Is TheBus sufficient for travel in Honolulu?
May 1, 2015, 11:45 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 33
Is TheBus sufficient for travel in Honolulu?
For those who've been to Honolulu, is TheBus a good option for travel around the city? From what I hear about Honolulu traffic, I think I'd like to avoid renting a car if possible.
It also looks like TheBus has a run to Pearl Harbor. Anyone have experience with that?
It also looks like TheBus has a run to Pearl Harbor. Anyone have experience with that?
May 1, 2015, 1:26 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist, Ambassador: World of Hyatt
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: NJ
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Fairmont Lifetime Plat, UA Silver, dirt elsewhere
Posts: 46,919
It depends upon where you want to go. TheBus is a good alternative, but sometimes it can take a while to come.
Another option is to rent a car by the day to go to other sites you want to see.
Traffic is not all that bad. It's heavy, but it depends on what you're used to dealing with. I can say that it's heavy almost all the time between the airport and Waikiki and reasonable manageable, to none at all, in other parts of the island.
I've always driven to Pearl Harbor so I can't help you there.
Another option is to rent a car by the day to go to other sites you want to see.
Traffic is not all that bad. It's heavy, but it depends on what you're used to dealing with. I can say that it's heavy almost all the time between the airport and Waikiki and reasonable manageable, to none at all, in other parts of the island.
I've always driven to Pearl Harbor so I can't help you there.
May 1, 2015, 1:36 pm
#3
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: LAX
Programs: UA/AA
Posts: 1,741
For those who've been to Honolulu, is TheBus a good option for travel around the city? From what I hear about Honolulu traffic, I think I'd like to avoid renting a car if possible.
It also looks like TheBus has a run to Pearl Harbor. Anyone have experience with that?
It also looks like TheBus has a run to Pearl Harbor. Anyone have experience with that?
May 2, 2015, 11:56 am
#4
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Honolulu, Hawaii
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 97
From Waikiki, take route 20 or 42 westbound, stop right in front of Arizona Memorial. Travel time will be around 1 hour. To return, walk to Kamehameha Highway outside memorial.
If you need to transfer, ask the driver for a transfer ticket (free) when you pay. It's good for 2 more rides for the next 2 hours.
You can go to http://hea.thebus.org/ or download DaBus app on your phone to access real time arrivals. Most buses have GPS so it's pretty accurate.
If you need to transfer, ask the driver for a transfer ticket (free) when you pay. It's good for 2 more rides for the next 2 hours.
You can go to http://hea.thebus.org/ or download DaBus app on your phone to access real time arrivals. Most buses have GPS so it's pretty accurate.
May 2, 2015, 10:20 pm
#6
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Kirkland, WA, USA
Programs: Marriott Gold; LEGO VIP, Amex Platinum, HHonors Gold
Posts: 563
I think the traffic problem in Honolulu is a bit overblown. We had a cab driver apologize for the traffic when we didn't get through a traffic light on the first green!
If you're not driving into Honolulu at rush hour in the morning, or away in the evening rush hour, it's just like any big city in the USA, it's heavy but it moves freely.
Unless there's road works, or an accident - just like any other big city in the USA!
Absolutely rent a car to get out of the big city and head to the North Shore or East Side
If you're not driving into Honolulu at rush hour in the morning, or away in the evening rush hour, it's just like any big city in the USA, it's heavy but it moves freely.
Unless there's road works, or an accident - just like any other big city in the USA!
Absolutely rent a car to get out of the big city and head to the North Shore or East Side
May 3, 2015, 9:52 am
#7
Join Date: Jul 2013
Programs: AA, B6, UA, HH, WoH
Posts: 455
I think the traffic problem in Honolulu is a bit overblown. We had a cab driver apologize for the traffic when we didn't get through a traffic light on the first green!
If you're not driving into Honolulu at rush hour in the morning, or away in the evening rush hour, it's just like any big city in the USA, it's heavy but it moves freely.
Unless there's road works, or an accident - just like any other big city in the USA!
Absolutely rent a car to get out of the big city and head to the North Shore or East Side
If you're not driving into Honolulu at rush hour in the morning, or away in the evening rush hour, it's just like any big city in the USA, it's heavy but it moves freely.
Unless there's road works, or an accident - just like any other big city in the USA!
Absolutely rent a car to get out of the big city and head to the North Shore or East Side
Think of it this way.... If you were visiting any similar size city, would you use Public Transit (Bus and/or Subway)? If so, try DaBus. Just remember, that's what it is: Public Transportation, not tourist transportation.
It will be cheaper, take longer, and you may end up somewhere other than where you were trying to go to.
