Kona (KOA): the airport calls the bus "very limited", but it is every 30 minutes and free until 2028
Hawaii DOT describes Hele-On at Kona as a very limited service. Hele-On itself lists six routes serving the airport, and route 202 calls every half hour from 06:50 to 20:20. Every Hele-On fare is zero until 31 December 2028. The catch is the baggage rules, not the frequency.
- Hele-On is free for all passengers until 31 December 2028. That is the operator's own published fare.
- Route 202, the Central and North Kona circulator, calls at the airport every 30 minutes from 06:50 to 20:20. Schedule effective 1 February 2026.
- Six Hele-On routes serve KOA: route 2 Blue Line, route 60, route 75, some trips of route 80, route 90 and route 202.
- The bus stop is on the centre island, next to the rideshare pick-up, across from Hawaiian Airlines and the TSA check-in.
- Route 202 is one of only five Hele-On routes that run on county-observed holidays, to a Sunday schedule.
- The baggage rules are the real constraint. Bags must fit under the seat, on your lap or in the undercarriage if the bus has one. Nothing may sit in the aisle or on a seat.
- Five bags maximum, and drivers cannot help you carry anything.
- Banned outright: surfboards, boogie boards, body boards, fishing rods and spears, canoe paddles, flat screen televisions, batteries and strimmers.
- The airport publishes estimated taxi fares as a guide, not a guarantee. Kailua-Kona town $25. Keauhou $35. Kona Hospital $45.
- Waikoloa resorts $50 (Hilton Waikoloa Village, Waikoloa Marriott, Kings Shops, Queens Marketplace). Waikoloa Village $63.
- Mauna Lani, Fairmont Orchid $57. Mauna Kea Beach Hotel and Hapuna Prince $68. Four Seasons Hualalai and Kona Village $25.
- Waimea $100. Kohala $120. Captain Cook and the Manago $58. Ka'u $180. Volcano or Hilo $300.
- Taxis wait kerbside in front of baggage claim areas A and B; speak to the dispatchers rather than flagging a car.
- SpeediShuttle has counters in baggage claim, 1-877-242-5777 or (808) 242-7777 locally.
- The airport is seven miles from Kailua and about 25 miles from Waikoloa.
The operator and the airport describe the same bus differently
- Hawaii DOT's page for KOA says the Hele-On bus "operates a very limited service between the airport and Kailua-Kona town" and sends you to a phone number.
- Hele-On's own airport page lists six routes serving KOA: route 2 Blue Line, route 60, route 75, some trips of route 80, route 90 and route 202.
- And route 202, the Central and North Kona circulator, calls at the airport every 30 minutes from 06:50 until 20:20, on the schedule effective 1 February 2026. That is not a very limited service.
- Every Hele-On fare is free until 31 December 2028. The only money mentioned anywhere on the fares page is the $15 per pedestrian entry fee you pay the National Park if you get off at Hawaii Volcanoes.
- Find the stop on the centre island, next to the rideshare pick-up, opposite Hawaiian Airlines and the TSA check-in.
- Route 202 also runs on county-observed holidays, to a Sunday schedule, and it is one of only five Hele-On routes that do.
Where the bus will actually let you down
Not the timetable. The luggage rules.
- Baggage must fit under the seat, on your lap, or in the undercarriage if the vehicle has one. Anything in the aisle or on a seat is refused.
- Five shopping bags, suitcases or packages is the limit.
- Bus operators cannot assist in carrying packages.
- Surfboards, boogie boards, body boards, fishing poles, rods and spears, canoe oars and paddles, flat screen televisions, batteries and weed eaters are all banned from the bus. If you flew in with a board bag, this is not your transport.
- The county disclaims responsibility for late departures, missed connections and anything brought on board.
The taxi table, which the airport does publish
The rates below are the airport's own estimates. It says twice that they are a guide, are not guaranteed and can change, and tells you to confirm with the dispatcher on arrival.
- Kailua-Kona town, Royal Kona Resort, King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel, Kona Seaside: $25. Kaiminani Drive $20.
- Four Seasons Hualalai and Kona Village Resort: $25. Sheraton Keauhou Bay and Keauhou Beach: $35. Kona Hospital: $45.
- Hilton Waikoloa Village and Waikoloa Marriott: $50. Kings Shops and Queens Marketplace: $50. Waikoloa Village: $63.
- Mauna Lani Bay, Fairmont Orchid and the Shops at Mauna Lani: $57. Mauna Kea Beach Hotel and Hapuna Prince: $68.
- Captain Cook and the Manago Hotel: $58. Waimea: $100. Kohala: $120. Ka'u: $180. Volcano or Hilo: $300.
- Taxis stand kerbside fronting baggage claim areas A and B. See the dispatchers.
- SpeediShuttle sells from counters in baggage claim: 1-877-242-5777, or (808) 242-7777 locally.
Distances
- Seven miles to Kailua, about 25 miles to Waikoloa. The airport says so itself, which is worth knowing before you accept a $300 quote to Hilo.
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