 and takes 3 hours and 27 minutes.

The airport has an 'indoor-outdoor' concept, a garden with native plants and sculptures, an airport lounge, a gift shop, a lei stand, a newsstand, and a restaurant.

If you want to see a lot of the Big Island, it is recommended to fly into Kona Airport and fly out of Hilo Airport. This saves time on your itinerary and rental car return.

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