Southwest® flights from Washington D.C. Reagan National to Kona, Hawaii from $523

What to expect at Kona International Airport (KOA)

Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport (KOA) offers an arrival experience unlike most mainland airports. You'll deplane directly onto the tarmac before making your way through the airport's partially open-air terminals, so you’ll enjoy the pleasant climate and tropical breeze even while you’re waiting for baggage.

KOA is a compact airport that primarily serves leisure travelers and sits right along the west coast of Big Island. It’s a convenient gateway to Kailua-Kona, the Kohala Coast resorts, and the island's most popular attractions.

Island hopping from Kona (KOA)

The Big Island can easily fill an entire itinerary, but a flight from Washington, D.C. to Kona also sets you up perfectly to explore other islands. Flying is the go-to way to get from one island to another, whether you’re a local or a visitor, and Southwest offers frequent connection flights to Oahu, Maui, and Kauai from KOA.

That means a multi-island itinerary can be doable even on a shorter trip, so check out Hawaii inter-island flights or browse all available flights to Hawaii to start mapping out your multi-island adventure.

Getting from KOA to Kona and nearby areas

When your flight lands at KOA, you’ll be just 15 minutes from the Kailua-Kona area, as well as the Kohala Coast resorts and numerous nearby attractions. Although KOA is a convenient starting point, make a plan for how you’ll handle transportation around the island, as public transportation is more limited than on Oahu. Your options will include:

• Rental car: Renting your own vehicle is the most popular way for visitors to navigate the Big Island, especially if you want to venture out to more remote attractions like Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Rent your car in advance, then pick up at the airport.
• Rideshares and taxis: Widely available at the airport and in more populated areas, but availability can be limited at night, or in more remote locations.
• Airport shuttle: Some resorts offer shuttle service to their guests. Contact your stay ahead of time to confirm that one will be available when you arrive.

How to find cheap flights from Washington, D.C. (DCA) to Kona (KOA)

Finding a lower fare on your flight from Washington, D.C. to Kona can help you make the most of a long-distance Hawaiian getaway. These tips can help you save on airfare:

• Use the Low Fare Calendar: If your travel plans can flex, use the Southwest Low Fare Calendar to scope out the most affordable days to fly.
• Book ahead: Book your island getaway sooner rather than later, especially during the busiest seasons like summer and the winter holidays.
• Travel in the shoulder seasons: Spring and fall dates are more likely to be affordable, since you’re traveling outside of the peak vacation months.
• Get alerts: Sign up for Southwest email alerts so you get the drop on flight deals and promotions as soon as they go live.

What’s the best time to travel from Washington, D.C. to Kona?

• Peak travel periods: Winter holidays and school breaks are some of the busiest times to visit the Big Island. If you're traveling during these high-demand periods, book flights, accommodations, and rental cars well in advance.
• Whale watching: Humpback whales migrate through Hawaiian waters between December and March, making this one of the best times to experience whale-watching tours from the Big Island.
• Best value: Travelers with flexible schedules can often find lower fares and better hotel availability by visiting outside major holidays and school breaks.
• Ocean conditions: Ocean conditions vary throughout the year. Summer typically brings calmer waters along the Kona Coast for snorkeling, paddleboarding, and other water activities, while winter can produce larger swells around the island's northern shores that are suited for experienced surfers.

What to do in Kona after you land

• Kona coffee tours: Visit Kona coffee farms and sip the island’s famous brews, made from beans harvested at the source.
• Manta ray encounters: Meet these magnificent giants up close, on a nighttime dive or boat tour.
• Kealakekua Bay snorkeling: Explore this coral reef marine sanctuary famous for its colorful fish and vibrant corals.
• Hawaii Volcanoes National Park: Discover one of America’s most unique national parks: a volcanic landscape where you might actually see active lava flows.