Traveling to Hawaii for the vacation of a lifetime? Hopefully you’ve already worked out how you’re getting there, because we won’t be including that information here. That’s for a whole other article on a whole different day. What we'll be exploring instead, my tropical island-loving friends, is the variety of ways to get around Oahu once you’ve touched down on Hawaiian soil. Or should that be sand?
There are plenty of ways to get around the major hubs – Honolulu, Waikiki and Kailua – and our guide covers all of them, including…
- Rental cars
- Private chauffeurs
- Ride sharing
- Scooters
- Biki bikes
- Catamarans
- The Waikiki Trolley
- The Skyline metro
- TheBus
- … and more!
Tip: planning to see lots of Oahu attractions on your travels? Treat yourself to a Go City Oahu pass for access to more than 40 activities, tours and attractions. With the pass, the more you see the more you save and – bonus alert! – it includes several ways to get around the island, including catamarans, coach tours and bike and scooter rentals.
Driving
Rental Cars
Renting a car is the most popular option for visitors in Oahu, especially for first-timers and those staying outside of Honolulu and Waikiki – both are well-enough-served by public transport that a car isn’t really necessary; unless, that is, you plan to do a lot of your sightseeing outside of them. As well you might: the wildlife-rich waters of Hanauma Bay, turtle-tastic sands of the North Shore and lush Koʻolau mountain landscapes of the island’s windward side are all well worth a few days of your time.
You can rent cars from all the usual suspects at the airport – as well as jeeps and 4x4s for more adventurous explorers. Alternatively, Hui Car Share operates at multiple locations around Waikiki Beach and is a great option if you want to grab a car for short outings on a whim, with rental periods starting from as little as 10 minutes.
Driving in Oahu is relatively easy and safe, although traffic can occasionally be an issue during the high seasons from June to August and December to March.
Pro-tip #1: Speed limits in Oahu are generally lower than those in the continental United States, and are strictly enforced.
Pro-tip #2: Parking in Honolulu and Waikiki can be tricky, with crowded parking garages and expensive fees. Also be aware that many of the state parks charge small fees for parking if you’re heading out to hike or swim in places like Hanauma Bay or Diamond Head.
Private Shuttle
If you're planning to visit Oahu with a larger group, you may find it more cost-effective to hire a personal driver for the duration of your trip. Chartering a private shuttle is a great way to make sure you're able to get around to all of your must-see spots. Also: no more arguments about who’s going to be the designated driver that day. Sadly, what we can’t help with is corralling the laziest members of your crew on time for departure each morning.
Ride shares
Uber and Lyft dominate the ride share options in Oahu, with cars readily available most of the time, especially in and around Waikiki, Honolulu and Kailua. Smaller local firms like holoholo also operate here and often come in cheaper than their bigger international rivals.
Public transport
TheBus
There’s an excellent local bus system called, quite simply, TheBus. TheBus primarily services Honolulu and Waikiki, but has services extending out to just about every major town on the island (Kapolei, Kailua, etc). Catching a ride on TheBus is as easy as finding the nearest stop, standing in front of it, and waiting to be picked up. Once on board, make sure to pay attention to where you are, as you'll have to pull the cord to request your drop-off.
All buses require exact fare (currently $3) when paying cash. But, if you’re going to be riding even a moderate amount, it’s worth getting a Holo card (available online and in several supermarkets) – your $3 single fare then bundles in 2.5 hours of unlimited transfers, and your total spend for any given day will be capped at $7.50. This includes rides on Skyline…
Skyline
Skyline
Honululu’s futuristic sky railway opened in 2023 and links Kualakaʻi to Kahauiki, with several more stops along the way. Fares are the same as for TheBus, but you can’t use cash on Skyline and will need a Holo card to ride. A trip from one end to the other takes around 30 minutes and – for a mere $3 – a round-trip is a cheap and incredibly scenic way to while away a wistful hour.
Taxis
Taxis are abundant in Waikiki and Honolulu but can be a bit more difficult to find in outlying areas. The fares can be costly once you start traveling outside of the city, so you’re much better off going the car rental or rideshare route if you want to explore extensively outside of the major metropolitan areas.
Hiking and biking
Adventures on foot
Waikiki and Honolulu are very pedestrian-friendly and you’ll find plenty of cool restaurants, bars and other attractions around urban neighborhoods like Kaka’ako and Kaimuki. You’ll also want to spend some time hoofing it around some of Oahu’s more extraordinary natural attractions. Wear comfy walking shoes for hikes to Diamond Head, through Waimea Valley, and up to the Makapuu Lighthouse.
Adventures on two wheels
Cycling is another excellent way to explore Honolulu and Waikiki. What price the freedom to pedal gently along, tropical breeze in your hair, pausing for an occasional refreshing Mai Tai along the way? Eight-hour bike rentals are included with the Go City Oahu pass, or you could go the Biki bike route, where you pay a subscription online or via the app, giving you access to short-term rentals from 130-or-so pick-up and drop-off stations in and around Honolulu and Waikiki.
Other ways to get around Oahu
- The Waikiki Trolley. A handy hop-on hop-off sightseeing trolley with around 35 stops around Honolulu and Waikiki. Prices start at $64 for a day pass.
- Scooters. A zippier way to negotiate Honolulu traffic than in a rental car, and no mistake. You can pick these up at the airport and in-resort. For a taster, try this 3-hour moped rental that comes bundled with the Go City Oahu pass.
- Catamarans. If there’s a more A-list way to sightsee around Oahu than aboard one of these sleek vessels, we’ve yet to find it. And, once again, the Oahu pass has your back.
Arriving in Oahu
Arriving in Oahu
Why oh why oh why leave the first and perhaps most important bit until the end, we hear you cry! Well, that’s because we’ve already covered all that extensively elsewhere, silly!
Ready for more Hawaii inspiration? Discover the island’s best attractions for history buffs and check out our complete guide to using Go City Oahu passes.
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