How To Get Around Oahu | Car, Bus, Trolley, Bike, Scooter, and More

Are you wondering how to get around Oahu for an upcoming trip?

Whether it’s just getting from the airport to your hotel, or exploring the island of Oahu to the fullest, there are several great transportation options.

Oahu is by far the most populous of the Hawaiian Islands.  The majority of Hawaii’s residents live in or around the capital city of Honolulu.  And the city is full of restaurants, shopping, entertainment, and more.

But navigating Honolulu also means dealing with the normal city issues of traffic, parking, etc.

Like anywhere in America, a rental car is a popular choice for tourists who want the most freedom and autonomy.  However, parking around Honolulu/Waikiki is extremely restrictive.

So other options like taxis, ride share, buses, bikes, hotel shuttle services or even tours are worth considering for your trip to Oahu. 

This guide will help you choose what method is best for you to get around Oahu.

For starters, just to gain some perspective, the island of Oahu isn’t really that big.  At just under 600 square miles (1,545 sq km), you can usually explore almost anywhere on the island as a day trip.

As in, you don’t necessarily need to choose your accommodation just to be “near” something you want to visit.  Reading our guide about the different regions of Oahu can help you decide which part of the island is best for you.

One of the longest drives that many tourists make is from Waikiki to the North Shore, and takes around 1.5 hours by car, depending on traffic.

Traffic is an issue mostly around Honolulu during normal rush hour times.  But you can even run into some congestion in other touristy parts of the island.

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Rental Car

Booking a rental car in Oahu is a popular choice.  The two main rental car hubs are near the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu, or in Waikiki.

You can rent a car through traditional car rental companies.  Or Turo, the peer-to-peer platform, is another popular way to rent a car in Oahu.

We found that renting a car through Turo was slightly cheaper. However, Turo sometimes comes with less convenience because you have to pick up the car somewhere outside the airport.

A rental car is often the first choice for many travelers.  But given the traffic and parking woes of Honolulu, a rental car isn’t always the best option here.

For sure, a rental car gives you the most freedom to explore the island on your own schedule.  But the hassles of city driving, parking fees, and gas prices might make you reconsider.

The Honolulu area has over 1 million residents and consequently city driving conditions similar to that of many major mainland US cities.

Most hotels in and around Waikiki charge an additional $25-45 per night for a parking spot.  So you need to factor that into your budgeting.

And if you plan on driving to attractions around Honolulu, you will likely end up paying more parking fees (metered street parking, garages, etc.)

It can be a pain to do circles around the city just hoping to find a parking spot.  So if you plan to spend most of your vacation around Honolulu, then it’s probably not worth it to have a rental car. There are plenty of better ways to get around the city listed below.

But if you are staying outside Honolulu/Waikiki and plan on exploring more remote parts of the island, then renting a car is one of the best options.  A road trip around the north shore features sites like Kualoa Ranch, the Polynesian Cultural Center, Ted’s Bakery, Bonzai Pipeline, Turtle Cove, and more.

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Public Transportation

Oahu actually has great public transportation with their bus system, aptly named “The Bus”.  It’s a very cheap and convenient way to get around Oahu.  Rides start at $2.75 one-way, and total daily spend is capped at $5.50!

The best place for using The Bus is around Honolulu/Waikiki, because buses run often and rides are short.

However, you can reach most parts of Oahu with The Bus, and even all the way up to the north shore.  However, it takes much longer than driving in a car, and you need to transfer buses.

Perhaps the one shortfall is that The Bus can’t take you to more remote trailheads.  You would be better off using a rental car or taxi for exploring all the best hiking trails in Oahu.

The easiest way to plan routes with the bus is by using google Maps and setting the method to “bus”.  It shows you everything from the nearest bus stop, the next bus departure, cost, and even when to transfer buses (if needed).

If you plan on using The Bus several times, then it’s worth getting a HOLO Card.  It’s a bus pass you can load with credit.  Find them easily at any Foodland, Times Supermarket, or ABC Stores.

But note that some baggage restrictions apply when riding The Bus.  You are generally restricted to only luggage that fits under your seat or in your lap. So The Bus won’t take you from the Honolulu airport to your hotel if you have a lot of luggage.

The bus system is the cheapest option to get around the island if you’re on a tight budget.  But you need to account for a little extra travel time.

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Waikiki Trolley

One unique way to get around Oahu is with a Waikiki Trolley Pass.  This open-air trolley offers hop-on hop-off service for exploring (mostly) on your own schedule.  And fun and knowledgeable drivers provide unique information along the way.

They offer single-day or flexible multi-day passes that stop at many major attractions around Waikiki.

There are four routes connecting you to all the best attractions in Waikiki and Honolulu.

