How Far Is Samoa From Hawaii? (A Traveler’s Guide)

The Pacific Ocean spans 63.80 million square miles, and is home to Hawaii and Samoa, two gorgeous, tropical island groups.

In this article, we will look at the distance between these stated locations, as well as how long it takes to travel between them and which modes of transportation are recommended for the journey.

So, let’s get started!

The Distance Between Hawaii And Samoa

Hawaii is a state in the western United States that is positioned in the central Pacific Ocean, nearly 2,000 miles from the United States mainland.

Hawai’i, Niihau, Maui, Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Lanai, and Kahoolawe are the eight major islands that make up the state of Hawaii.

The Independent State of Samoa, on the other hand, can be found in the South Pacific Ocean, and is made up of two large islands: Savai’i and Upolu.

Unlike Hawaii, Samoa not a state of another nation, but is, instead, a country in its own right.

The distance between the closest points of both Hawaii and Samoa equals to 4,139 kilometers, or 2,572 miles. 

What Is The Time Difference Between Hawaii And Samoa?

Hawaii Standard Time (HST) is exactly 23 hours behind West Samoa Time (WST). 

This is a significant benefit for those travelling between Hawaii and Samoa since, despite the fact that the two regions are just under 24 hours apart (an entire day), their daylight hours are nearly identical.

Daylight Saving Time does not exist in Hawaii or Samoa, meaning that the hours of daylight remain constant throughout the year.

How Long Does It Take To Get To Samoa From Hawaii?

Since Hawaii and Samoa both consist of islands, and are not particularly close to any other form of mainland, it would be impossible to travel by car or bus (unless this vehicle had the ability to drive through water).

In order to travel between these locations, there are two forms of transportation available: flying, and sailing.

Travelling By Plane

Traveling by plane from Hawaii to Samoa will take, at average, 5 hours and 41 minutes. This is based on the 2,572 mile (4,139 kilometers) straight line distance between Hawaii and Samoa. 

Although, depending on wind speeds, the actual time may vary. The estimated time of 5 hours and 41 minutes is based on a 500 mph (equal to 805 km/h or 434 knots) baseline flying speed for a commercial plane.

This estimate also adds 30 minutes to the take-off and landing times.

It’s also worth noting that this is how long a direct trip from Hilo International Airport in Hilo, Hawai’i (Hawaii) to Faleolo International Airport in Apia (Samoa) would take. Alternative journeys may take longer.

While it would only take, roughly, 6 hours to get from Hawaii to Samoa, it is important to remember that the time difference would be 23 hours.

If you left Hawaii at 10am on a Friday, you would be arriving at Samoa at 9am on the Saturday.

Travelling By Boat

It is predicted that sailing from Hawaii to Samoa would take roughly 20 days in total, give or take.

While this is entirely possible for an experienced sailor, it is not the recommended method of travel from Hawaii to Samoa.

Some travelers prefer to fly part of the way and then board a car ferry the rest of the trip. This will take longer than flying directly to Apia, but may be cheaper.

One of these methods includes flying from Honolulu International Airport (Hawaii) to Pago Pago Airport (Samoa), and then boarding a car ferry from there.

It would then take around 16 hours to travel from Pago Pago to Apia. 

Travelling Between Hawaii And Samoa: A Guide

Airports In Hawaii

When flying from Hawaii, there are a handful of airports to choose from. 

Some of the more popular ones include Hilo International Airport (Hilo, Hawai’i), Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (Honolulu, Oahu), Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole (Kailua-Kona, Hawai’i) and Kahului Airport (Kahului, Maui).

Below, we will be discussing flight departures from Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport and Hilo International Airport.

Airports In Samoa

Compared to Hawaii, there are fewer options to choose from when it comes to flying to and from Samoa. In fact, there are only five airports in Samoa.

Faleolo Airport is Samoa’s main entry point, providing direct flights to and from a number of major Pacific destinations. It is located in Apia, Samoa’s capital city.

The Cheapest Route Between Hawaii And Samoa

The least expensive option for travelling between Hawaii and Samoa would cost somewhere between $413 and $1,230.

This would include travelling by bus, plane, and car ferry, and would take around 30 hours to arrive at your final destination.

To get to Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport, you’ll need to use a bus or another mode of transportation. You would next take an 8-9 hour flight to Pago Pago International Airport.

In Pago Pago, you would then board a car ferry to Apia. The car ferry trip takes approximately 16 hours.

The Recommended Route Between Hawaii And Samoa

While you may be more tempted to take the cheaper route, it may be worth looking into options that take less travelling time. After all, travelling for over 30 hours can be exhausting.

As we previously mentioned, you can take a direct flight from Hilo International Airport (Hawai’i) to Faleolo International Airport (Apia).

This will only take just under 6 hours, compared to an almost-9 hour flight from Kailua-Kona to Pago Pago, along with a 16 hour ferry.

These flights will be a lot more expensive than the previous option, as not many airlines fly directly to Apia from Hawaii.

If you can find one of these flights, and you have the money to pay for it, it may be better to consider this option to save travelling time.

Final Thoughts

While it may only take 5 or so hours to fly directly between Hawaii and Samoa, the actual journey you pursue will almost certainly take much longer.

The average travelling time between these two locations is 20+ hours, including travelling by plane and car ferry.

Both destinations are stunning locations, and if you haven’t previously done so, we strongly advise you visit both at some point!

We hope you found this article informative and interesting.