Getting Here: How to Get to the Marshall Islands?

International flights to the Marshall Islands are limited but well-established, mainly connecting through Hawai'i, Guam, Kiribati, Nauru and other central Pacific hubs. Most travellers arrive in Majuro, the capital atoll, with long-haul connections typically made via Honolulu, Guam, Brisbane, Fiji or other regional gateways.

For travellers coming from North America, United Airlines’ famous "Island Hopper" service is the main route, linking Honolulu and Guam with stops in the Marshall Islands' Majuro and Kwajalein and the Federated States of Micronesia.

For travellers coming from Brisbane in Australia, Nadi in Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru or nearby Pacific destinations, Nauru Airlines provides regional connections to Majuro via Nauru and Tarawa and Kirimati (Christmas Island) in Kiribati, Pohnpei in the Federated States of Micronesia, and Palau in its central Pacific network.

As flight schedules in this part of the Pacific can change, always check directly with the airline before booking. Learn more about flights to the Marshall Islands in Which Airlines Fly Directly to the Marshall Islands?

Airlines, Routes and Duration of Flights to the Marshall Islands

The following airlines fly to the Marshall Islands on the following routes:

• United Airlines - Honolulu to Majuro - 4 hrs 30 mins
• United Airlines - Majuro to Kwajalein - 45 mins
• United Airlines - Guam to Majuro - via Chuuk, Pohnpei, Kosrae and Kwajalein on the Island Hopper route - 8 hours
• Nauru Airlines - Tarawa to Majuro - 1 hr 15 mins
• Nauru Airlines - Pohnpei to Majuro - 2 hrs 15 mins
• Nauru Airlines - Brisbane to Majuro - via Nauru and Tarawa, with connections taking around 11 hrs 30 mins
• Nauru Airlines - Nadi to Majuro - via Nauru and Tarawa, with connections taking around 7 hrs 30 mins
• Nauru Airlines - Suva to Majuro - via Nauru and Tarawa, with connections taking around 6 hrs 5 mins

Flight times are also listed in What Are the Flight Times to the Marshall Islands?

The International Airport in the Marshall Islands

The main international airport in the Marshall Islands is Amata Kabua International Airport (MAJ), also known as Marshall Islands International Airport, located on Majuro Atoll. This is the country’s main port of entry for international visitors and where most travellers first arrive in the Marshall Islands.

Those landing from an international flight at Amata Kabua International Airport need to go through the arrivals process, including immigration, customs and biosecurity checks. Learn more about the formalities in our guide, Arriving in the Marshall Islands: Airport Customs, Biosecurity & the Arrival Process.

Airport facilities are pretty limited, but you’ll find food options and small retail outlets. It’s best to have your airport transfer or car rental arranged in advance, especially if arriving late or staying outside the main hotel areas. Note that there are no ATMs or currency exchange.

From Majuro, travellers can make connections to some of the outer atolls by domestic flight with Air Marshall Islands. More information can be found in Domestic Flights in the Marshall Islands: Your Guide to Interisland Flights.

The Marshall Islands are not a regular stop on most South Pacific cruise itineraries, but a handful of expedition cruises, grand voyages and world cruises do make the journey to this remote Micronesian nation. Most cruise visits focus on Majuro, the capital atoll, while specialist expedition itineraries may also reach outer atolls such as Mili and Jaluit.

Cruises to the Marshall Islands usually form part of longer Pacific crossings rather than short island-hopping cruises. Routes may depart from places like Fiji, the United States or other Pacific hubs, with some itineraries continuing on to Micronesia, Guam, Japan, Palau or Taiwan.

Cruises to the Marshall Islands

The following cruise companies have been found to offer, list or have confirmed links with cruises to the Marshall Islands:

• Hapag-Lloyd Cruises
• Phoenix Reisen
• Holland America Line
• Seabourn

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises is one of the strongest options for expedition-style travel, with a 26-day Micronesia voyage visiting several Marshall Islands atolls. Phoenix Reisen also has a confirmed Majuro call on a longer Pacific cruise aboard MS Amadea.

Holland America Line and Seabourn visit Majuro less frequently, so travellers should check current sailing dates carefully before booking.

Find out more about these cruises and where they depart in The Best Cruises that Go to the Marshall Islands.

