Have you ever considered taking a stopover on your way to Hawaii? Flying to Hawaii is a long trip, especially if you’re traveling from the central and eastern parts of North America. If you’ve never considered breaking your trip up; you should! Keep reading to learn the best stopovers on the way to Hawaii, and why you’re missing out if you’re not doing one.

It’s important to first understand what a stopover is. A stopover in air transportation is generally defined as a stop lasting more than 24-hours. Not to be confused with a layover, which can be anywhere from under an hour all the way up to 24-hours. For example, if you’re flying from Miami to Honolulu, and you have a 2-hour stop in Dallas to change planes – that’s a layover. You could have two or more layovers each direction on an airline ticket. Although you’ll be able to see any layovers prior to purchasing your plane ticket, they’re determined by the airline.

A stopover is deliberate. In essence, it’s like you’re getting a bonus trip. You can fly into one city, spend a few days exploring, and then continue on to your ultimate destination. Alternately, you can book your stopover on the way home instead.

Should I Take a Stopover on the Way to Hawaii?

Before we discuss the best stopovers on the way to Hawaii, let’s talk about the “why”. People may have a myriad of reasons why they want a stopover on the way to Hawaii, but we believe these are the two most popular.

They Make Sense Financially

It’s no secret that flights are usually the most expensive part of your vacation. Although you’re still responsible for your accommodations, meals, transportation and excursions wherever you stop, you’re still saving money. You save money because you don’t have to buy a separate plane ticket to visit that destination. You’re lumping it in with an existing ticket!

They Break Your Trip Up

If you have to travel a long distance to reach Hawaii, a stopover is the perfect way to break your trip up. Reasons you may want to give yourself a break from the plane ride could be physical, such as conditions that make sitting for long periods of time unhealthy. Another reason is if you’re traveling with small children. Parents of babies and toddlers can attest that long flights can be challenging, but a stopover is the perfect way to give everyone a much-needed sanity-break.

It’s a Big World Out There

My favorite reason to take a stopover on the way to Hawaii is…just because. There’s a lot to see in the world, and travel is truly a blessing. If you can, you should!

What are the best stopovers on the way to Hawaii?

For the purposes of this article, we are going to focus on our favorite stopovers in the US if your flights originate in the eastern or central portions of the country. If you’re flying from eastern Canada, you may want to check out Vancouver. Coming from Europe? Spend a few days in NYC. The possibilities are endless!

Best stopovers on the way to Hawaii:

San Francisco

Undeniably one of the best stopovers on the way to Hawaii is San Francisco. Even if you only have a couple days to spend, you can still see much the city has to offer. Take an open air bus tour of the city, visit one of the many museums and galleries, satisfy all your foodie cravings in Chinatown and don’t forget the Golden Gate Bridge!

Los Angeles

Spend some time in the “City of Angels” before you head to Hawaii. Highlights include the Hollywood Sign, shopping on Rodeo Drive, a movie studio tour or head to Venice Beach and the Santa Monica Pier.

Disneyland

Orlando’s Disney World gets all the attention, but we know that Anaheim’s Disneyland is where the magic really is. Comprised of two parks: Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure, its smaller park size is much more manageable, and southern California’s weather is much more agreeable. We recommend staying at the Camelot Inn, only a stone’s throw from the park entrance.

In addition to Disneyland, check out the Southern California beaches close to Anaheim. Standouts are Dana Point, Laguna Beach, Newport Beach and Crystal Cove State Park.

Seattle

If you want to add a little atmospheric moodiness to your vacation before you get to sunny Hawaii, Seattle is the place to go! Seattle, the heart of the Pacific Northwest, offers much to see and do. Highlights include the Space Needle, Pike Place Market, Chinatown and the Seattle Aquarium.

Las Vegas

Affectionally known in Hawaii as the “ninth island”, Las Vegas has come a long way in recent years. Recognized as a mecca for dining, shopping, entertainment, relaxation as well as gambling, you won’t be at a loss for things to do. Additionally, the Grand Canyon is only a 45-minute helicopter tour ride away.

Now that you know the best stopovers on your way to Hawaii, we hope you’ll consider one of our popular and affordable Hawaii All-Inclusive Vacation Packages. We offer interest-free payment options and early booking options to make it easy for you. Contact us today to get started!