Hawai’i is an island out in the Pacific Ocean, so you can’t drive there, but you can sail, cruise, or fly there. After you arrive on the Big Island, you can drive to Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park.
Map of the Big Island of Hawai'i / Moon Travel Guides
You can fly into Hilo International Airport or Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport, both on the Big Island. The airport at Kona services more commercial airlines, while Hilo is serviced by inter-island carriers Hawaiian Airlines and Southwest Airlines.
After landing, you may rent a car (or pick one you’ve reserved) to drive to the park. The rental car agencies are small, so it’s definitely a good idea to reserve your vehicle far ahead of your trip. While there are no gas stations or EV (electric vehicle) chargers within the park, both may be found all along the island, though not necessarily as full-service stations. Kailua-Kona and Hilo have the largest concentration of both refueling types.
- Driving from Hilo: 30 miles (48.3 km) southwest on Highway 11 (45-minute drive)
- Driving from Kailua-Kona: 95 miles (152.9 km) southeast on Highway 11 (2-to-2.5-hour drive), or 125 miles (201.2 km) through Waimea and Hilo via highways 19 and 11 (2.5 to 3 hours).
There is no shuttle bus or public transportation within the park, however, there is public transportation via Hele On Bus, an island-wide public bus service operated by Hawaiʻi County, which includes daily stops at Kīlauea Visitor Center. Please be aware, though, Hele On Bus schedules are subject to change and delays.
If you are thinking of a rideshare app like Uber or Lyft, the park is in a rural area of the island, 30 miles (48.3 km) away from the closest population center with rideshare drivers. Driver availability is limited and often, rideshare apps are difficult, if not impossible, to use within the park.
