ALOHA!
So you’re thinking about doing some biking in Hawaii! And you would like to take your own bike with you.
What’s the best airline to fly with your bike to Hawaii?!
Maybe…
Alaska Airlines!
This opinion is based on…
- Among the cheapest bike fees you’ll find flying in the U.S. with an American airline
- Among the cheapest flights to Hawaii
Cheapest bike fees for flying your bike to Hawaii
This means that the cost of your flight to Hawaii won’t be boosted by say… $150 due to baggage fees because of the bicycle policy. This seems to be around the industry norm for sports equipment like bikes on domestic flights in the United States.
Side note!
See about the best shoes for hiking in Hawaii and what to wear snorkeling in Hawaii! And for Hawaii vacation ideas, see the best things to do in Waikiki that will give you Hawaii vibes!
How much does it cost to fly a bike with Alaska Airlines?
Instead of $150, the cost of your flight will increase by a mere $25. That sounds really good compared to the $150-200 many major U.S.-based airlines may charge you to take your bike with you on your travels!
To the credit of Alaska Airlines, even before they dropped the bike fee to $25 in the summer of 2017, they had some of the cheapest rates to fly your bike in the U.S. at $75. But they took it a step further than that! (It’s unfortunate that a bike fee of $75 is considered a cheap bicycle policy.)
Technically, Alaska Airlines counts the bike as one of the pieces of checked bags, and just doesn’t charge extra for oversized nature of the sports equipment. This means a standard suitcase is also $25 to check in.
Here are some air travel cases for bikes.
Here are some suitcases if you are looking for a new one.
Among the cheapest airlines flying to Hawaii
Not only will you save on baggage fees with Alaska Airlines, you will save on the actual cost of your airline ticket to Hawaii too.
When you are looking for cheap flights to Hawaii, Alaska Airlines will likely come up in search results with some of the lowest prices.
Here’s a website that can help you find the cheapest flights to Hawaii.
If you are flying with your bike to Hawaii, it will be best to fly with a single airline one way for the duration of your journey. (Or else you may have to pay 2 separate airlines your baggage fees and bike fees.) But this flight search engine may also combine airlines so that you’re flying with one airline to Hawaii and another airline from Hawaii.
You can also search to get an idea of when the cheapest time to fly to Hawaii is too with a search of all airlines… in case you decide to not fly with your bike to Hawaii! You can have a flexible departure date, as well as set the search based on a range of days you want your trip to be.
You can also filter to search just your favorite airlines.
You can try out your own search here.
What Hawaii airports does Alaska Airlines fly into?
Alaska Airlines flies into all major Hawaiian islands. This includes:
- Oahu: Honolulu HNL
- Maui: OGG Kahului
- Kauai: LIH Lihue
- Big Island: KOA Kona (but it does not fly into ITO Hilo)
See here to see if this info has changed!
How about flying to another Hawaiian island when you’re in Hawaii?
Alaska Airlines doesn’t fly within the Hawaiian islands, also known as inter-island flights. Meaning, if you want to spend a few days biking on Oahu and then a few days biking on the Big Island, you won’t be able to fly with Alaska Airlines.
If you are looking to bike on more than one Hawaiian island during your trip, Hawaiian Airlines would be the best airline for taking your bike.
With Hawaiian Airlines, you can fly your bike between the islands for $35. Check here to see if this is updated info. You’ll be looking at the bike fee for flying to a “neighbor island.”
Note that this $35 bike fee is only for inter-island flights. Otherwise, the bike fee for Hawaiian Airlines is similar to the industry standard, and they charge you $100 to fly your bike to Hawaii from the mainland U.S.
So, how exactly can you fly your bike?
The cheapest option is to pack your bike up into a cardboard bike box. This is because you can likely get a bike box for free or cheap at your local bike store.
But if you do so, just beware of the risks that come with flying with a bike that’s in a cardboard box…
So much for the fragile sticker?
