Getting to Honolulu

Hawaii is thousands of miles from the US mainland, making it one of the world’s most remote places; therefore, the only way to reach Honolulu is by flying. Honolulu International Airport is a major air hub in the Pacific and flights come in from cities the world over. Getting to Honolulu and its hotels is very straightforward, as the airport is only a few miles from downtown Honolulu and buses, shuttles, taxis and shared vans are all available for transfers.

By air

Honolulu International Airport is the major airport in the Hawaii archipelago and it receives flights on a daily basis, mainly from Los Angeles and San Francisco as well as direct flights from London and other European centres. Flights come and go throughout the day from the other main islands in the Hawaiian chain and public transport services to Honolulu and other island destinations are excellent.

There is a public bus service which runs to the city centre as well as an airport shuttle service, which also serves Waikiki’s main hotels, along with various private shuttle, taxi and limousine services. Car hire at the airport is also very popular.

Honolulu International Airport

Honolulu International Airport is actually one of the USA’s busiest airports, handling in excess of 20 million plus passengers per year and is the main entry point into the Hawaiian Islands. Situated just a few miles to the west of downtown Honolulu and Waikiki Beach, the airport is very near to Pearl Harbour. The airport is tastefully designed, with lots of open areas and gardens.

There are three terminals at the airport - Overseas, Interisland and Commuter - which operate flights to and from destinations overseas, between islands and US mainland cities respectively. The Interisland Terminal is very busy, with Aloha and Hawaiian airlines operating flights between the main islands. A free shuttle bus, known as the Wiki Wiki bus, provides access between the terminals.

The Main Overseas Terminal (John Rodgers Terminal) is the main terminal at Honolulu International Airport and thus enjoys the best facilities including cash machines, bureaux de change, a post office, lost property service and a 24-hour medical clinic. The other terminals also have essential facilities including cash machines and money changers, and all terminals have an array of shops and restaurants.

Honolulu International Airport transportation

The bus and the licenced Airport Waikiki Express shuttle service are the two most common and cheapest travel options for getting to downtown Honolulu. Bus numbers 19 and 20 depart from the airport every 30 minutes from level 2 of the International and Domestic Departures terminals and run to Aala Park, downtown and Waikiki throughout the day.

The Airport Waikiki Express also runs to downtown Honolulu on a regular basis as well as providing access to many of Waikiki’s better known hotels. This service also runs every 30 minutes and although much more expensive per person than regular buses, it is ideal for those staying at the hotels en-route that do not offer a hotel shuttle service. Many private shuttle companies, hotel courtesy shuttles and taxi and limousine companies also serve all points in Honolulu and Waikiki.

For those hiring cars, head east for Honolulu and Waikiki along the Nimitz Highway (92) from the airport. The Nimitz Highway later becomes the Ala Moana Boulevard, just past downtown Honolulu, which eventually runs into Waikiki. You can also take the Lunalilio Freeway (H1) from the airport into downtown Honolulu and use the Pall Highway exit (south) for downtown Honolulu and Waikiki. All major car hire companies are available at Honolulu International Airport.