Airport Guides, Reviews & Travel Tips

Kona Airport Guide

1/5 – Avoid

Whether you have a layover, overnight sleepover or you are just quickly passing through, our Kona Airport Guide is a great place to start planning your visit.  

They can’t close the doors because there are no doors but they have a motion sensoring. -Wandering fox

KOA Airport Overview

Kona International Airport (code: KOA) comprises two small open-air-style terminals with limited services. The airport has a landside snack bar, and each terminal has an airside restaurant. There are newsstands/gift shops in both terminals and on both sides of security. Service operating hours are dictated by flight schedules, so plan accordingly. WiFi is available to help pass the time. And if you don’t mind paying, you may be able to access the airport’s first-class lounge.

Sleeping in Kona Airport

Any passengers attempting to overnight at the airport are directed by airport security to the hard wooden benches at the small rental car facility across the street from the airport. Have a travel mat and pillow handy to add some comfort! For uninterrupted sleep, there are hotels within a quick shuttle ride of the airport. See Airport Hotels in the guide below.

Read traveller airport reviews for more tips. For more airport information, continue scrolling down to explore more in our Kona Airport Guide.

To help us keep this guide up-to-date, you can add or update information or write a review to submit airport tips and photos.

Airport Hours

The terminal is reported to open around 4:00 AM and close after the last departing flight.

Rest & Relaxation Zones

There are no dedicated sleeping areas, quiet areas or rest zones. If this information has changed, click here to update this guide.

Airport Hotels

If you’d prefer not to sleep in the airport, you’ll find a mix of bed and breakfasts, hotels and oceanfront resorts a short drive from Kona Airport. The nearest accommodation is about 7.2 miles (11.6 km) away, so you’ll need a taxi, rideshare or rental car to reach it. Here are the closest options.

Mango Sunset Bed & Breakfast
(4.5 mi) Bed and breakfast.

Four Seasons Resort Hualalai
(7.1 mi) Luxury oceanfront resort.

Courtyard by Marriott King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel
(7.2 mi) Upscale oceanfront hotel.

Pacific 19 Kona
(7.2 mi) Boutique hotel.

Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Kailua-Kona by IHG
(7.4 mi) Mid-range hotel.

Airport Lounges

Regardless of what class of service you are flying, there is a lounge that you can enter through a lounge membership program.

Hawaiian Airlines Premier Club
Location: Airside, Terminal 2, near Gate 10.
Hours: Opens 90 minutes before the first Hawaiian Airlines departure until the last Hawaiian Airlines flight of the day (based on flight schedules). Showers: No. Dedicated Rest Zone: No. Sleep Facilities: No. Lounge Access: Hawaiian Airlines Premier Club membership • Hawaiian Airlines Pualani Gold/Platinum frequent flyers • First Class passengers on Hawaiian Airlines.

American Airlines Admirals Club
Location: Airside, Terminal 2, near Gate 9.
Hours: Opens 90 minutes before the first American Airlines departure until the last American Airlines flight of the day (based on flight schedules). Showers: No. Dedicated Rest Zone: No. Sleep Facilities: No. Lounge Access: Admirals Club membership • Eligible AAdvantage elite members • Oneworld Sapphire and Emerald passengers flying American or a Oneworld partner • First and Business Class passengers on American or Oneworld partners • Day passes available via the Admirals Club program.

Food & Drinks

At the time of this update, there are no 24-hour dining options. Laniakea by Centerplate operates in both terminals:

  • Terminal 1 – Hours: 11:30 AM – 3:00 PM and 6:30 PM – 10:30 PM. Bar service available 11:00 AM – 10:30 PM.
  • Terminal 2 – Hours: 6:00 AM – 10:30 PM. Bar service available 11:00 AM – 10:30 PM.

Water refill stations are available for filling reusable bottles.

Mobile Charging

Charging stations are available in some gate seating areas. A reader reports outlets in the Gate 6, Gate 8, and Gate 9 waiting areas, with stations offering two AC outlets and four USB ports each.

