I am hoping someone can help me with this: when flying into Hawaii (big island) from Boston, what is the cheapest way to do it? I thought maybe a layover in San Fran would be cheap but the price almost doubles. Any place where I can stay to break up the flight that would make the total amount paid for all flight segments somewhat reasonable (i.e. $600-800)??? Thanks in advance for any help.

1st. we are not a travel agency, so i'll give you a pointer. You will need to search and read the rules on your own.

2. flights from SJC/SFO/OAK are usually in the 250 range during fare sales
3. Flights between islands are cheap now...sub 100 rt
4. how much is a flight from BOS to SFO/SJC/OAK


Do the math. Probably close to 600-700.

While I am well aware this is not a travel agency, I do appreciate your feedback. sorry, i thought it was clear from my original post that i know flights are 600-700 from boston, i was looking to break up the trip in 2 segments over a weekend and wanted to see if anyone had any ideas of how to do this, visit someplace cool on the way and not break the bank. i thought that is what flyertalk is all about, people sharing their experiences and opinions???

The impresion I got from your orig post was that you were asking us to look up fares for you.

As for your answer, you would have to read the fare rules to see if stopovers are permitted. You can always do a connecting flight 23 hours later to see the city of sf without raising the price, but most of the time when you do a multicity it usually breaks the fare rules thus essentially turning this trip into 2 rt tickets. Read the fare rules and you might be able to find another ticket which allows stopovers.

ahhh, okay, i was not aware of that, that is very helpful, i will have to look into that. thank you!

i was not looking for anyone to look up fares, sorry if it sounded that way, i just know people on the east coast travel to hawaii all the time and wondering what people have found is the best way to do it. i have never been so i am pretty clueless.

Try AA: at one time their fares were allowing stop-overs for about $60 each. I live on the east coast (Baltimore) and was considering stopping over in SFO before continuing to Hawaii for my trip in Sept 2006. I decided not to stop in either direction as to have more days in Hawaii.

Hope this helps and enjoy the Big Island.

Hi blynch12:

Although I am not an expert on this general route, I am somewhat familiar with traveling from the Southwest via SFO to Hawaii (Ohau mostly...never visited the "Big Island").

I am a frequent flyer with United so I usually fly their system. I called them (1k desk) for a quote of lowest round trip (RT) economy fare departing BOS on Nov 2 and returning Nov 11. The routing I was first given by the 1k RA was BOS-Chicago (ORD)-OGG (Maui) -then a connection with Aloha Airlines to your preferred destination. The quoted total price, including taxes, fuel, etc., was just over $1000 ("all-in"). I then asked for RT routing through SFO with a stop for about 48 hrs on the return leg of the trip in SFO and the out-bound routing became BOS-SFO-HNL(Honolulu)-followed by inter-island hop to the big island. (The recommended return route was the same itinerary.) The fare went up about $50 for this now single stopover itinerary. Note that if you make two stopovers of more than 24 hrs during your entire trip the fare becomes outrageous.

Stated another way, you can usually make a stay of no more than 23 hrs. on most fare classes along your routing multiple times but only one stopover of more than 24 hrs. for no additional charge on most classes of inexpensive tickets but rules may vary from airline to airline. Of course, the schedules must be such that flights and seats are available for any stop/stopover.

I use the one-stop allowed rule often in SFO as I like the city and I usually transit it several times a year on international flights to the Far East but also Hawaii as I just did this past week (I stopped on the return portion of the trip). I have never used the "23 hr." delay strategy as it is not so important to me.

I recommend you seek the advise of folks on this board, as you are doing, and also speak with a travel agent or airline customer service person regarding your proposed trip. If you do not have a favorite airline, I would go to a web site, eg. expedia or orbitz or etc. and compare losest fares and then call the airline and ask reservations about restrictions on stopovers, delays, itineraries, costs, etc.

If you need more assistance send me a PM and I will try to help.

Good luck.

Thank you very much, this is very helpful. When I get more in depth with my search I may take you up on that offer to help. Thanks again.

I hope you are successful in making air arrangements and know that you will enjoy your visit.

I forgot to advise you yesterday that the web site orbitz.com had BOS to Hilo RT for $588. I do not recall if that included all taxes. Recommend you check and confirm. If you remain interested in that "deal", I suggest you contact Orbitz and ask about stop-over options on their tickets. Remember that such organizations often get inexpensive but very restrictive tickets from the airlines for resale. I also noted that Orbitz was offering almost the same flights ( all via Phoenix not SFO hence your stopover would be in the Phoeniz area) on America West (as was most of the flights on the $588 deal for around $800--- ----go figure.)