If your traveling dreams consist of wading through clear blue waters and exploring the tropical scenery of Oahu with your furry friend, or walking across the beach at sunset in Maui while the water grazes your feet and paws, you’ve come to the right place.
You may have noticed while looking to book your trip to the big island that the beautiful state of Hawaii has travel rules that differ from the rest of the U.S.. They also specifically have different pet travel rules because they are the only rabies-free state and they’d like to keep it that way.
In order to save you some of the time and stress of planning your pet’s travel arrangements, we’ve put together a simple guide with FAQs that come up when preparing to travel to Hawaii with your furry friend.
What kind of fees should I expect when transporting my pet to Hawaii?
One of the most important things to be aware of is that all the following documentation requires additional fees. Transporting fees vary depending on the breed and size of your pet, the airport you fly into, the time of arrival, and more.
For example, flying into Honolulu International Airport with an eligible pet for direct release, you can expect a $185 fee. If a longer quarantine period is required for your pet, the fee increases to $244. Flying into neighboring airports will also add a Neighbor Island Inspection fee of $165.
It’s nearly impossible to nail down all of the various fees and paperwork, and that is just one of the reasons we highly recommend you travel with pet transportation experts like the Airpets International team. If you are looking for a more accurate price range, request your estimate from Airpets today!
When should I submit my pets documentation?
Make sure to submit all documentation and paperwork at least 10 days prior to your arrival. If you enter through the neighboring airports, you will need to submit all documentation 30 days prior. Remember to read all the fine print as traveling to Hawaii with your pet is complicated and they may be held in quarantine for up to 120 days at your expense if requirements are not met or paperwork is not submitted correctly.
What animals/breeds are not allowed into Hawaii?
Note that non-domestic dogs and cat hybrids such as wolf-crosses, Bengal, Dingo, and more are prohibited from entering Hawaii. These alongside snakes, snapping turtles, bees, and bearded dragons are also prohibited. We recommend downloading the Department of Agriculture’s full list of approved animals to double check that yours is listed.
What time should I plan on arriving in Hawaii when traveling with my pet?
Air pet travel through the Honolulu International Airport can only be done between the hours of 8 AM and 9 PM. You should try to arrive before 3:30 PM because any pets not processed and cleared before 4:30 PM are required to stay overnight.
You should take into consideration that COVID-19 mitigation procedures have also increased the time for pet releases.
What should I expect at the airport upon arrival?
Airport Security does not permit pets to be let out of their crate for air travel on airport property. Pets must be picked up and loaded into a vehicle or onto a baggage cart in their transport crate. Therefore, vehicles must be large enough to accommodate the intact crate with the pet inside.
Airpets International Can Help You Get to Hawaii
In order to safely travel to Hawaii, pet owners must make sure to meet Hawaii’s extensive requirements and ultimately find themselves having to prepare months in advance in order for animal travel to be possible.
Traveling with your pet, especially to the island of Hawaii, can be a lengthy and complicated process to do on your own. If you are still unsure of where to start, we have Pet Travel Specialists with over 30 years of experience that can assist you with all rules, regulations, and COVID protocols. Airpets also works with every major airline to facilitate and ensure the safety of you and your furry friends.
Contact us today learn more or to start planning your Hawaii trip!
