Maui for the first time: from the airport to your stay, and how many days do you need?

How many days for Maui? Plan 5 to 6

Maui is Hawaii's second-largest island. Sunrise at Haleakalā's 3,000m-plus summit, the rainforest coast of the Road to Hāna and calm west- and south-side beaches are all on one island. The guide suggests 5 to 6 days.

The sights are spread across the island, so it suits nature and beach trips by rental car. The guide's basic route takes 4 days. A day trip on the Road to Hāna means a long drive, so staying a night in Hāna makes it more relaxed.

• Day 1: inter-island flight from Honolulu to Kahului → rental car → sunset on the beach
• Day 2: pre-dawn Haleakalā summit sunrise → Upcountry towns
• Day 3: Road to Hāna → Waiʻānapanapa State Park → Hāna town or the Kīpahulu District
• Day 4: ʻĪao Valley → Molokini snorkeling or Wailea beaches → airport

• Full Maui travel guide →
• First trip to Hawaii (Honolulu) →

Airport to your stay: via Honolulu to Kahului, then rental car, taxi or bus

The guide uses Honolulu Airport (HNL) as the gateway. Inter-island flights run from Honolulu to Kahului Airport (OGG), with a flight time of about 30 minutes; check airline official information for schedules and fares.

At Kahului Airport a rental car is the easiest option. An electric tram takes a few minutes from the terminal to the consolidated rental car facility, where you pick up the car. Demand is high, so book ahead; prices vary by company and season, so check official information.

The airport also has taxis, airport shuttles and designated ride-hailing (TNC) pickup zones. Resort areas are some distance away, so fares can add up; check official information for fares. On the public Maui Bus, Upcountry and Haiku routes stop at marked stops in front of the terminal about every 90 minutes, for about US$2 (day pass about US$4). Only one medium bag up to 22 x 14 x 9 inches (about 56 x 36 x 23 cm) that fits on your lap or under the seat is allowed, so it doesn't work with large suitcases.

• Honolulu → Kahului: inter-island flight of about 30 minutes; check airlines for schedules and fares
• Rental car: a few minutes by electric tram from the terminal; book ahead
• Taxi, shuttle or ride-hailing: TNC pickup zones; check fares officially
• Maui Bus: about every 90 minutes, about US$2 (day pass about US$4), one medium bag only

Getting around the island: a rental car is practically essential

A rental car is practically essential for spread-out sights like Haleakalā, the Road to Hāna and ʻĪao Valley. Many resorts charge for parking, so check when booking.

The Maui Bus links Kahului, Wailuku, Kīhei, West Maui and other main areas, but service is infrequent and doesn't reach Haleakalā's summit or Hāna, so treat it as a backup. Taxis and ride-hailing are handy for dinners and short trips, but can be hard to find in remote areas or before dawn.

Resort areas like Kāʻanapali and Wailea have pleasant beach walkways. Elsewhere, distances call for a car.

• Rental car: practically essential for spread-out sights; check resort parking fees
• Maui Bus: links main areas; doesn't reach Haleakalā's summit or Hāna
• Taxis and ride-hailing: short trips; hard to find in remote areas or before dawn
• Walking: beach walkways in Kāʻanapali and Wailea

Where to stay on a first visit

West Maui (Kāʻanapali and Kapalua) has resorts lining long sandy beaches, good for resort stays and sunsets. Lahaina is a community recovering from the 2023 wildfire; visit only areas officially open, with respect.

South Maui (Kīhei and Wailea) is often sunny with relatively calm water, good for families and snorkeling. Kīhei has a wide range of stays, while Wailea is a quiet resort area.

Central Maui (Kahului and Wailuku) is the island's everyday hub with the airport and big stores, well placed for any direction. Upcountry (Makawao and Kula) has cool highland towns on Haleakalā's slopes, close for sunrise trips but with few places to stay, and East Maui (Hāna) is a small town at the end of the Road to Hāna.

