Is Hawaii "worth it" from the east coast?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:East Coast resident here who spends 5 weeks a year a year in Hawaii. Hawaii is great, it may not be for everyone. Hawaii is made up of 4 major islands, they are all different in their own right. As PPs have said, it's all about what you are looking for in a vacation. Yes, the flights are long, but doable. You will most likely have to change planes, unless you are going from IAD to HNL, which they cut back on the frequency of that flight. I have gone so many different routes to get there, my child has grown up going there too. It's our family favorite.

IAD to HNL - is that United? What was/is the frequency?

I think they got rid of it all together. We were booked on it for the summer and they switched us to 1 change in DEN.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:East Coast resident here who spends 5 weeks a year a year in Hawaii. Hawaii is great, it may not be for everyone. Hawaii is made up of 4 major islands, they are all different in their own right. As PPs have said, it's all about what you are looking for in a vacation. Yes, the flights are long, but doable. You will most likely have to change planes, unless you are going from IAD to HNL, which they cut back on the frequency of that flight. I have gone so many different routes to get there, my child has grown up going there too. It's our family favorite.

IAD to HNL - is that United? What was/is the frequency?

I think they got rid of it all together. We were booked on it for the summer and they switched us to 1 change in DEN.

They are still selling it in the future. Next winter/early spring it’s almost every day. Not sure if it will hold, obviously.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We like to fly to LAX, stay the night, then fly to Hawaii. The flights aren't as long and the night in CA gets us a jump start on timezones. We are also usually able to use miles to get to LAX, making the trip much more affordable.

This is almost two days of travel each way. This sounds insane to go relax on the beach. I live on in the PNW and I like Hawaii, but I can get a 6 hour flight. I wouldn't keep going if I had to do what you're describing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We like to fly to LAX, stay the night, then fly to Hawaii. The flights aren't as long and the night in CA gets us a jump start on timezones. We are also usually able to use miles to get to LAX, making the trip much more affordable.

This is almost two days of travel each way. This sounds insane to go relax on the beach. I live on in the PNW and I like Hawaii, but I can get a 6 hour flight. I wouldn't keep going if I had to do what you're describing.

Only lunatics would make a long flight even longer with a stay in LAX.

We've gone with a few times with our kids and it's fine. We just nap and watch movies. Heading there, it's 11-13 hours flying time, depending on route. With the time change you still arrive relatively early in the day (for non-stop, leave at 7am & arrive at 1pm). Heading back, it's more like 8-10 hours, depending on route and winds. Very manageable for our family.

We'd rather just get there and enjoy our vacation days there instead of LAX.

[Anonymous]

NP. We are also considering a trip to Hawaii but aren't really sure it's worth it either, due to the excessively long flight(s). But don't people on the west coast feel the same way about flying to Europe?

[Anonymous]

Hawaii is amazing. I love all of the islands and have been many times with our kids. Completely different vibe than the Caribbean

[Anonymous]

Hawaii is a completely different experience. I’ve been to Bahamas and Caymans, and they are great for snorkeling and sitting on a beach. Hawaii is for hiking and doing. The mountains and waterfalls are stunning.

I’ve been to Costa Rica twice and would never want to go back. I liked Hawaii much much more.

[Anonymous]

What is the best time to go to Hawaii if you don’t like crowds, but also don’t like cold water?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What is the best time to go to Hawaii if you don’t like crowds, but also don’t like cold water?

Hawaii’s water is never super warm, even in August. It’s refreshing. Try late Sept, late May/early June to avoid crowds but you’re never going to get Gulf of Mexico in July water temp.

[Anonymous]

I am glad I got to see it.

Great snorkeling, beaches. Expensive. Worth the trip, to know what it is like.

probably would not go back, because of the distance, but I like knowing what Hawaii is like (just like I wanted to see Alaska). I am a curious/interested person.

We broke our trip up by stopping in CA I think.

We did Maui and the Big Island (don’t underestimate the distances on the latter).

Go for it, YOLO.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have been almost everywhere in the world and have been to Hawaii 5 times.

Many places in the Caribbean are as nice or nicer such as Turks + Caicos, Nevis, St. Barts, St. Lucia, etc.

T&C has crippling poverty. And there isn’t much to do beyond beach and boating.

The water and beaches are lovely. And it has a handful of great restaurants.

I hated T & C. If you leave your resort, you see how the people live. It is a barren island, not lush at all. Hawaii is one thousand times better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not worth it with little kids. Ask me how I know.

Won’t go back until our youngest is at least 8 years old.

My nine year old has already gone twice. Worth it for us!

We went with our 4 year old and a year later he still says it’s his favorite. We did big island and did hiking and beaches. If your into the outdoors then it’s worth it but not just for the beach

Favorite of someone who has been on the planet five years???

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
I’ve been to Costa Rica twice and would never want to go back. I liked Hawaii much much more.

Apples and oranges

[Anonymous]

This thread is super interesting to me to read… been on all 4 of the Hawaiian islands and probably 15+ islands in the Caribbean…. Love them all. Distance is definitely a big factor with small kids and less time.

[Anonymous]

You can do just as well (if not better) in other tropical islands in the Carribbean. In my opinion, the flight is not worth it.