Lihue Airport (LIH)

Arrivals Departures Airlines

Welcome to our Airport Hacks & Reviews Guide for Lihue International Airport (LIH). Here, you’ll find essential information to plan your trip efficiently and make the most of your airport experience.

Lihue Airport (LIH) is the main gateway to the island of Kauai, Hawaii. Located just 2 miles (3.2 km) east of Lihue’s city center, this airport serves as a hub for domestic and international flights. With IATA code LIH and ICAO code PHLI, Lihue Airport sits at an elevation of 152 feet (46 meters) above sea level.

Major airlines operating at LIH include Hawaiian Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines, offering direct connections to major U.S. mainland cities and inter-island flights.

For inter-island flights, it’s recommended to arrive 1 hour and 30 minutes before departure, while for Los Angeles flights, 2 hours and 30 minutes is suggested. Check-in closes 30 minutes before inter-island flights and 45 minutes before Los Angeles flights.

Lihue Airport plays a crucial role in facilitating access for visitors eager to enjoy Kauai’s natural beauty, significantly supporting the island’s tourism industry and local economy.

Lihue Airport serves the island of Kauai in Hawaii.
Lihue Airport consists of a single terminal.
Lihue Airport is served for several airlines even it isn’t the hub of any carrier.
Lihue is the largest and the main city of the Kauai County in Kauai island.

Kauai Lihue Airport handled 3,67 million passengers in 2024 and 122,099 aircrafts operations. It serves as a critical gateway for domestic, inter-island, and overseas flights, connecting Kauai to major cities in North America and providing essential facilities for air cargo, heliport operations, and general aviation

The airport is the primary gateway to Kauai for visitors (especially tourists), and has several rental car facilities. This makes renting a car at Lihue Airport an essential option for exploring Kauai’s scenic attractions, as public transportation is limited and taxis can be expensive for long trips

Terminal +info

Lihue Airport (LIH) features a single terminal with a unique open-air design. The terminal is split into two levels and houses 10 gates.

LIH offers a variety of food and beverage options, including local cuisine and familiar chains. For shopping, the airport provides stores where travelers can purchase souvenirs, island-inspired clothing, and travel essentials. All gate areas are air-conditioned for passenger comfort.

Reviews +info

On this website, you will find valuable tips and reviews about Lihue Airport, designed to help you navigate your travel experience smoothly. These reviews can help you understand what to expect in terms of service quality, cleanliness, and overall passenger experience.

-Our Review Lihue Airport

-Pros and Cons of LIH Airport

-Mini-Guide of the Airport (2’ Guide)

-Other reviews

-Some Stats

Transport +info

The following means of transport are available at Lihue Airport to get to the city center:

Bus: The Kauai Bus transfers to downtown Lihue in an easy and proper way within 30 minutes.

Taxi: Transfer to Lihue city centre within 10 minutes by taxi.

Car rental: Rent a car at Lihue Airport. You can also book your car online through our search engine!
See more information

Contact

Address: Lihu’e Airport (Kaua’i), 3901, Mokulele Loop, Lihu’e, Kaua’i island, Hawai’i 96766, USA

Phone: +1 808 274 3800

About Kauai

Lihue is the largest and the main city of Kauai County in Kauai island (Hawaii). The island of Kauai is the north-western most and the eldest of Hawaii islands. It is known for locals and tourists as the Garden Island due to its green and tropical environment thanks to its humid climate.

The main attractions of Kauai island are the Waimea Canyon and Koke’e State Park. Waimea Canyon has been called more than a thousand times as the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific” due to its similarities with the Grand Canyon in Arizona; regarding Koke’e State Park, it is located in the north-western part of the island and features for its native wildlife, vegetation and cliffs. Other worth to see spots in Kauai are Na Pali Coast State Park, Poipu Beach Park, Wailua Falls, Kalalau Beach, Na ’Aina Kai Botanical Gardens, among other sites.