Terminals 1 and 2 are accessible by public transportation buses to central Honolulu. Terminal 3 (Mokulele) is only accessible by car or free airport shuttle bus from Terminals 1 and 2.
Car rental
Although the island of Oahu is the only one in Hawaii where a car is not strictly necessary, if you plan to travel more thoroughly in the rural areas, a rental car is definitely the most convenient option. Of course, most international car rental companies are based right at the airport, with prices around 50 usd per day depending on the length of the rental as well as the timeliness of the reservation.
Buses from the terminal
The airport's terminals 1 and 2 are served by the 20 and 303 buses. Timetables and maps of the routes can be found on the official website: thebus.org/Route.
Route 20 (downtown and Pearl Harbour)
For trips to downtown Honolulu and Waikiki Beach, use bus route 20.
The trip to downtown takes about 30 minutes, and the trip to Waikiki takes 70 minutes. Buses run from 4:45 to 1:20 every 20 minutes.
The stops are located on the departure level, so once you arrive you have to go up to the first floor. Buses leave from the same stop both downtown and the other way, so always check with the driver to see where they are going.
You can also use the 20 line to go to the Pearl Harbor memorial sites, just the other way in the direction of "Aloha Stadium".
Route 303
Route 303 runs from the airport to the Hickam Military Base area, and in the downtown direction, terminates at the Kalihi Transit Center, a major transfer hub where you can transfer to other lines around Honolulu.
However, its usage by tourists is very low, as it is Line 20 that runs directly into downtown Honolulu.
Tickets
Fares are uniform for all lines and are 3 usd. Tickets can only be purchased with exact cash from the driver. The ticket is for 1 ride only and is not transferable.
For traveling around Honolulu, it is preferable to use the HOLO Card, which is free and can be loaded with any amount. You just "tap" the card when you board the bus, the fare for 1 trip is also 3 usd, but unlike a paper ticket from the driver, you can transfer freely for 2.5 hours without being charged additional money. The daily limit is then 7,50 usd. More money is never skimmed no matter how many times you use the bus.
Unfortunately you can't buy a HOLO card at the airport, where you just have to use a paper ticket from the driver and then buy the card at one of the many outlets in town.
- List of points of sale: holocard.net/where-to-obtain-load-a-card
- Guide to Honolulu
Buses from "Nimitz Hwy"
On your way to/from the airport, you can also use the "Nimitz hwy/Rodgers Bl. stop about 400 yards down an unmarked sidewalk from the terminal. Lines 9, 40, 42, 51 and 88A stop here.
- Line 9 - downtown Honolulu, Diamnond Head; frequency 20 minutes
- Line 40 - downtown Honolulu, Pearl Harbor, Pearl City, Waipahu, Kapolei, Waianae, Makaha; frequency 30 minutes
- Line 42 - downtown Honolulu, Waikiki, Pearl Harbor, Pearl City, Waipahu, Ewa Beach; frequency 40 minutes
- Line 51 - downtown Honolulu, Pearl Harbor, Pearl City, Waipio, Wahiawa; frequency 30-40 minutes
- Line 88A - downtown Honolulu and the entire east coast of Oahu to Turtle Bay Resort; frequency twice daily
Taxi
Taxis are the fastest and most convenient mode of transportation to Honolulu.
Outside the terminal, you can use traditional metered taxis as well as apps like Uber and Bolt, which can offer a lower price.
Here are the approximate prices for rides from the airport:
- Downtown Honolulu (Ala Moana Center) - 50 usd
- Waikiki Beach - 53 usd
- Diamond Head - 66 usd
- Pearl Harbor - 53 usd
- Ewa Beach - 101 usd
Metro Skyline
The Auto Skyline Metro is South Oahu's new rail system that will eventually run from downtown Honolulu through the airport and Pearl Harbor to Kapolei.
Currently, only the westernmost section from Kapolei to Aloha Stadium is in service, so the Skyline does not run to the airport.
It is anticipated that a portion of the route around the airport to the Kalihi Transit Center interchange will be operational in 2025 and the entire route to downtown Honolulu in 2031.
The official Metro Skyline website: honolulutransit.org/about/route-map.
