Getting Around Oahu on Your First Trip to Hawaii

The big picture

Honolulu is the main city on Oahu. On a first trip, most travelers stay in Waikiki, use the bus and their feet for places close to town, and use a rental car for far-off spots like the east coast and the North Shore.

Waikiki has hotels, restaurants and shops along the beach, so you can manage without a car there. The key is choosing transport day by day rather than renting a car for the whole stay. This article covers getting around only; entry prep, sight reservations and ocean safety are in our first-trip article below.

• First Trip to Hawaii (Honolulu): Prep, Reservations and Ocean Safety →

Airport (HNL) to Waikiki: three options

You arrive at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL). To reach Waikiki you can take a taxi or ride-hailing, a shared airport shuttle, or the city bus. Choose by luggage, group size and arrival time.

Check the luggage rule before taking the bus: each rider may bring one medium suitcase plus one small bag that fit on your lap or under the seat. With a large suitcase, a taxi, ride-hailing or the shuttle is less stressful.

• Taxi or ride-hailing: the easiest option. About 25-40 minutes to Waikiki depending on traffic; ride-hailing uses the airport's designated pickup areas. The fare varies by traffic and app (check official)
• Shared airport shuttle: drops off at Waikiki hotels, about 40-60 minutes, and cheaper than a taxi if you travel alone. Fares vary by operator (check official)
• City bus: the cheapest option, about 1 hour to Waikiki for about US$3. You can also take Skyline rail from the airport station and transfer to a bus

• Incheon → Honolulu flights →

The bus for town, Skyline for the airport and Pearl Harbor area

The city bus covers most of the island, including Waikiki, Ala Moana and downtown. Ala Moana is right next to Waikiki and a short bus ride away. With a HOLO card, a daily fare cap keeps costs down even if you ride several times a day.

The same HOLO card works on Skyline rail, which links the airport and the Pearl Harbor area. A HOLO card is required for Skyline, and Skyline does not reach Waikiki, so you transfer to a bus. Our guide does not list the daily cap amount, where to buy or top up the card, or timetables, so check the official source.

• Honolulu (Hawaii) travel guide →

Ride-hailing, taxis and walking

Ride-hailing and taxis are handy for evenings and short trips. Apps show the fare upfront, so there is no haggling. Tipping is normal in taxis, so keep that in mind on top of the fare.

Waikiki is very walkable, and bike-share stations make it easy to ride along the beach. Beach walks and dinner nearby can usually be done on foot.

Rental cars: only when you need one

A rental car is best for far-off spots like the North Shore and the east coast. But Waikiki hotel parking is expensive, and many hotels add resort fees and parking on top of the room rate. Check the total when booking, and consider renting only for the days you need.

Car break-ins happen at scenic parking lots, so do not leave bags or valuables visible. Our guide does not cover driver's licence requirements, such as whether you need an international driving permit, so check the official source before you drive.

• Parking: Waikiki hotel parking is expensive; check whether it is in the hotel total
• Security: keep bags and valuables out of sight at scenic lots
• Licence and driving requirements: check the official source
• Budget feel: in our guide's per-day budgets, a rental car sits in the high tier (about US$700+ per day) and the bus in the low tier (about US$150 per day)

Which transport for which day

For a 5-6 day first trip, here is how transport splits by day. Sight reservations and closing days can change, so check each official source before you go.

• Arrival day in Waikiki: taxi, ride-hailing, shuttle or bus from the airport, then walk
• Diamond Head and Ala Moana: Ala Moana is a short bus ride; Diamond Head needs an advance reservation for non-residents (state park official site). Check the official source for how to get there
• Pearl Harbor National Memorial and downtown: Skyline links the Pearl Harbor area and buses serve downtown. Bags are restricted at the memorial, so leave them at your hotel. Iolani Palace tours run Tuesday to Saturday
• East side (Hanauma Bay, Makapuu Lighthouse, Kailua Beach): easiest by rental car. Kailua is about 30 minutes by car from Waikiki; Hanauma Bay is closed Mondays and Tuesdays and needs reservations
• North Shore: usually a day trip by rental car. If it is your last day, leave plenty of time for the airport
• Staying in Ko Olina (west): it is 40+ minutes by car to the city, so plan transport ahead

Before you go: a transport checklist

You will want mobile data on arrival if you plan to use a ride-hailing app. If you will ride the bus often, check the official source on how to get a HOLO card.

• Large suitcase: use a taxi, ride-hailing or the shuttle from the airport
• Rent a car only for far-off days and check hotel parking in the total
• US entry (such as ESTA) and driving requirements: check official sources
• Korean MOFA travel advisory Level 1 (exercise caution), whole country. Check your own government's travel advice too

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