We’re sharing the full scoop on the pre-travel testing to come to the islands and our tips on how to travel with peace of mind.

The time is finally here! Beginning October 15, Hawaiʻi will launch a pre-travel testing option for travelers coming from the mainland to avoid a 14-day quarantine. Although the process may seem a little complicated, we’ve provided a step-by-step guide to safely visiting Hawaiʻi (minus the Big Island, soon to come!).

UPDATE 2/24/21: The Honolulu is officially in Tier 3 of its reopening plan. Up to 10 individuals are allowed for indoor and outdoor gatherings. Read the Honolulu Mayorʻs Proclamation for more details.

Here are the steps you need to take in order to travel to Hawaiʻi without a 14-day quarantine:

Step 1: Schedule your COVID-19 test through approved providers

In order to be admitted into the state without a mandatory quarantine, travelers must provide a negative COVID-19 result from a test** taken no earlier than 72 hours before their flight departure time. If the traveler happens to take the test within the 72-hour period but does not receive results by the departure time, the traveler will be required to quarantine for two weeks, or their entire duration of their trip.

The state has partnered with the following rapid COVID-19 testing options:

CVS Health – Free with insurance – Beginning October 10, travelers may schedule an appointment up to two days in the future at select CVS Pharmacy drive-thru locations. Pre-registration is required. Free same-day result testing is provided at limited locations (with insurance). Free testing with insurance is provided at 2,200 locations in the U.S.

Walgreens – Free – Testing is available at no cost to eligible individuals who meet CDC criteria. All drive-thru testing locations operate outdoors and patients do not leave their vehicles. Appointment required.

Kaiser Permanente – Free for Kaiser members – Kaiser Permanente members may schedule a test online, or contact the appointment call center or nurse advice line in their home region for scheduling instructions. Kaiser Permanente members returning home to Hawaiʻi may call the Away-from-Home Travel Line at (951) 268-3900 for scheduling instructions.

Quest Diagnostics – $119+ – Individuals may order and schedule the company’s COVID-19 Active Infection Test online and select from more than 500 Walmart drive-thru pharmacy locations for a nasal swab test.

Vault Health – Test cost can be reimbursed by your insurance company – At-home tests with real-time audio-visual supervision are available with Vault Health, the first FDA-authorized saliva test. Tests are mailed with accurate results in 72 hours or less.

Location-specific options:

Seattle: Discovery Health MD – Beginning October 12, individuals traveling to Hawaiʻi may schedule testing online with same and next day results at designated testing sites. A limited number of walk-ups can be accommodated.

San Francisco/Bay Area: CityHealth Urgent Care – Free with insurance – CityHealth Urgent Care and its team of expert clinical staff and infectious disease physician consultants offer testing utilizing state-of-the-art Abbott Lab instrumentation for results in 15 minutes.

Limited California cities: Color – $80 – Color supports the nation’s first COVID-19 testing program for United Airlines passengers.

San Francisco: United Airlines is launching an at-airport testing program to run from SFO to HNL through GoHealth for $250.

Portland: AFC Urgent Care – $200 – COVID-19 tests are available at clinics on the AFC Urgent Care website. Schedule in advance to guarantee appointment availability. A printed version of results is provided prior to leaving the clinic.

Seattle + most major cities: Carbon Health through Alaska Airlines – $135 but accepts HSA and FSA cards– Carbon Health offers COVID-19 tests at dedicated testing sites with results delivered within two hours. Alaska Airlines has partnered with Carbon Health in Seattle and offers COVID-19 tests through their mobile-testing clinics.

Los Angeles + San Francisco: Worksite Labs through Hawaiian Airlines – $90 for 36-hour results/$150 for day-of-travel results – Hawaiian Airlines will be providing a drive-through COVID-19 testing option both in the Bay area and in L.A.

UPDATE 10/20/2020: The State of Hawaiʻi will accept test results ONLY from TRUSTED TESTING AND TRAVEL PARTNERS. Here is the full list.

UPDATE 11/20/2020: Travelers to Hawai‘i who do not have a negative COVID-19 test result from an approved partner before their departure flight will not be allowed to bypass the 14-day quarantine. If you don’t have your negative test result before your departure flight, you will be required to quarantine for 14 days, or the duration of your stay. The article has been edited to reflect these changes.

Step 2: Take the test and get your results!

After you take your test, you will need to quarantine at home until your flight for test accuracy.

Step 3: Create a Safe Travels account

24 hours prior to your flight, you will be able to create an account corresponding to your flight with Safe Travels. This is where you will be uploading your negative test results and filling out a short health questionnaire. You will be required to share a QR code registered to your Safe Travels account when you arrive to the islands.

Step 4: Stay safe, follow the state guidelines, and enjoy the islands!

Socially distance, wear a mask when you’re outside, and enjoy! We are so excited to finally welcome friends and family back to the islands.

How to Fly with Peace of Mind

While traveling has undoubtedly changed over the past year, there are a few simple ways to make sure that you’re safe and sound throughout the travel process. From keeping sanitized to ensuring that you’re comfy during the flight, here are a few of our tried-and-true tips on how to fly safely:

Pack those sani-wipes

We say, the stronger the better. Invest in some medical-grade sanitizing wipes that you can pre-package for your entire trip. We’re talking for your luggage after TSA, your seat at the gate, the seat/wall/tray table on the plane, and your luggage after you get to your destination. The sanitizing spray is also convenient for the in-between disinfecting needs.

If you can, travel during an off-peak day

If you are traveling during the week, you will likely be in the airport during a less-trafficked time

Masks on!

After this year, we all know that all masks are not created equal. Opt for a mask that is not only protective but also comfortable and breathable. If you have a long or red-eye flight, you’re going to be thankful that you invested in a mask that you didn’t mind wearing for a while.

Hands off!

This may be a given, but being cautious about not touching your eyes or mouth as well as high trafficked touch-spots like elevator buttons, kiosks, and counters is SO important when traveling. Enter, your sani-wipes!

If you have any questions, learn more about the pre-travel requirements at the state of Hawaiʻi travel website.

**The test must be processed by laboratories that are licensed or certified by Clinical Laboratories Improvement Amendments (CLIA) of specimens for nucleic acid amplification testing approved or authorized by the United States Food and Drug Administration, pursuant to an Emergency Use Authorization or other authorization for COVID-19 testing.