Honolulu Airport to City Travel Options

Located around five miles from downtown, Honolulu International Airport, or Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, is the main transport hub in Hawaii, with some 20 million passengers passing through its three terminals annually.

Depending on which side of the plane you’re seated, you can look forward to a final descent that showcases delicious panoramas of Diamond Head and the gleaming Honolulu skyscrapers. You might also catch a glimpse of the West End of Oahu and Pearl Harbor. 

So, without further ado, here’s a quick run-through of the options for traveling from Honolulu Airport into the city.

Traveling light? The bus is your friend. It’s a bit like taking cabin baggage on a flight, though, because if your luggage doesn’t fit on your lap or under the seat in front of you, it ain’t coming on board. In which case, other transport options to downtown Honolulu are available, and we’ll explore those later on.

Bus number 20 connects the airport to the heart of the capital in 30 minutes. Be sure to board the Eastbound Route bus for downtown, and for Waikiki Beach, around 50 minutes away. Alternatively, the Westbound service will take you in the direction of Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona Memorial.

Stops are located in front of the airport on the second floor of terminals 1 and 2, with services departing in both directions every 30 minutes or so. Buy your tickets directly from the driver. Children 5 and under ride free with a paying adult.

Honolulu's Skyline rail is the one here, giving travelers an easy, comfortable way to get to downtown Hawaii. Skyline runs between East Kapolei and the Kalihi Transit Center on Middle Street, stopping at everything in between. Hop aboard to stop at Downtown Honolulu, Ala Moana, Waikīkī, and UH Mānoa. Just keep an eye on the upcoming station so you don’t miss your stop.

The Lelepaua Airport Skyline Station sits on the mauka side of Terminal 2. A walkway on the makai side connects it to the Terminal 2 Parking Garage (4th floor) and the International Parking Garage (4th floor). You’ll find plenty of signage as you disembark your flight, and if you’re struggling, information desks are your best bet.

Cabs are readily available outside arrivals at all terminals. It’s only around five miles from the airport to Honolulu city, with prices ranging from $40-$45 to downtown to $50+ for Waikiki, excluding tips. Remember to tip, as America’s service industry relies on it! 

Travel time is 20-30 minutes. Look out for the bright yellow shirts of the Taxi Dispatcher team, who are there to assist and get you and your luggage safely loaded for the journey into town.

Oahu’s excellent public transport system means a rental car isn’t absolutely necessary. And hey, ride share services like Uber, Holoholo, and Lyft provide a cheap and convenient way to get from A to B quickly whenever you need to anyway.

But sure, your own wheels can come in handy if you’re looking to strike out and explore the volcanic landscapes and lush beaches of this tropical paradise independently. You’ll find all the usual suspects – Alamo, Avis, Enterprise, Hertz, Sixt, and more – at Honolulu Airport’s dedicated rental center, with shuttles to take you there available outside all terminals.