Everything is a trade off. If you think you will spend most of your time within walking distance of your hotel, try DaBus to Pearl Harbor and see how it goes.
But if you plan on circling the island and visiting North Shore, Makapuu, Pali Lookout, etc, rent a car.
May 3, 2015, 5:19 pm
#8
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Honolulu, Hawaii
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 97
Besides TheBus, there are many tour agencies giving local tours. Check with your hotel's concierge desk. I've never tried any of them, but I heard Discover Hawaii Tour is pretty good for attractions and Oahu Nature Tours if you are more adventurous.
Let us know what you plan will be and I can tell you if it's doable using TheBus.
Let us know what you plan will be and I can tell you if it's doable using TheBus.
May 3, 2015, 8:14 pm
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Honolulu, Hawaiʻi [+MKK4 EBBER R577 EDSEL R577 ELKEY EXERT]
Posts: 15,826
TheBus is adequate. Beware of luggage restrictions, though. And consider whether you're better off spending the extra cash for a car rental, or at least the cash on daily car rentals out of Waikiki, so you can save on parking. Sometimes time = money and the cash you save by taking TheBus just results in less time you could be on the beach or seeing something else great on this island.
May 4, 2015, 10:45 am
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 33
Thanks all for the advice and insight!
We're only going to be in Honolulu a couple days, mainly just to see Pearl Harbor. My grand plan is:
Day 1: Fly in
Day 2: Recuperate from the flight, probably hit the beach
Day 3: Pearl Harbor
Day 4: Fly to the Big Island where we'll spend the rest of our vacation
I haven't settled on our Honolulu hotel yet and maybe it's location will need to play into the decision as well.
We're only going to be in Honolulu a couple days, mainly just to see Pearl Harbor. My grand plan is:
Day 1: Fly in
Day 2: Recuperate from the flight, probably hit the beach
Day 3: Pearl Harbor
Day 4: Fly to the Big Island where we'll spend the rest of our vacation
I haven't settled on our Honolulu hotel yet and maybe it's location will need to play into the decision as well.
May 4, 2015, 11:07 am
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist, Ambassador: World of Hyatt
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: NJ
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Fairmont Lifetime Plat, UA Silver, dirt elsewhere
Posts: 46,919
If that's all you're planning to do, you may be better off staying in Ko'Olina, which is west of the airport. There's a Marriott & Disney Aulani and you'll be pretty much out of the heavy traffic zone.
You can take a taxi from the airport, take a tour to Pearl Harbor that picks you up at the hotel, and then another taxi back to the airport.
Renting a car and staying at that location is much easier than having to go into Waikiki and risking hitting some of that rush hour traffic. Which, for me, coming from NY/NJ, is child's play
You can take a taxi from the airport, take a tour to Pearl Harbor that picks you up at the hotel, and then another taxi back to the airport.
Renting a car and staying at that location is much easier than having to go into Waikiki and risking hitting some of that rush hour traffic. Which, for me, coming from NY/NJ, is child's play
May 4, 2015, 12:35 pm
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist, Ambassador: World of Hyatt
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: NJ
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Fairmont Lifetime Plat, UA Silver, dirt elsewhere
Posts: 46,919
I can't honestly say that I"ve ever paid attention. I do know there are plenty of taxis at the stand.
YOu can pre-arrange for the type of taxi you want. I think Charley's Taxi may have minivans.
But for a couple of days, and if you stay in Ko'Olina, I would just rent a car.
YOu can pre-arrange for the type of taxi you want. I think Charley's Taxi may have minivans.
But for a couple of days, and if you stay in Ko'Olina, I would just rent a car.
May 7, 2015, 1:22 am
#15
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Honolulu, Hawaii
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 97
There are taxi vans available that will fit 6. Let the dispatcher know. There are usually 3 to 5 cabs waiting at arrivals area plus literally a hundred of them on Rodgers Blvd and Aolele Street waiting for their turn. You may have to stand aside if you don't see in sight.
Or you can use SpeediShuttle (http://www.speedishuttle.com/), pickup at the closest median from arrivals area.
Or if you only have carry-ons and staying in Waikiki, take TheBus routes 19 or 20 from departure level. Make sure destination sign says "Waikiki Beach and Hoels". $2.50 per person, trip time about 1 hour.
Or you can use SpeediShuttle (http://www.speedishuttle.com/), pickup at the closest median from arrivals area.
Or if you only have carry-ons and staying in Waikiki, take TheBus routes 19 or 20 from departure level. Make sure destination sign says "Waikiki Beach and Hoels". $2.50 per person, trip time about 1 hour.