Big Island Trip - Iternary Question

Aloha,

I am planning a 3 night trip to the Big Island during Sep. I would like your advise on the following questions

1) Is middle of Sep a good time to visit Volcano National Park?

2) I am planning to arrive during the night after 10 PM. Stay overnight at a hotel near Hilo airport and then drive to VNP on next day. Is this a good idea or is it safe/convenient to drive to a B %26amp; B in the VNP Village?

3) Planning to spend an entire day in VNP. I am not a serious hiker, so is one full day enough?

4) Is there anything worth seeing in Kona?

Thanks in advance!

Big Island Trip - Iternary Question

1. Any time could be a good time and any time could be a bad time there. It could be sunny and rain five minutes later, or it could be raining and sunny a few minutes later. Just be prepared. The overall temperature is fairly warm in September.

2. It%26#39;s safe to drive to your B%26amp;B, the road is good and wide all the way to Volcano Village, just make sure you have good direction to your B%26amp;B since many of those are kind of hidden.

3. Yes.

4. You might want to check out konaforum.com, there is lots of info there about Kona.

Big Island Trip - Iternary Question

Aloha,

IMHO anytime is a good time to visit. Sept is a slower month so that will be nice for you.

The drive from the airport to Volcano Village is about 30 mins. For me, moving twice is such a short visit would be a hassle, if the B%26amp;B allows for a late check in I would go for it so you can wake up where you will be staying.

One day at VNP will allow you to see lots, it is called a drive through volcano because there are many hikes that are super easy. My children were able to do many of them pre school. What I like about VNP is there are hikes for all ages and abilities.

I think there is lots worth seeing in Kona. The real question is with only 3 nights on the Big Island is it worth driving all over the place to try and take in things you should have 7 nights to see? You may want to do a quick ride over to a nice beach to chill at, like Hapuna, or go to City of Refuge for a cultural experience. That way when you dream of coming back to the BI you will know what you missed.

konaweb.com will tell you lots of things about Kona and you can check out their cam and see kona for yourself.

Have a great trip!

While I don%26#39;t like moving, I would say it depends on how you feel about driving at night on a dark but busy road, no lighting, possible rain, in a place you haven%26#39;t been to before.

It%26#39;s about 30 miles and you won%26#39;t average more than 45 mph.

People drive scarily on that road these days, and after 10 pm you%26#39;re on the road with all the drink and drive crowd, which is worse on weekend nights (you didn%26#39;t say day of week).

Granted you are from LA! Now that%26#39;s some crazy driving.

I don%26#39;t mean to be alarmist, it%26#39;s just every time I go from Hilo to Keaau there are drivers doing sketchy stuff. You have people from Caliornia who drive like they%26#39;re still there; you have oldtimers who drive like it%26#39;s still a quiet road; hotrodders who think they%26#39;re qualifying for the Indy, and it%26#39;s a weird mix of driving styles ... very different from driving somewhere where everyone knows the drill.

If you have any issues with night vision, it%26#39;s harder to drive at night here because we don%26#39;t have streetlights outside of town.

So ... go with what you know about your own energy level and tastes in driving.

You asked about stuff to see in Kona. Are you flying out of Hilo?

You should spend your night following the park day in Volcano, for sure, or at least on the east side.

You may also consider staying in Hilo and driving to Volcano for the day, returning to Hilo for dinner. The Shipman B%26amp;B is one that accepts guests from late flights.

Many thanks to all the posts. The information is priceless....

Actually, my plan is to visit Kauai for about 2-3 days after I am done with Big Island.

Is there any difference in flying to Kauai from Kona or Hilo?

Also my plan is

1) LA - BI (mostly interested in the Volcanos), don%26#39;t mind if it is a little on the hectic side.

2) BI to Kauai, spend most of the time relaxing and celebrate my wife%26#39;s b%26#39;day.

3) Kauai to LA, arrgggg! back to the grind....

Is Kauai a good place to relax and spend time on the beach?

Am I better-of going to Maui (not a big fan of crowds though) or any other island like Oahu?

Please advise.... Thanks in advance.

Hi, thanks for the extra info!

OK, so you have two short visits and want to relax, not go hectic. (good plan). To me this means you aren%26#39;t looking to do the impossible and explore these two islands in this time -- rather to get some quality time in a couple locations?

First, re airport, you can easily check the interisland flights yourself.

www.alohaairlines.com

www.hawaiianair.com

iflygo.com

Plug in your dates, compare a flight to LIH out of KOA or ITO for price and stopovers in HNL.

If you like the idea of driving 3 hours around half the island (not counting stops) because it kills you to be on an island and not get to see it, fly out of KOA. If you want simple in and out and a much more low key airport, use ITO.

If you only want to see VNP, honestly I would consider splitting your stay 2-4 so as to really unwind on Kaua%26#39;i. Flying out of Hilo in the afternoon after your second night here. Yes, Kaua%26#39;i should be a lovely place to unwind -- get suggestions in that forum for location in September.

If you can afford it -- I would stay at Shipman for two nights, which is nice and close to aiport, receives late flights, and then should be willing to hold your luggage on Day 3 to allow you to check out waterfalls or whatever may interest you in the Hilo area.

There may be other Hilo B%26amp;B%26#39;s that receive guests after 10 pm, but Shipman is the only one that%26#39;s gone out of their way to post here that they will.

Check the B%26amp;B reviews in the Hilo forum and the Volcano forum.

A last thought -- while Kaua%26#39;i sounds lovely, you might also consider going to Oahu%26#39;s north shore or Kailua or Lanikai for your beach time. Yes, it would be a little busier, but Oahu too has great sandy beaches, beautiful scenery, and you would splend less time flying (unless your mainland flight departs direct from Kaua%26#39;i).

I only mention it because a 3-4 day unwind on Oahu might be about right, whereas it might break your heart to leave Kaua%26#39;i after such a short time to see it (or rather barely see it). Seriously.