Lihue Airport, Kaua’i - Airport Guide
Lihue Airport, Kaua’i - Airport Guide 🏝 Welcome to Lihue Airport (LIH)! Everything you need to know about Kauai’s gateway. 1. Where exactly is Lihue Airport located? Lihue Airport is situated at 3901 Mokulele Loop, about 1.5 miles (2 km) east of Lihue town on Kauai’s southeast coast 2. What airlines fly in and out of LIH? Major carriers include Hawaiian Airlines, Alaska, American, Delta, United, Southwest, and seasonal WestJet service to Vancouver 3. When should I arrive prior to my flight? For neighbor-island hops, arrive ~90 minutes early. For mainland flights, aim for ~2½ hours before departure . 4. How does inter-island luggage handling work? Checked bags are typically tagged through to the final destination—but be sure to request ‘final destination LIH’ at your origin 5. What ground transportation options are available? You’ve got rental cars (on-site), taxis, the local bus (routes 100/200), plus limited ride-share like Holoholo & hotel shuttles 6. Are there parking, charging, or waiting options? – Parking: Free for 15 min, then $1/half‑hour up to $15/day; monthly at $160 – EV charging: One 2‑spot station, $7/day – Cell‑phone lot: Free, open 5 am–10 pm for up to an hour 7. What amenities are at LIH? You’ll find ATMs, Starbucks, Ai Ono Café, Stinger Ray’s tiki bar, Mea Inu Bar, shops, gift stands, visitor bureau booths—but no free Wi‑Fi, nap pods, baggage lockers, or showers 8. What’s the terminal like? A single, compact, mostly open-air terminal (Kawakami Terminal) with two runways and about 8–10 gates. Air‑conditioned gate areas, partial airport lounges available 9. What should I know about agricultural inspections and TSA? All baggage goes through Hawaii’s agricultural screening—expect extra scans for fruit/plant material. TSA check-in cutoffs are ~30 min for inter-island and ~45 min for mainland flights 10. What are tips and local insights? – Sit on the left side of the plane for dramatic Kauai views – Beat car‑rental lines by sending one person ahead to the shuttle while the other collects baggage – Watch for road construction delays near Kapa’a—leave extra time – Fill up gas before returning cars—no station right at the airport – If using TSA PreCheck, print or reprint boarding passes via kiosk to ensure PreCheck stamp 🎯 Summary Lihue Airport is small, friendly, and efficient—embracing that relaxed Kauai charm. Just plan ahead for transportation, skip reliance on Wi‑Fi or fancy amenities, and enjoy the tropical breeze while waiting for your flight! 👍 Mahalo for watching! Don’t forget to like, comment your own tips, and subscribe for more Kauai travel guides and airport hacks.