Ports of Call in the Marshall Islands

The main cruise port of call in the Marshall Islands is Majuro, the country’s capital and main transport hub. Cruise ships visiting Majuro call at the Port of Majuro, with port operations centred around the Delap Dock area on the lagoon side of the atoll.

Majuro is the easiest place for cruise passengers to experience the Marshall Islands in a short amount of time. Depending on the itinerary and local arrangements, visitors can explore the Alele Museum, browse handicraft shops and local markets, visit Japanese Peace Park, take a lagoon trip to Eneko or Enemanit, or travel towards Laura for beaches and a glimpse of life at the western end of the atoll.

Expedition cruises may also include outer atolls such as Mili and Jaluit, where visits are more dependent on weather, sea conditions, permissions and expedition logistics. These stops are typically much more remote than Majuro and may involve small-boat landings rather than a standard cruise dock.

Tours and taxis tend to be available when cruise ships call in Majuro, but it’s best to arrange shore activities in advance where possible.

Learn more about planning your visit from a cruise ship with The Complete Guide to the Ports of Call in the Marshall Islands.

Finally, another way you can get to the Marshall Islands is on a sailing yacht. With 29 coral atolls spread across the central Pacific, the country offers vast lagoons, remote anchorages and plenty of reasons for sailors to lean a little closer to the chart. See How Long Does It Take to Sail to the Marshall Islands? for help planning your passage.

Marshall Islands Sailing Formalities

All yachts arriving from overseas must complete international clearance at Majuro or Ebeye on Kwajalein Atoll before sailing elsewhere in the Marshall Islands.

Send your arrival details well in advance, ideally 72 hours before arrival and again 48 hours before your ETA. Clearance is best arranged during weekday business hours, generally from 8 am to 5 pm Monday to Friday, with crews remaining onboard under the quarantine flag until all departments have cleared the yacht.

Clearing into the country does not automatically give you permission to visit every outer atoll. Each atoll requires a separate Entry/Cruising Permit, which can take one to four weeks to process, while local fees and access conditions may also apply.

For more details on clearance, permits, supplies and sailing between the atolls, see our Sailing Guide to the Marshall Islands: Tips for Yachting in the Marshall Islands.

Now that you know about the various ways to reach the Marshall Islands, here are the answers to the internet’s frequently asked questions about getting to this remote Pacific paradise!

How Do I Get to the Marshall Islands from New Zealand?

To get to the Marshall Islands from New Zealand, you’ll need to take connecting flights, as there are no direct routes. The most practical options usually involve flying from Auckland to a larger Pacific or Australian hub, such as Brisbane, Nadi or Honolulu, then connecting onward to Majuro.

Nauru Airlines provides regional links to Majuro through its central Pacific network, while United Airlines connects Majuro with Honolulu, Guam and other Micronesian islands on its Island Hopper route. For more information, check out Which Airlines Fly Directly to the Marshall Islands?

What is the Best Way to Get to the Marshall Islands?

The best way to get to the Marshall Islands depends on where you’re travelling from. For travellers coming from North America, the most common route is via Honolulu with United Airlines. For travellers coming from Australia, New Zealand, Fiji or other Pacific destinations, Nauru Airlines’ regional network is often the most practical option.

Can You Fly Direct to the Marshall Islands?

Yes, you can fly direct to the Marshall Islands from a small number of international destinations, but routes are limited. United Airlines operates services to Majuro as part of its Micronesia network, including the famous Island Hopper route between Honolulu and Guam.

Nauru Airlines also operates direct regional flights to Majuro from selected Pacific destinations, including Tarawa and Pohnpei, with connections onward to places like Brisbane, Nauru, Nadi and other regional hubs.

Which Airlines Fly to the Marshall Islands?

The main international airlines serving the Marshall Islands are United Airlines and Nauru Airlines. United Airlines operates flights to Majuro and Kwajalein, including its Island Hopper service across Micronesia. Nauru Airlines connects Majuro with other central Pacific destinations through its regional flight network.

For travel within the Marshall Islands, Air Marshall Islands operates domestic services between Majuro and some outer atolls. Learn more in Domestic Flights in the Marshall Islands: Your Guide to Interisland Flights.