Terminals 1 and 2 are served by public transport buses to central Honolulu. Terminal 3 (Mokulele) is accessible only by car or via the free airport shuttle bus from Terminals 1 and 2.

What transport should I use?

• I want to explore Oahu -> hire a car directly at the airport
  • 👉 compare car hire prices
• I’m only going to Honolulu city centre-> take the direct W bus for 3,25 usd (or cheaper with the HOLO Card, see details below)
  • 👉 find the cheapest accommodation in the city centre
• I’m heading straight from the airport to Pearl Harbour-> the Skyline metro

Car hire

AlthoughOahu isthe onlyisland in Hawaii where a car isn’t strictly necessary, if you’re planning to explore the countryside in more depth, it’s definitely the most convenient option.

Most international car hire companies are, of course, based at the airport itself; prices range from around50 usd per day, depending on the length of the hire and how far in advance you book.

Buses from the terminal

The W express bus service runs to Airport Terminals 1 and 2. You can find timetables and route maps on the official website:thebus.org/Route.

Route W (city centre, Ala Moana, Waikiki)

To travel to Honolulu city centre and Waikiki Beach, use the W bus route.

You’ll find the bus stops on the arrivals level.

The W bus is an express service and does not stop at every stop along the route – see the detailed list of stops.

• Frequency– every 15 minutes
• Journey time– Ala Moana 30 minutes / Waikiki 40 minutes
• Operating hours
  • First bus from Waikiki – 4.15 am
  • Last bus from the airport – 23:15

The 10 best places to stay in Honolulu

Tickets

A single fare applies on all bus routes in Honolulu.

• HOLO Card– a rechargeable card costing 2 usd (available from a ticket machine at the Skyline metro station in the airport)
  • 3 usd for 2 hours (unlimited transfers)
  • 7,50 usd daily limit
  • 20 usd for 72 hours
  • 35 usd for 168 hours
• Paper ticket from the driver– valid for one journey only
  • 3,25 usd, payment can only be made in the exact amount in cash!

Buses from ‘Nimitz Hwy’

When travelling to or from the airport, you can also use the ‘Nimitz Hwy/Rodgers Bl’ stop, about 400 metres along an unmarked footpath from the terminal. Routes 40, 42 and 51 stop here.

• Route 40 – Honolulu city centre, Pearl Harbor, Pearl City, Waipahu, Kapolei, Waianae, Makaha; runs every 30 minutes
• Route 42 – Honolulu city centre, Waikiki, Pearl Harbor, Pearl City, Waipahu, Ewa Beach; frequency: every 40 minutes
• Route 51 – Honolulu city centre, Pearl Harbor, Pearl City, Waipio, Wahiawa; frequency: every 30–40 minutes

Skyline Metro

The Skyline automated metro is a new rail system in southern Oahu, which will eventually run from Honolulu city centre via the airport and Pearl Harbor to the town of Kapolei.

At present, only the westernmost section is in operation, running from Kapolei via the airport to the Kahauiki interchange, which is not, however, located in central Honolulu.

For journeys to central Honolulu and Waikiki, the direct W bus route is still the best option.

It is expected that part of the route to the centre of Honolulu will be completed in 2031.

The official Skyline Metro website:honolulutransit.org/about/route-map.

• Fares– can only be paid using a rechargeable HOLO Card, which you can purchase at metro stations for 2 usd. Valid on the metro and all buses.
  • 3 usd for 2 hours (unlimited transfers)
  • 7,50 usd daily pass
  • 20 usd 72 hours
  • 35 usd for 168 hours
• Frequency– every 10 to 15 minutes
• Operating hours– first train at 4.00 am, last train at 10.00 pm
• Who can benefit from the Skyline?For journeys from the airport directly to Pearl Harbor

Transport map from HNL Airport

Taxi / Uber / ride-sharing apps

Taxis are the quickest and most comfortable way to get to Honolulu.

Outside the terminal, you can use traditional metered taxis or apps such as Uber or Bolt, which may offer lower fares.

Here are some indicative fares from the airport:

• Honolulu city centre (Ala Moana Centre) – 50 usd
• Waikiki Beach – 53 usd
• Diamond Head – 66 usd
• Pearl Harbor – 53 usd
• Ewa Beach – 101 usd