Other Destinations
Kauai Island Lihue (LIH) to Las Vegas (Any) in October from $395
From $395
Kauai Island Lihue (LIH) to Fresno (FAT) in October from $472
From $472
Kauai Island Lihue (LIH) to San Diego (SAN) in December from $278
From $278
Kauai Island Lihue (LIH) to Kingston (KIN) in December from $1,233
From $1,233
Kauai Island Lihue (LIH) to Tokyo (HND) in February from $780
From $780
Kauai Island Lihue (LIH) to Dallas (DAL) in April from $244
From $244
Flights from Other Cities
New York (JFK) to Albuquerque (ABQ) in October from $135
From $135
Philadelphia (PHL) to Albuquerque (ABQ) in October from $209
From $209
Boston (BOS) to Albuquerque (ABQ) in October from $247
From $247
El Paso (ELP) to Albuquerque (ABQ) in October from $391
From $391
Pittsburgh (PIT) to Albuquerque (ABQ) in October from $487
From $487
Philadelphia (Any) to Albuquerque (ABQ) in October from $552
From $552
✈️ Flight Guide: Kauai Island Lihue (LIH) → Albuquerque (ABQ)
Complete travel information for your October journey
October is a shoulder season on Kauai with fewer crowds and occasional travel deals at Lihue Airport (LIH). For travelers heading to Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ), October means cooler arrival temperatures in New Mexico and the possibility of coinciding with the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta (first week of October). Expect itineraries that connect through Honolulu (Daniel K. Inouye International Airport), Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX), Los Angeles (LAX) or San Francisco (SFO).
Departing from Kauai Island Lihue (LIH) FAQs
No, there are typically no nonstop flights between Lihue Airport (LIH) and Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ) in October. Most itineraries require one or two connections, commonly routing through Honolulu (Honolulu International Airport), Phoenix (PHX), Los Angeles (LAX) or San Francisco (SFO). Expect total travel time, including layovers, to be significantly longer than a direct mainland hop.
To find budget-friendly October fares from Lihue Airport (LIH) to Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ), start price-alerts, compare one-stop itineraries via PHX/LAX/SFO or HNL, and book 6–10 weeks in advance for shoulder-season savings. Flying midweek, being flexible with layovers, and checking both Hawaiian Airlines and mainland carriers can reveal discounted routings.
Lihue Airport (LIH) offers car rentals, shuttles, and taxi services year-round with typical October hours for counters and rental desks; some seasonal vendors may have reduced schedules. Nearby destinations commonly accessed include Princeville, Poipu, Hanalei, and the island hubs of Honolulu and Maui for onward travel — plan transfers in advance during popular October weekends.
October is inside the Eastern Pacific hurricane season, but Kauai is less frequently impacted than other islands; still, travelers should monitor forecasts and airline notices. Purchase flexible tickets or travel insurance, and check with your carrier about rebooking policies if tropical activity is forecast near October travel dates.
In October, Lihue Airport (LIH) often experiences moderate passenger volumes since it is a shoulder travel month; expect 30–60 minute peak security screening waits for early morning or late-afternoon flights. Arrive 90 minutes before domestic departures and allow extra time if traveling with checked bags or during special events on the island.
Yes, multi-stop itineraries combining Lihue Airport (LIH) with Honolulu (Daniel K. Inouye International Airport) or Kahului, Maui (OGG) are common in October and can offer more flight options to reach Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ). Look for open-jaw or multi-city tickets and check connection times carefully to allow inter-island transfers and ground transport.
October brings cool desert weather to Albuquerque and high traveler demand during the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta (usually the first full week of October). Travelers arriving from Lihue Airport (LIH) should plan for increased airport activity, book transfers in advance, and allow time to acclimate to altitude differences.
Arriving at Albuquerque (ABQ) FAQs
Arrivals at Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ) in October typically encounter cool, dry weather with crisp mornings and mild afternoons. If your October travel aligns with the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta (early October), expect higher passenger volumes, increased ground transportation demand, and possible higher fares — book hotels and shuttles early.
From Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ), travelers can rent a car, take shuttle services, or use regional buses to reach Santa Fe (about 1-hour drive) or Taos (2–3 hours drive). October is ideal for scenic drives with fall colors in northern New Mexico, so renting a car at ABQ is a popular and practical choice.
Yes, Albuquerque sits at roughly 5,300 feet above sea level, so arriving travelers from sea-level Lihue Airport (LIH) should be aware of potential mild altitude effects such as shortness of breath or dehydration. Stay hydrated, limit strenuous activity on arrival day, and give your body time to acclimate, especially during outdoor Balloon Fiesta activities in October.
