The Hawaiian islands are a dream destination for people all over the world. And Americans are incredibly lucky — they don’t need a passport to visit Hawaii. Here’s everything you need to know about entering Hawaii for US citizens, US permanent residents, and international travelers. Plus, find some of our best Hawaii travel tips below.
Do you need a passport to go to Hawaii?
US citizens and permanent residents do not need a passport to go to Hawaii when traveling from the US. Hawaii is a US state, therefore visiting it is considered domestic travel. In order to travel to Hawaii, you’ll need a TSA-approved form of ID, such as a driver’s license or a state-issued identification card.
Passport Needed?
No
Blank pages needed
None
Passport validity
Not required
Visa tourist needed
No
If you’re not a US citizen or permanent resident, you do need a foreign government–issued passport, which counts as a TSA-approved ID.
Is it the same for minors?
Minors who are US citizens or permanent residents do not need a passport to travel to Hawaii. For domestic travel, minors usually do not need to show any ID at all. The adult they are traveling with must show a TSA-compliant ID, though. If the minor is traveling unaccompanied, a guardian will need to help check them in at the airport and show their own ID. Find more information on faa.gov.
What if you’re flying to Hawaii from another country?
Foreign nationals do need to present a passport to visit Hawaii, as they’re entering the United States. One notable exception is Canadians traveling to Hawaii on a cruise — they can show an enhanced driver’s license or enhanced identification card from their province.
If you’re a US citizen or permanent resident traveling to Hawaii from a foreign country, you will need to show your passport to re-enter the United States.
What IDs are accepted for travel to Hawaii?
For Americans, the following forms of identification are accepted by the TSA for domestic travel to Hawaii:
- State-issued Enhanced Driver’s License
- U.S. passport
- U.S. passport card
- DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)
- U.S. Department of Defense ID
- Permanent resident card
Additional accepted forms of ID can be found at tsa.gov. For foreign nationals, passports are required to visit Hawaii.
Can you fly to Hawaii with just a driver’s license?
Yes, you can fly to Hawaii with just a US driver’s license. But starting May 7, 2025, you will need to ensure that your driver’s license is REAL ID compliant in order to fly domestically.
What is a REAL ID?
The REAL ID Act was passed by Congress in 2005 to set federal security standards for state-issued identification. States have revamped their IDs, including driver’s licenses, to comply with the REAL ID Act — these IDs are either marked as “enhanced” or they’ll display a star symbol. If you are not sure if your driver’s license or state ID is REAL ID compliant, contact your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
Keep in mind that a passport is a valid Real ID. If that’s your only Real ID–compliant document, then you will need to bring your passport to visit domestic destinations, including Hawaii, starting on May 7, 2025. You can also use your Global Entry Card.
What should you pack for a trip to Hawaii?
Most visitors will spend time at the beach, so casual resort wear, bathing suits, and reef-friendly sunscreen are always a good idea. You should also pack hiking apparel and footwear if you plan on exploring the islands’ interiors — and a jacket if you’re summiting a volcano. It gets cold up there!
Where is the best place to stay in Hawaii?
Six of Hawaii’s major islands have accommodations, including hotels and resorts: Oahu, Maui, the Island of Hawaii (Big Island), Kauai, Lanai, and Molokai. Each island has its own charms and reasons to visit, from dramatic cliffs and sky-high volcanoes to serene beaches and lush forests. If you can, visit more than one on your trip!
Where else can you travel without your passport?
Fortunately, the United States and its territories have an incredible array of destinations that you can visit without a passport, whether you’re interested in beaches, deserts, cities, or tundra, where you can stay in everything from luxury hotels to boutique inns to all-inclusive resorts.
How did I put this guide together?
For this guide, I referred to my own experiences traveling to Hawaii, as well as researched information from government websites like TSA.gov and DHS.gov, as well as the official tourism website of Hawaii.
The foregoing article was last updated on the 17th of February 2025. It does not contain legal advice and is for informational purposes only. KAYAK does not guarantee, and accepts no legal liability arising from or connected to, the accuracy, reliability, currency or completeness of any of the information contained in this article and/or any of the content linked to within it. Always check the official government website of your departure and arrival destinations prior to travel for up-to-date information.