WiFi / Internet

Free WiFi is available at Kona Airport. Select the “KOA Free WiFi” network.

More Airport Information

More Services, Facilities & Things To Do On A Layover

ATMs / Cash Machines – Need cash? ATMs are available. Fees may apply, so check your bank’s fee schedule and daily withdrawal limit if travelling internationally. You may also want to notify your bank of your travel plans. Locations: Terminal 1 • Terminal 2.

Baggage Carts – Need help with your luggage? Baggage carts are available for rent in the baggage claim areas of Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. Rates: unknown.

Duty-Free & Shopping – Duty-free shopping is not available. A small selection of gift shops, lei stands, and newsstands can be found in Terminal 1 and Terminal 2.

Information Desk – Need help or directions? Volunteer-staffed information desks are available throughout the terminals. Hours: 7:45 AM – 9:00 PM.

Luggage Storage & Lockers  – Unavailable.

Medical Services – Airport Rescue and Firefighters provide emergency first responder medical assistance. Hours: available 24 hours.

Showers – Unavailable.
Smoking – Smoking is only permitted in the uncovered parking lot.
Space Center – The Astronaut Ellison S. Onizuka Space Center is an educational facility dedicated to Hawaii’s first astronaut, who died in the 1986 Challenger mission. Hours: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM.

Airlines
Kona Airport is served by the following airlines: Air Canada • Alaska Airlines • American Airlines • Delta Air Lines • Go! Mokulele • Hawaiian Airlines • Japan Airlines • Pacific Wings • Southwest • United Airlines • US Airways • WestJet.
Airport Transportation: Getting To/From The Airport

Bus

The Heel-On Bus Transit Agency provides limited service between the airport and the town. The bus stop is outside the airport’s entrance/exit, between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. For details, visit the Heel-On Bus website.

Car Rentals

The following car rental agencies serve the airport in nearby off-site locations: Alamo • Avis • Budget • Dollar • Enterprise • Hertz • National • Thrifty.

Hotel Shuttles

See Airport Hotels above.

Shuttles

SpeediShuttle offers door-to-door shared-ride service between the airport and destinations throughout the island. A SpeediShuttle service counter is available in Baggage Claim.

Taxis

Taxis are available curbside, outside of Baggage Claim areas A and B, on a 24-hour basis. All taxis are metered, and reservations are not required. As of this update, the following are estimated one-way fares: Kailua Kona Town $25; Four Seasons Hualalai/Kona Village Resort $25; Kings Shops/Queens Marketplace $50 and Waimea $100.

Security & Safety

Sleeping in any airport can include a certain level of risk, especially when travelling alone. It’s important to take certain precautions to ensure your safety and the security of your valuables. Here are a few tips:

  • Safety First. It’s a good idea to know where the security office is located and look for video cameras where you plan to sleep. You can also ask the security personnel for advice on the safest places to spend the night.
  • Don’t Seclude Yourself. If you’re travelling alone, we recommend you stay near other travellers or close to security. This will help you feel more secure and deter potential thieves.
  • Hide Your Valuables. It’s also important to hide your valuables. Don’t leave them out in plain view, as this could make you a target for theft. Additionally, if you are a deep sleeper, you may want to padlock your bag to something or sleep with your bag up against a wall to make it harder for someone to access zippers and pockets. We have received reports of sleepers who woke up without their phones and laptop bags. The travellers were left with just their headphones and laptop bag strap.
  • Stay Alert. It’s best to stay alert and awake if you feel unsafe or uncomfortable. Drink coffee or other caffeinated beverages to help you stay awake, and remember that you can always catch up on sleep during your flight. These simple precautions can help you enjoy a safe night at the airport.

Last updated: 2026-03-04

This guide is for planning purposes only. Details, including rates and hours, may change without notice. Information comes from airports and service providers, their websites, and traveller submissions. We do not represent these providers. To share corrections or updates: write a review or update the airport guide.

Airport at a Glance

Sleepability:

4 Reviews
Avoid