Yes, airfare and hotel rates often spike during major October events like the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. If you're traveling from Lihue Airport (LIH), book as early as possible and consider midweek or alternate dates to reduce costs. Use flexible-date searches and fare alerts to spot price dips.
Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ) offers car rentals, ride-hailing, taxis, and shuttle services year-round, with extra capacity during October event weeks. The terminal has food outlets and baggage services; however, during peak Balloon Fiesta dates, counters may have longer lines so plan extra time for rental returns and pickups.
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Events & Festivals — How October Events Affect LIH to ABQ Travel
The largest October event affecting the LIH → ABQ route is the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, usually held during the first full week of October. During Fiesta week, expect crowded flights, higher fares, and increased demand for hotels and ground transport at Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ). On Kauai, October sees smaller cultural events and fewer crowds, making it a good time to travel — but plan early if your destination includes Albuquerque festivities.
Best Time to Fly — LIH to ABQ (October Considerations)
For October travel from Lihue Airport (LIH) to Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ), the best time to fly is early-to-mid October outside Balloon Fiesta dates for lower fares and milder crowds. Midweek departures (Tuesday–Thursday) can save money compared with weekend travel, and booking windows of 4–10 weeks out often capture competitive prices. If attending the Balloon Fiesta, fly earlier in the week before the event starts and reserve lodging and airport transfers well in advance.
Direct vs Connecting Flights — LIH (Lihue Airport) to ABQ (Albuquerque International Sunport)
There are no direct LIH → ABQ flights, so travelers must choose connecting routings. One-stop itineraries via Honolulu (HNL) plus a mainland hub provide simpler connections and lower risk when booked on a single ticket; multi-stop itineraries may be cheaper but carry more risk for missed connections and separate-ticket complications. For October travel, prefer same-ticket routings to ensure protected connections, particularly if weather or event-related delays are possible.
Airline Comparison — Best Carriers for LIH to ABQ Routes in October
Hawaiian Airlines is the primary carrier serving Lihue Airport (LIH) to inter-island and mainland gateways, while American, Delta, United, and Alaska handle the mainland legs that connect to Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ). For October travel, select itineraries that keep inter-island and mainland segments on the same carrier alliance for easier rebooking if disruptions occur. Compare total travel time, layover duration, baggage policies, and change fees — these factors often matter more than small fare differences on multi-leg Hawaii-to-mainland trips.
Seasonal Travel Tips — October Travel from LIH to ABQ
Pack layers for October travel from Lihue Airport (LIH) to Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ): lightweight tropical clothes for Kauai and warm layers for the cooler desert mornings in New Mexico. Stay hydrated during and after the flight to mitigate altitude effects upon arrival in Albuquerque. Allow ample connection time for inter-island to mainland transfers, carry essential medications in carry-on luggage, and register for airline alerts to receive real-time schedule updates.
Flight Time & Schedules — Lihue Airport (LIH) to Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ)
There are typically no nonstop LIH → ABQ flights, so total travel time in October depends on connections. A common pattern is LIH to Honolulu (HNL) ~30–45 minutes, HNL to a West Coast hub (LAX, SFO) ~5–6 hours, then hub to ABQ ~1.5–2.5 hours; including layovers typical door-to-door times range 8.5–12+ hours. Scheduling tip: allow at least 2–3 hours when transferring from inter-island flights to mainland segments to account for baggage transfer and security. Check airlines' published schedules and align inter-island and mainland segments on the same ticket whenever possible to reduce risk from missed connections.
Cheap Flights — Lihue Airport (LIH) to Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ) in October
To get cheap flights from Lihue Airport (LIH) to Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ) in October, be flexible with travel dates and consider midweek departures. Search one-stop itineraries via Honolulu (HNL) and then mainland hubs like Phoenix (PHX), Los Angeles (LAX), or San Francisco (SFO) — sometimes a slightly longer layover yields significant savings. Use fare alerts, check nearby airports, and look for multi-city routing options (e.g., LIH–HNL–LAX–ABQ) to uncover lower fares. Consider booking separate legs only if you allow generous connection time and are comfortable collecting checked luggage between carriers. If your trip coincides with Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, book early to avoid inflated rates.
Tips
- Set fare alerts 6–12 weeks ahead for October travel and monitor price drops.
- Use flexible-date calendars to compare weekday vs weekend prices; Tuesdays and Wednesdays often yield cheaper fares.
- Search multi-city and one-way combinations to mix and match carriers for the best price.
- Consider flying into nearby major hubs (e.g., LAX, PHX) and booking a separate low-cost connection to ABQ if savings exceed the risk of separate-ticket connections.