Smartest International Layover yet
What’s a midway point between the U.S. and Japan? Hawaii, Honolulu, and Waikiki Beach.
Tips for buying plain flgiths
Hawaii has 137 islands and 5 major airports. You could fly to any of them, but economically, the best bet is Honolulu, the capital. A one-way ticket and the chance to spend 24 hours on Oʻahu—why would you pass it up?
It’s going to be a long flight no matter what; you might as well break it up into two. That’s what I thought on my most recent trip. It wasn’t my first time going to Japan, but it was the first time I had this idea. My starting point was Chicago.
DISTANCE
4,246 miles
TRAVEL TIME BY CAR
9h 15 min
I’m actually surprised. I got a $400 return ticket for 1-2 months of travel starting today, and I saw in February that the one-way flight from Chicago was $200. To someone who buys plane tickets quite regularly, seeing one that’s 9 hours long for $200 is a great deal. I might go again myself, lol.
Numbers and plain flights
Research has to be a priority when planning around the dollar signs. The only thing I want to control on any trip or adventure is how much I’m spending. Everything else is up to the world and my spirit. Round-trip purchases might seem easier in most cases, but I would choose the harder option if it could save me $200 to $500, because that money saved is money you can now use at your destination.
I usually go the route of purchasing round-trip plane tickets if the travel time is under 5 hours, and if I remember correctly, the total for my travel to Japan was around $[amount] for both legs.
Most airplanes are going to need to refuel before traveling that many miles, so you might as well be strategic about where that happens.
When you get to the airport in O’ahu, you might feel a little stranded. Getting to the airport always feels that way, and I asked people how to get to Waikiki from there. They suggested an Uber, and I replied, ‘What about the bus?’
Not a lot of people would consider the bus an acceptable mode of transportation, but in my opinion, it is the smartest option in these situations because of the money you can save by using it.
“The beauty of Waikiki is not just in its sandy shores but in the spirit of aloha that surrounds it.”
– Unknown
When I adventure, money is my lifeline. My dad would often say, ‘A fool and his money are soon parted,’ and I may be a fool, but I am also aware of that fact. I stay in hostels, and everything is expensive in Hawaii. You can make the call when you get there, but also be aware that time zones shift, so any reservations you made in advance could be for the wrong day.
Where to Take Photos
There are other locations to travel to from Waikiki, but they are not easily accessible from the area. Remember, this is just layover territory—I don’t recommend going crazy. Hawaii is expensive, and you can spend more there in a few days than in Japan in a few weeks.”
Location
This is the Waikiki area.
Nimitz Hwy and Aolele St is the name of the bus line I found online, but it’s best to also ask locals when you get there—specifically, the people in vests who are working.
