I would seriously consider giving yourself an extra day or two on the front or back end if you have someone reliable watching your toddler and you and DH have the vacation. You will be very tired at the beginning (waking up at 4 am). It's a LONG trip and an amazing location. It's a shame to rush back. Your toddler will be fine for a couple extra days. I'd say Tues to Sat or Sunday at least.

It's 10 hours direct from Dulles to Honolulu.. that's longer than a flight to Europe. Also factor in the major jet lag.

You could break it up and do 5 hours to west coast like to Seattle or LA, then another 5 to Maui. Look at Alaska Airlines -- they fly a lot to Hawaii (inexplicable, but true) via Seattle and LA.

Anonymous wrote:a short trip to Maui sounds like hell to me, especially if you have are pregnant and coming home to a toddler which means you can't even come home and rest for a few days.

+1 And once you're there, you won't want to leave.

I would think all that time in the air would be hard on you if you're in the second half of your pregnancy too.

There are direct flights (AA) from California to Maui, I'd start with that. It's not to bad flying out, but its kind of a nightmare flight home because of the length and time change - my husband and I boarded our flight Sunday afternoon, and I was home in time to go straight to work late Monday morning (ugh). Also Hawaii is incredible and once you are there you might think, shoot, why did I insist on such a quick turnaround? I'd fly in Wednesday to be sure you get there in time despite whatever travel hiccups might occur en route.

a short trip to Maui sounds like hell to me, especially if you have are pregnant and coming home to a toddler which means you can't even come home and rest for a few days.

I think the answer depends on two factors: how far along you are going to be and where you are flying from.
If I were flying from the East Coast AND pregnant I would want to stay as long as possible but that is just me.
It is a damn long flight for a pregnant woman (although I know women who did it 8+ months pregnant and were OK).

I would do Tuesday to Saturday

Anonymous wrote:I misread your OP. If the wedding is on Friday night, you could leave Saturday morning and be home Sunday night at the latest.

When we came back from Hawaii, the only flights were redeyes. Maybe that's changed... but Saturday morning may not be an option.

Still to get to east coast, red eye to LAX. The xfer to IAD. It was around 5 pm when we got back, as I recall.

Anonymous wrote:you can fly to maui from the continental US (LA/SF). I think the fastest trip would be leaving thursday morning, getting to maui Thursday night, and flying back Sunday. You'll most likely have an overnight layover in LA/SF on sunday night/monday morning, but you could be back to dc by monday evening.

So, Thursday morning - Monday evening.

You're a very good friend. No way I'd fly to Maui for 48 hours. And I say this as someone who just honeymooned there.

Yes, there are many direct flights in and out of Maui. You're going to be ready to go bed right away when you get there.
The question is, when do you want to leave? Lots of sleeping on the way back, if you can sleep on a plane.

I would add a day on the front end to help adjust to the time change. I slept the whole first day I was there. Plus if you run into any travel issues you'd have a little buffer time.

I agree with PP that the fastest trip would be Thursday morning to Saturday (you'll likely leave Maui midday/early afternoon, have a long west coast layover, and get home early Sunday morning). You could also consider the nonstop from Dulles to Honolulu -- I'm not sure that it's any faster, but it might save you some travel time?

I would, however, highly recommend that you consider flying Wednesday to Saturday (or even Sunday) if you can swing it. It's a long flight, it's at least an hour's drive once you're on the island, it's a six-hour time difference, you're pregnant . . . . Kudos to you for being such a great friend and making it work, but if you can squeeze even one extra night in on one end of the trip or the other you should do it!

OP here - Thanks, PP. I can't say I'm thrilled at the cost or the distance, but I'm trying to be a good friend! Tickets are almost $1,000 per person!

I misread your OP. If the wedding is on Friday night, you could leave Saturday morning and be home Sunday night at the latest.

you can fly to maui from the continental US (LA/SF). I think the fastest trip would be leaving thursday morning, getting to maui Thursday night, and flying back Sunday. You'll most likely have an overnight layover in LA/SF on sunday night/monday morning, but you could be back to dc by monday evening.

So, Thursday morning - Monday evening.

You're a very good friend. No way I'd fly to Maui for 48 hours. And I say this as someone who just honeymooned there.

Friend is getting married in Maui in September. Wedding is on Friday evening, I need to be there for bridesmaid duties all day Friday. I am also pregnant and have a toddler at home, who I don't want to leave for too long. What is the most realistic turn-around time for this kind of trip? I realize DH and I will have to fly into Oahu and take a puddle jumper to Maui, so likely a day of flying on either end. I was hoping for Wednesday or Thursday through Saturday but am not sure if jetlag will make that timing miserable.

Thoughts?