Southwest® flights from Baltimore/Washington to Kona, Hawaii from $300

Island Hopping from Kona (KOA)

While the Big Island gives you more than enough to explore after a flight from Baltimore to Hawaii, many travelers also use KOA as a connecting point to other islands. These short-haul flights are the primary way for locals and visitors to get between islands, and Southwest offers inter-island flights to Oahu, Kauai, and Maui on a frequent schedule.

Already dreaming of an island-hopping itinerary? Start building it from our Hawaii inter-island flights calendar, or check out all of our flights to Hawaii and explore your options.

Getting from KOA to Kona and Nearby Areas

Once your flight arrives at KOA, you’re just 15 minutes by car from downtown Kailua-Kona. While that’s an easy trip, you should take time in advance to figure out your transportation, since the Big Island can be more challenging to get around than other islands. Here are the main options:

• Rental cars: Most visitors to Big Island rent a vehicle. It’s the most convenient way to get around, and it’s required for seeing attractions outside the Kona area. Reserve your car in advance, then pick it up at the airport.
• Rideshares and taxis: It’s typically easy to find a taxi or rideshare at KOA, but availability can be limited late at night or in more remote areas.
• Hotel shuttles: Many resorts offer airport shuttle service to their guests, but check in advance to confirm the shuttle will be available when you need it.

How to Find Cheap Flights from Baltimore (BWI) to Kona (KOA)

Finding a lower fare on your flight from Baltimore to Hawaii is one of the easiest ways to save on your trip, and it’s totally doable with a few key tips:

• Use the Low Fare Calendar: The Southwest Low Fare Calendar makes it easy to spot the cheapest days to fly, so make it your first stop if your travel dates are flexible.
• Book ahead: The earlier you book, the easier it often is to snag the most affordable fares, especially on leisure routes like BWI to KOA.
• Travel off-season: Spring and fall are often less busy than the peak winter and summer travel seasons, so consider booking during these times if they align with your schedule.
• Get email alerts: Make sure you never miss another flight deal by signing up for Southwest email alerts.

What’s the Best Time to Travel from Baltimore to Kona?

• Whale watching: The best time to visit Kona to see its famous humpback whales is between December and March—but book early, because these busy months fill up quickly.
• Family travel: Bringing the kids along? Families with children often travel during summer, both because of school schedules and because the water is at its warmest and calmest.
• Best value: Spring and fall on the Big Island are often less crowded, so they’re perfect for travelers who want a quieter (and often more affordable) experience.
• Ocean conditions: The Kona Coast offers excellent snorkeling and other water activities throughout the year. Summer generally brings calmer waters for snorkeling, paddleboarding, and beginner surfers, while winter can produce larger swells around the island's northern shores.

What to Do in Kona After You Land

• Kona coffee tasting: Tour the island’s world-famous coffee farms and taste fresh brews right from the source.
• Snorkeling at Kealakekua Bay: Immerse yourself in the underwater world of this marine sanctuary, where you’ll see thousands of colorful fish and corals.
• Manta ray encounters: Nocturnal dives and boat rides give visitors the opportunity to meet Hawaii’s majestic manta rays.
• Hawaii Volcanoes National Park: Visit this unique national park and see some of America’s wildest landscapes, including the massive caldera crater of the active Kilauea volcano.