• West Maui: resort stays, beaches, sunsets
• South Maui: families, beaches, snorkeling
• Central Maui: airport access, local life
• Upcountry: Haleakalā access, rural feel
• East Maui (Hāna): quiet nature, an overnight stop

A basic 4-day route and the reservations to make first

On day 1, take the inter-island flight from Honolulu to Kahului, pick up a rental car, check in and watch the sunset on the beach. On day 2, see the pre-dawn Haleakalā summit sunrise (reservation and warm layers), then the Upcountry towns and a relaxed afternoon.

On day 3, start early on the Road to Hāna to Waiʻānapanapa State Park and Hāna town or the Kīpahulu District, then return before dark or stay overnight in Hāna. On day 4, visit ʻĪao Valley in the morning, then Molokini snorkeling or Wailea beaches in the afternoon, and head to the airport with time to spare.

Each vehicle entering Haleakalā's summit from 3-7 a.m. needs a sunrise reservation (about US$1) from the official booking site, released up to 60 days ahead. Entry is about US$30 per private vehicle, valid 3 days, and the same pass covers the Kīpahulu District about 12 miles past Hāna town. Non-residents must reserve a time slot in advance for Waiʻānapanapa State Park (about US$5 entry per person, about US$10 parking per vehicle, open 7 a.m.-6 p.m.). ʻĪao Valley State Monument also requires an advance reservation for non-residents; check official information for fees.

• Haleakalā sunrise: vehicles entering 3-7 a.m. need a reservation (about US$1), up to 60 days ahead
• Haleakalā entry: about US$30 per private vehicle, valid 3 days
• Waiʻānapanapa: timed reservation, about US$5 per person, about US$10 parking
• ʻĪao Valley: advance reservation for non-residents; check fees officially

When to go: warm all year, whales from November to April

According to the guide, Maui is warm all year. Humpback whales are usually seen from November to April, peaking January to March. Winter brings a little more rain and higher surf on north shores. Holidays, summer break and year-end push up flights, hotels and rental cars.

On average, the whale months of November to April have highs of 28-30°C and lows of 18-20°C, while June to September has highs of 31-32°C and lows of 21-22°C. November to March gets more rain at 46-71 mm a month, and June to September only 4-14 mm. December is the wettest month at 71 mm and June the driest at 4 mm. Remember that Haleakalā's summit is about 17°C colder than the coast.

These are the 1991–2020 normals for the Kahului Airport station from NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), U.S. Climate Normals.

• Whale season, November to April: highs 28-30°C, lows 18-20°C; most whales January to March
• November to March: 46-71 mm of rain a month; higher surf on north shores
• June to September: highs 31-32°C, 4-14 mm of rain
• Holidays, summer break and year-end: flights, hotels and rental cars cost much more

Before you go and after you land

Entry requirements (ESTA, etc.) can change, so check official US government or embassy information before you travel.

Lahaina is a community recovering from the 2023 wildfire. Follow posted signs, stay out of restricted areas and please don't photograph fire-impacted sites. Supporting businesses that have reopened helps the community. Haleakalā's summit is about 17°C (30°F) colder than the coast, and conditions before dawn are often wet, windy and below freezing. Bring a warm jacket and long pants, and move slowly at high altitude.

On the Road to Hāna, drive slowly and yield at one-lane bridges. Parking in no-parking zones brings fines, and never enter streams during heavy rain. Waves, wind and currents can be strong, so follow beach safety signs and lifeguards. Hawaii law bans the sale of sunscreens containing oxybenzone or octinoxate, and sea turtles must be viewed from at least 10 feet (3m) away, on land and in water.

• Entry requirements (ESTA, etc.): check official US government or embassy information
• Lahaina: follow posted signs; stay out of restricted areas and don't photograph fire-impacted sites
• Haleakalā summit: about 17°C colder than the coast; bring a warm jacket
• Sea turtles: keep at least 10 feet (3m) away; never touch or feed them

• Incheon → Honolulu flights →
• Airport to city: which option to choose →
• First trip abroad checklist →

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