• Blue Line (Coastal / Diamond Head) – Highlights: Duke Kahanamoku Statue, Honolulu Zoo, Waikiki Aquarium, Diamond Head, Halona Blow Hole, Sea Life Park.
• Red Line (Heroes & Legends) – Highlights:  Honolulu Museum of Art, State Capitol / Iolani Palace, Punchbowl Crater, Foster Botanical Garden, Chinatown, Downtown Honolulu & Hawaii Theatre, King Kamehameha Statue, Ala Moana Center
• Pink Line (Ala Moana Shopping) – Highlights:  Waikiki Shopping Plaza, Marugame Udon, Ala Moana Shopping Center.
• Green Line (Local Dining & Diamond Head) – Highlights: Diamond Crater Hike, Kahala Scenic Lookout, Pipeline Bakeshop, Leonard’s Bakery, Rainbow Drive-In.

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Taxi & Ride Share

Taxis and Ride Share apps like Uber and Lyft are a good on-demand way to get around Oahu.  And they are probably the most common way to get from the airport to your hotel.

Taxis and ride-shares can be found all over Oahu, but they are certainly much more abundant around Honolulu.

You can hail a cab the “old-fashioned” way by simply flagging one down that drives by.  Or use your hotel concierge or the many taxi stands around popular destinations to arrange a ride in advance.

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Bicycles & Scooters

Bike and scooter-sharing apps are growing transportation options in Oahu, Hawaii.  You can rent bicycles and scooters from various sharing apps, like Biki, GoX.  But they are exclusively found in Honolulu.

These eco-friendly modes of transport can be a fun way to get around with minimal emissions.  Bikes and scooters must be ridden on roadways, though there’s a decent amount of bike lanes.  For short trips around the city, a bike or scooter is much cheaper than renting a car or taxi.

The biggest bike-sharing platform in Oahu is Biki.  They have 1,300 bikes at over 130 conveniently located self-service “Biki Stops” throughout the city of Honolulu. Bike fares begin as low as $3.50 an hour or up to $20 for a 24-hour pass. Additionally, Biki offers limited-time membership packages for those looking for a long-term option.

Or you can rent an electric scooter with the GoXApp.  It’s $1 to unlock and then $0.25 per minute, $6.99 for 42 minutes, or $29.99 for a day pass. Bikes and scooters can be a fun way to explore Honolulu if you are a confident rider.  However, beginners may find the city traffic a little intimidating.

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Motorcycles and Moped

If you have a motorcycle license, you can rent a motorcycle or moped in Oahu.  The minimum age for mopeds is 16 and minimum age for motorcycles is 21.  Explore the island with the sunshine on your skin, and wind in your hair.  (Well maybe not, you should probably wear a helmet).

Dealing with the traffic in Honolulu is probably not your ideal vision of cruising on a motorcycle.  But once you get outside the city, there are plenty of beautiful and scenic roads.

You can cruise along the sunny coasts or venture inland to the curvy mountain roads.  Though be aware that rain showers are more likely in the interior of the island.

A popular sightseeing route is along the coastal Kalanianaole Highway, with highlights like Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve, Koko Head Crater, Leonard’s Bakery, and Makapu’u Point Lighthouse Trail.

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Walking

Honolulu is a great city to explore on foot.  The city has wide sidewalks and tons of unique areas to experience. Additionally, most of the best hotels in Oahu are in Waikiki close to the action.

The Waikiki district is full of restaurants and upscale shops just steps away from the beach.

In downtown Honolulu, there’s the vibrant Kaka’ako district that’s famous for buildings covered in street art and murals.  Explore the Kaka’ako farmers market on the weekends, visit the Honolulu Museum Of Art, or marvel at the views at Kaka’ako Waterfront Park.

Walk around the Chinatown district and you can find all kinds of authentic Asian culture, architecture, and food.  Check out the markets, street food stalls, and temples.

So with so many cool attractions close together, walking is a great way to get around Oahu.

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Tours In Oahu

Tours are also a great option for getting around Oahu.  Many tours in Oahu include transportation, so it can be your “all-inclusive” ticket to see the best attractions in Oahu.  There’s literally a tour to do almost everything you could think of.

From snorkeling with turtles and shark cage diving, to helicopter tours and sunset cruises.  Learn about history at Pearl Harbor Memorial or enjoy fresh pineapple at the Dole Plantation.

When you consider the price of a rental car, plus gas and other expenses, tours are honestly a great value.  Plus they handle all the details, so you can just enjoy your vacation and leave the driving and planning to them!

Find Great Tours In Oahu With Viator

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Conclusion | How To Get Around Oahu

While most people default to renting a car on vacation, it’s not always the best option for an Oahu vacation.  If you are staying outside the city or intend to visit more rural attractions, then a rental car is probably your best option. It’s the best way to get to trailheads and campsites in Oahu.

However, if you are staying around Honolulu or Waikiki, the parking and traffic can make having a rental car more of a nuisance.  For getting around Honolulu,  you will be better served by some of the other modes of transportation.  The bus system is the most affordable way to get around Oahu but is a little slower and takes some route planning.

And why stop with just Oahu, it’s pretty easy to do some Hawaii island hopping to see the other islands.

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