Money & travel
Skip the exchange booth at Hilo International Airport. Use an ATM with a no-fee card — the ATM gives you the real mid-market rate, while airport exchange booths charge 10–20% above it. On a $500 exchange, that difference is $50–100 in hidden costs.
The key rule
Airport currency exchange booths typically charge 10–20% above the mid-market rate.
On a $500 exchange, that is $50–100 in hidden fees. The ATM is almost always better — even with a bank fee. And with a no-fee card, the ATM is unambiguously better.
No exchange booths at this airport
None — ITO has no on-site currency exchange counter or kiosk. The airport currently has no scheduled international flights (Hawaiian Airlines serves Honolulu and Kahului; Southwest serves Honolulu and, from August 2026, Las Vegas), so there is no dedicated exchange service in the terminal. This means your in-airport options are limited to ATMs — which is actually a better outcome, since you automatically get the real mid-market exchange rate.
One Bank of Hawaii ATM is located near the restaurant, to the left (as you face it) of the security checkpoint in the main terminal.
The on-site ATM dispenses US dollars only. It is on standard nationwide networks (Visa/Plus, Mastercard/Cirrus, STAR); using a no-foreign-fee card (Schwab, Wise, Revolut) avoids extra charges when withdrawing.
Best cards for ATM use abroad
Recommended for ITO
Since ITO has no currency exchange counter and serves only domestic Hawaii routes, arrive with US dollars already in hand or use the single Bank of Hawaii ATM near the security checkpoint. For an actual currency exchange, the closest option is the Hawaii National Bank branch in downtown Hilo (1205 Kilauea Ave, about 2.2 miles from the airport, weekday hours only, closed Sundays).
Pro Tip
Don't expect any currency-exchange infrastructure at this small airport — ITO handles interisland and domestic Hawaii traffic only. If you're arriving from abroad via a connection at Honolulu (HNL), exchange money or use an ATM there, since HNL has proper international arrivals facilities that ITO does not.
Before you leave
Order foreign currency from your bank before departure — Chase, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo all offer currency ordering at branches and online (3–7 business days). Rates are better than airport booths, and you avoid the airport rush entirely.
At your destination
Withdraw from a local ATM at your destination — you get the real mid-market exchange rate, minus a small network fee. A no-fee card eliminates even that. This is almost always the cheapest option.
In transit
Currency exchange at city banks or post offices in your destination country is typically far better than airport rates in both countries. Most major cities have walk-in currency exchange with rates 5–10% better than airport booths.
Is it better to exchange currency at ITO airport or at my destination?
At your destination. Hilo International Airport primarily serves domestic routes and has no dedicated exchange booths. Withdraw from an ATM at your destination using a no-fee card (Charles Schwab, Wise, or Revolut) for the best possible rate.
Where are the ATMs at ITO airport?
One Bank of Hawaii ATM is located near the restaurant, to the left (as you face it) of the security checkpoint in the main terminal. The on-site ATM dispenses US dollars only. It is on standard nationwide networks (Visa/Plus, Mastercard/Cirrus, STAR); using a no-foreign-fee card (Schwab, Wise, Revolut) avoids extra charges when withdrawing.
Which currency exchange is at ITO airport?
Hilo International Airport does not have dedicated currency exchange booths. It primarily serves domestic routes. For foreign currency, use an ATM with a no-fee card and exchange at the real mid-market rate.
What is the best card to use for foreign currency at ITO?
The Charles Schwab debit card is the top choice — it reimburses all ATM fees worldwide and charges 0% on international transactions, giving you the real mid-market exchange rate. Wise and Revolut travel cards are strong alternatives with similar 0% fee structures. Avoid using a standard bank debit card, which typically charges 1-3% foreign transaction fee plus an ATM surcharge of $3-5.
See also: Getting around ITO airport · Live ITO TSA wait times
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