Sleeping in Airports

Kona Airport Guide

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.  Here, you’ll find information on services and facilities available inside the airport – including details about airport lounges, WiFi, mobile charging points, lockers, 24-hour food options, nearby hotels, and everything in between.

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

KOA Airport Overview

kona airport guideTo help you plan your layover or overnight sleepover, here is a quick run-down about what to expect during your time at Kona International Airport.

What to Expect

Kona International Airport (code: KOA) consists of  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 newsstand/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. See Airport Lounges in the guide below for location and access information.

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 or read some traveller airport reviews for more tips.

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. You can also visit the airport’s web site for current information.  For more airport information continue scrolling down to explore more in our Kona Airport Guide.

In this guide we may refer to locations as “landside” and “airside”. Landside is the public area of the terminal located in the non-secure zone, before security. Airside is the secure area of the terminal that you must reach by going through security.  For more information on Europe’s Schengen Area, click here.

airport loungeAirport Lounges

Pay-per-use, Single Visit Passes & Lounge Memberships

Regardless of what class of service you are flying, there is a lounge that you can enter through a lounge membership program. Visit the individual lounge page for more details about the lounge itself and to also find out how you can gain lounge access with just an economy class ticket!

  • Hawaiian Premier Club – Location: Airside, next to Gate 10.  Lounge Access: Lounge membership program.

Related Pages: Kona Airport Lounges

airport hotelsAirport Hotels

If sleeping in Kona airport sounds like a nightmare, there are hotels in nearby Kailua-Kona, a 15 minute+ drive away.  Most of the area hotels are quite expensive, so visit Tripadvisor to see a list of hotels near Kona Airport and find one that suits your budget.

wifiAirport WiFi / Internet

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

airport infoMore Services, Facilities & Things To Do On A Layover At The Airport

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

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

Duty Free & Shopping – Duty free shopping is not available. There are small gift shops, lei stands and newsstands located in Terminal 1 and Terminal 2.

Food & Drinks – At the time of this update, there are no 24-hour dining options. Laniakea by Centerplate is the only restaurant available.
Location:

  • Terminal 1 – Hours: 11:30AM – 3:00PM and 6:30PM – 10:30PM. Note: bar service is available from 11:00AM – 10:30PM.
  • Terminal 2 – Hours: 6:00AM – 10:30PM. Note: bar service is available from 11:00AM – 10:30PM.

Information Desk – Information desks are located throughout the airport and are staffed with volunteers from 7:45AM – 9:00PM.

Luggage Storage & Lockers – Not available.

Medical Services – Airport Rescue and Firefighters are available 24 hours per day for first responder medical treatment.

Mobile Charging – A reader tells us “There are charging stations in the Gate 6, and gate 8 waiting areas and two in the gate 9 waiting area. They all have two AC outlets and four USB ports.”

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

Showers – Not available.

SIM Cards – A reader has asked us to include where to buy SIM Cards. If you know, click here to update this airport guide.

Smoking – The only place to smoke on airport grounds is in the uncovered parking lot.

Space Center – The Astronaut Ellison S. Onizuka Space Center is an educational facility dedicated to the memory of Hawaii’s first astronaut who perished aboard the Challenger Mission in 1986. Hours: 8:30AM – 4:30PM.

airport hoursAirport Hours

The airport is open from approx. 4:00AM – last flight. (unconfirmed)

airlinesAirlines

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 • SouthwestUnited Airlines • US Airways • WestJet.

transportationAirport 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 located 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.  Visit our travel partner at Tripadvisor to search for car rentals deals.

Hotel Shuttles

See also 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.

Last updated: 2024-01-31

This guide is for informational purposes only to assist with your planning.  All information, including rates and hours, is subject to change at any time without notice.   The information in this airport guide is based on information collected and/or received from the airports, lounges, hotels, transportation providers, and their websites. We are not representatives of any of the above-mentioned service providers. To report errors or to add/update any items mentioned in the guide: update the airport guide or  write a review.