Oahu Transportation
Navigating the Island
Where you are staying (or living) on island makes all the difference in what type of traffic you will experience on Oahu throughout the day. There are very few major roadways here, so small accidents and construction, as well as daily commuters, can cause major delays in getting from point A to B. Here are a few options of transportation while here, and how to use them most efficiently. Be aware of the crazy traffic that can sometimes build up throughout the island roadways. Honolulu has been called "little LA" in terms of how bad traffic gets during rush hour and North Shore is busy pretty much every day of the week from late morning to early afternoon because of the limited road infrastructure. But that is what makes Hawaii beautiful, as much untouched land as possible, so that means less ways to get from place to place. Plan sight-seeing, commuting, and other activities accordingly. With so many beautiful places to see and things to do, you want to have reliable transportation to get you around the island, Whether you live here or are just visiting, you have a few options.
- The Bus -
The most popular and accessible form of public transportation on Oahu is "The Bus." When I first moved out I rode the but for about two weeks and soon found this was not a very quick or convenient way to get around, for me personally. My 13 mile commute took about an hour and 45 min each way... a 20 minute drive by car. This was almost 4 hours of my day being spent on a bus, which for me wasn't worth saving money not buying my own vehicle. If I wanted to go to the beach (any beach) it would take close to two hours. If you are staying in or work in Honolulu or work close to home, TheBus is a great way to get around, but still will probably be fairly slow. Same goes for staying/working solely on the North Shore. However, if you need to get from one side of the island to the other, this is not the ideal form of transportation. They have a couple great Apps to track the running buses and direct you where and when to get off, my personal favorite was the Moovit App. "DaBus" app was always delayed and glitchy. You can also find the bus routes and time tables Here.
You can either top up your HOLO Card online using a credit card or pick it up and load it at any convenience store or TheBus Pass Office. Additionally, you can also find HOLO vending machines at Skyline stations as well as most Satellite City Halls.
- The Skyline Rail -
The Honolulu rail system, known as Skyline, features 19 stations along an 18.9-mile-long corridor on the south shore of Oʻahu. The first 13 stations, from East Kapolei to Kalihi Transit Center, are operational and have been transferred to the City’s Department of Transportation Services for passenger service. The next City Center stations are under construction. The final two stations – Kakaʻako and Ala Moana – will be completed in a separate project phase.
For more information, see their site Here.
- Waikiki Trolley -
The Waikiki Trolley is a hop-on, hop-off service connects top tourist spots, downtown Honolulu, and Diamond Head across multiple colored lines. Passes range from one-day to multi-day, starting at around $30. This alternative way to get around the city has a fleet of vehicles and routes that range from legitimate busing service to themed hop-on, hop-off adventures that covers most major visitor attractions.
- The Purple Line costs $25 for a ticket and services Pearl Harbor, the Bishop Museum, and Pier 38 Fishing Village.
- The Yellow Line, nicknamed the Honolulu Dining Express, costs $2 and goes between popular eateries in Waikīkī.
-Uber, Lyft & Holoholo -
For Rideshares, Uber and Lyft are pretty prevalent and are the common means to get to town if we want to avoid the terrible parking or if we want to go to the bars. There are a few taxi services as well but I have honestly never used them. Around closing time for the bars, the surge pricing for Uber can be a little insane (over $100 for a 18 mile ride). We noticed Lyft doesn't surge prices like Uber so we usually use that to get home. This can change your ride price from $60 to $30. A morning/midday uber from the airport to North Shore and vice versa usually runs about $60+ depending how far you are.
Holoholo is another local option. Holoholo is Hawai‘i’s locally owned rideshare service, connecting riders with trusted drivers across Oahu, Maui, Hawaii Island, and Kauai.
-North Shore Shuttle -
The North Shore Huakaʻi:
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An incredibly affordable community shuttle running from Waikiki (or Ko Olina) to historic Haleiwa Town. Round-trip tickets are just $5, making it the most budget-friendly option. Make sure to book ahead at least a month, spots fill up quick!
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Huaka'i information and booking
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Deep North Shore & Sightseeing Shuttles:
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Services like Wildlife Hawaii offer round-trip transfers (around $50–$60+) with drop-offs extending beyond Haleiwa to beaches like Waimea Bay, Sunset Beach, and Shark's Cove
Direct Private Shuttles:
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If you prefer direct, non-stop transportation or have lots of gear (like surfboards), companies like NS Oahu Shuttle and North Shore Airport Rides offer flat-rate private transfers directly from the Honolulu International Airport (HNL) or Waikiki.
The Bus
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For a local adventure, you can take city bus routes (such as the #52) from Honolulu to Haleiwa. It costs just $3.00, but it takes roughly 60–90 minutes with multiple stops. You will need a reloadable HOLO card, which can be purchased at any 7-Eleven or ABC Store.
-Rental Cars-
If you are visiting and need a rental car, many are conveniently located a short walk from where you exit the airport. If you are looking for a cheaper, sometimes more flexible option, there is also Turo, which I highly recommend. Myself and many others have had great luck with this for outer island travel and it is usually cheaper than the airport rental companies.
If you are staying in Waikīkī, you will most likely be within walking distance to the beach and many restaurants, as well as to any number of bus routes, shuttles, and ride share services (see above), which lessens their need for a car on a daily basis. Most hotels charge extra for parking as well, which can really add up if you are staying a week in Honolulu. It has been around $50/night when we have staycationed in Waikiki. A good tip is renting a Turo for the day, like 7am - 7pm and returning the car each day, so you don't have to find/pay for parking.
If you are a resident on island, check with your employer for special discount rates on rental cars at the airport.
Many tourists opt for a flashy Mustang convertable or a bright Jeep Wrangler. If you want to be a little more inconspicuous, there are lots of options. Thieves tend to target rental cars, so be especially wary of what you leave unattended.