Well, I tried my best to pack it up well, but apparently not good enough! (And on the next flight it was made so there were no holes so nothing could get caught!)
It’s hard to blame this specifically on Alaska Airlines since so many people are handling your luggage. This includes from the time you check-in, to the TSA agents who will check your bike box, to other baggage handlers to make it to the plane… and then to baggage claim!
Side note: What is with all that stuff on the bike box? Well you see, I had this idea that if I just was able to get the airport baggage handlers to stop and think for just a moment, my bike would be taken care of just a tad bit better. How did it work out? Well, I don’t think they really paid attention at all to what was on the side of the box. 😀 But my idea was to have bright colored duct tape to be seen, as well as tape with a cute pattern. 😀
Bike travel cases
If you have a good bike or you just want added security, you may consider getting a hard-case bike box like one of these. This type of bike travel case would be good if you’re confident in breaking down and setting up your bike.
Things to maybe bring for your Hawaii bike ride!
- Backpack with a helmet attachment for an easy way to carry the helmet when you’re off the bike! (See picture above.)
- Bike light like one of these just in case. Even if you don’t expect to stay out past dusk, things happen! Not only is it illegal to ride at night on Oahu without a bike light, it is far safer so you can be seen!
- Money belt like one of these for easy access to your phone because photo opportunities come often. ? Also makes it easy to go pocket-free to carry cash and credit cards.
- Portable phone charger like one of these so you can keep your phone battery charged after all the GPS usage and photo taking!
- HELMET! Unfortunately bike accidents in Hawaii are a thing. Better safe than sorry! Take a look at these types of MIPS helmets. Although there’s debate as to whether MIPS technology actually makes a difference vs a normal helmet, the ideas is to limit the direction your head turns if it hits the ground.
- BIKE LOCK! Bike theft on Oahu in particular is a thing. U-lock to lock the frame and front wheel, cable lock to lock the frame and back wheel to a stationary object.
- WATER! How you want to carry your water might depend mostly on what activities you’re combining with your biking.
- If you know for sure there will be frequent places to re-fill your water bottle along the way, you may be fine with a travel-friendly water bottle in your backpack.
- This water bottle is popular in Hawaii because it keeps cold drinks cold.
- If you’re going hiking, you may consider getting a backpack with a spot to put a hydration pack like one of these! (Although the hydration pack could be good for cycling in general.)
- SNACKS! Always carry extra snacks! Even if you don’t think you’ll eat them. Having to bike back at the end of the day with no energy… NOT GOOD!
HAPPY FLYING WITH YOUR BIKE TO HAWAII!
things to do in oahu | map >> hikes – snorkeling || waikiki – north shore – east oahu
what to wear in hawaii >> what to wear hiking – what to wear snorkeling
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🐠 Here are things you must consider packing!
- Swimsuit or swimming shirt aka rash guard
- rash guard: swim set for women and swim shirt for men
- Water shoes
- Waterproof phone case (so you can capture pictures of fishies underwater!)
- cheapo phone case OR waterproof camera
- I also have this "camera" wrist float to attach to my cheapo waterproof phone case so my phone won't sink to the bottom of the ocean in case I somehow let go of it. (Mine does stay afloat - test this for yourself before completely trusting it!)
- Swimming goggles or snorkeling mask set
- Reef-safe(r) sunscreen
- lightweight travel towel:
- walking sandals:
I also don't go snorkeling without a personal swim float buoy. Not only does it help to keep me visible, but it makes for a perfect way to rest out in deeper water! Oh, and it also serves as a dry bag so I can take stuff into the water with me.
Another way I have taken valuables into the water with me is to wear a travel money belt that I don't mind getting wet with salt water (it's not waterproof but I have several so I just use one of them) and then I put things in a ziplock freezer bag, and put that freezer bag in the money belt.
There are also designated waterproof waist pouches that you can store your valuables and take into the water with you.
see more:
- What to wear hiking
- What to wear snorkeling