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Honolulu travel guide

Honolulu covers the sunny south shore of Oahu, from Pearl Harbor and the airport in the west to Diamond Head and Hawaii Kai in the east. Nearly all visitor hotels sit in Waikiki, a compact strip between the beach and the Ala Wai Canal, with smaller clusters at Ala Moana, Kakaako and downtown around the harbour.

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Getting there and choosing your base

  • Daniel K. Inouye International (HNL): The main gateway to the state, west of downtown. TheBus route W runs to Waikiki but does not take large luggage, and the Skyline rail station at the airport only serves western Honolulu for now, so most arrivals heading to Waikiki use a shuttle, taxi or hire car.
  • Inter-island flights: There is no regular passenger ferry between the islands, so connections to Maui, Kauai or the Big Island go by air from the same airport; an early departure makes an airport-area room worth considering on the last night.
  • Honolulu Harbor cruise piers: Cruise ships from the mainland and inter-island cruises dock downtown, a short taxi ride from Waikiki; a downtown or Kakaako hotel cuts the transfer on embarkation day.

Areas to consider

Waikiki

Suits beach-first trips and visitors without a car, with surf lessons, shops and restaurants all walkable. A Kalakaua Avenue address faces the sand, while Kuhio Avenue and Ala Wai Boulevard are a few blocks back; look at the map before paying for a 'beach' location.

Ala Moana and Kakaako

Suits shoppers and repeat visitors who want the large Ala Moana centre, the beach park and newer apartment-style towers between Waikiki and downtown. If the listing is a condominium let as a hotel room, ask whether it has a kitchen and in-building parking.

Downtown and Chinatown

Suits business travellers and those interested in the State Capitol, Iolani Palace and the museums. Many streets are quiet after office hours, so look at evening dining options within walking distance.

East Honolulu (Kahala to Hawaii Kai)

Suits travellers who want rocky coves, Hanauma Bay snorkelling and a residential feel away from Waikiki. Places to stay are scarce and you will need a car, so check the parking terms and the drive into town at rush hour.

When to go

Temperatures barely change through the year; the main difference is rain, which falls more in winter, mainly on the hills and the east side. Mid-December to March is the tightest period for rooms, June to September is pricey but easier to book, and spring and autumn usually bring the best deals.

Before choosing a room

  • Many Waikiki and Ala Moana listings are condo-hotel units owned by different people, so furnishing and kitchens vary from one unit to the next; ask what your particular unit includes.
  • Large resorts often have several towers of different ages; ask which tower your room is in and when it was last renovated.
  • Hotel names in Waikiki change fairly often after rebrandings, so check the street address on your confirmation rather than the name alone.

Sources and planning resources

Facts checked on . Transport services, taxes and hotel offers can change. Confirm the details for your trip before booking.

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