When planning itineraries for Hawaii vacations and the plans include traveling to the other islands of Maui, Big Island, Molokai, and Oahu, considering transportation options is an important step. For Lanai vacations in particular, determining how to get to Lanai is an important part of creation your vacation itinerary. The island is small and has limited transportation options that significantly decrease the choices for Lanai flights and other transportation.

Air travel is the first option, but keep in mind that getting direct Lanai flights scheduled on major airlines and jumbo jets from the mainland is not possible. Although the island has its own modern airport, landing strip, and terminal, it is set up to handle only commuter Lanai flights that originate from the other Hawaiian islands and airports. On occasion, private charter flights and emergency flights use the Lanai Airport. Visitors flying traditional airlines will first fly into Honolulu International Airport or Kahului Airport on Maui, and then change planes and board one of the commuter airlines to Lanai.

Flights to Hawaii from the U.S. can be booked on Delta, United Airlines, Continental Airlines, and American Airlines, among others, all with connecting commuter flights using one of the available airlines to Lanai.

The Lanai Airport is a short distance from Lanai City and located in the Palawai Basin, making it a convenient base for transportation to and from Lanai and the surrounding islands, with flights arriving daily at Lanai Airport from Maui and Honolulu. Limo service is available and shuttle service to and from the airport is provided by the Four Seasons Resort at Manele Bay and the Four Seasons Lodge at Koele. Taxi service is also available.

Airlines to Lanai that offer daily flights and that fly to the other islands of Maui and Oahu are Hawaiian Airlines, Aloha Airlines, and Island Air. When booking, remember to allow for peak seasons and high-volume summer and winter tourism when booking airline and commuter reservations to Lanai.

A second option to consider when deciding how to get to Lanai involves using ferries to get to the island. Ferries are reasonably priced and operate several times each day offering both one-way and round-trip options. Aboard the Expeditions Lanai Ferry, visitors are safely and quickly transported between the islands of Lanai and Maui. The Molokai Ferry, like the Lanai Ferry, transports travelers to and from the surrounding islands with qualified personnel in safe, reliable, certified boats, and experienced captains are in charge of navigating the ferries to Lanai.

Whether vacationing on Lanai or just planning a day trip to the island for sightseeing, hiking, golfing, or exploring the beaches, an excursion across the Auau channel on the Lanai ferry provides an affordable and convenient opportunity to see all the sights, view nearby islands, watch whales and dolphins along the way, making the trip to the island an enjoyable sightseeing adventure of its own.