-Mopeds-
I personally would not recommend mopeds, because there have been so many accidents involving them since I moved here. However, they would be nice if you are solely on one side of the island. They are popular for people and college students living in Honolulu because it is easier for parking and getting around quickly. During the weekends, especially when the surf is good on the North Shore, expect traffic to be insane. Mopeds and beach cruiser bikes can speed past the frustrating traffic but are pretty limited to the region of the island you are at (ex: North Shore/Honolulu), and can also be dangerous (lots of moped accidents here). You aren't legally supposed to drive mopeds on the highways because they don't go fast enough, and aren't overly safe. There are multiple moped accidents here each year, and casualties.
-Beach Cruiser Bikes-
Beach cruiser bikes aren't exactly the most quick mode of transpiration but are fun to cruise around neighborhoods like Kailua, Haleiwa and Pupukea, as there are a few bike trails around to avoid having to ride next to traffic. Many people living along the beach choose bikes to get around the North Shore if they are going for a swim or checking the surf. Make sure to lock up your bike wherever you park. "Chronics" like to hide out in the bushes and steal bikes regularly. If you're a local, Facebook marketplace is a great place to find bikes. I found mine for $100 at an estate sale. There are plenty of rental options though if you want to ditch the car and get a more scenic view. Just beware of crazy drivers and oblivious tourists.
-Biki Bikes-
Once you get to town (Honolulu/Waikiki) you will notice many people cruising around on aqua blue bikes, better known as Bikis. This is a great way to get from bar to bar, beach to beach, or sightsee the city without having to scour for parking. You can download their app and set up an account to use them. You input your card info, select your station and it will send you a code to enter on any of the available bike numeral key pads. They bike will unlock and you remove it from the lock station. Last I checked, it was $20 for 300 minutes, which has lasted me a long time! The time starts when you take a bike and stops when you return it to another station. You can access the bike station locations and availability from the app, and they will mail you a card if you request for quick bike access. Recently, they have removed a few stations and there was talk that they might be shutting down for good, but I still see them around and have an active account. CAUTION: Be sure to take a photo of the condition of your bike before you unlock it, and take a photo or video of the bike locked up. I had an incident where they tried to claim my bike was not returned to the bike station after riding it. It was a stressful ordeal and they were trying to charge me a couple THOUSAND dollars for a replacement bike. After a difficult time reaching them and a long talk with their customer service, they realized their error. That turned me off from the company quite a bit. However, it's a fun concept when they work, just protect your self and document your ride experience. Homeless in town have discovered ways to "break out" the bikis and steal them, and I think the company was trying to blame it on the previous rider for "not properly inserting the bike into the lock".
- Having Your Own Vehicle -
Eventually I found a used, reliable car on Offer Up and gained some freedom to explore and sleep in a little later. I am slowly finding better places to park when going to more touristy areas and spots in town. Most of the parking areas in town require a parking fee, either at a street meter or a parking lot pay station. They patrol these lots viciously, so I wouldn't risk not feeding the meter. There are plenty of open air parking lots in Honolulu, most are at least $3/hour. Ala Moana, Whole Foods and Target in town have free parking in covered garages and are also located semi-centrally. Parking on the North Shore, east side, and west side is generally always free (other than Waimea valley on the weekend) but a lot of it is near residential neighborhoods, so please be mindful. During surf competitions, parking gets CRAZY around Pipeline, Waimea, Pupukea and Sunset Beach, and sometimes during contests and other events residents offer spots in their yards for a moderate fee. For events like these, it is best to carpool or walk if you can. Unless you get lucky or arrive very early, you'll probably have a bit of walking to do anyway. Be courteous of people's property up there! They are bombarded with tourists everyday and they last thing they want is some idiot blocking their driveway.
If you are moving here and are thinking of purchasing a vehicle or shipping one over, both are options. The price of used cars has skyrocketed since covid times. It is often times cheaper to buy a new vehicle here, especially for trucks. Shipping a car over costs around $1-2,000, and requires you taking it to one of the coastal ports for shipment. I did not ship a car so I am not overly familiar with this process, but I do know your car needs to be completely empty of all belongings and it takes a couple weeks for the vehicle to arrive.
-Theft & Break Ins-
Locals and tourists have one commonality and annoying occurance to worry about; Thieves.
Regardless of where you live or stay on the island, do not leave visible valuables in your car, and be very sneaky about hiding things in your trunk... they can break into there just as easily. Do any rummaging or rearranging before you leave home or head to your next sight-see destination to lessen the chance that thieves scope out your car. Theft and car break-ins are a daily occurrence here, as well as vehicles being outright stolen. They'll bust out your window for pocket change in your console and steal your car while you surf. Be smart and NEVER leave your keys unattended. This can be tricky when engaging in water activities. If you are a tourist, take turns watching your stuff on the beach. Most locals invest in a hard-copy key they can take in the water, or a lock box (which I have seen be broke into as well). Car theft is amazingly common, and frustrating. Cars are stolen and stripped for parts, then ditched on the side of the road, or abandoned in stripping fields all over the island. You'll see lot of abandoned cars here, rental cars included, and very little will be done to find the perpetrators - unfortunately. Crime is heavy and is not slowing down here and the local law enforcement will do very little to help you.
- Island Hopping -
Hopping over to another island is considered commuting for some locals. Also, many visitors try to see a couple different Hawaiian islands during their stay; each has their own unique charm and natural wonders. See my tips for island hopping and some of my favorite things to see and do on the other islands Here.
- Traffic Updates -
Accidents, road closures and road construction are guaranteed on island year round. Check ahead so your commute or site seeing plans aren't ruined. For up-to-date traffic updates, check out Oahu's DOT sites:
