Oahu Hop on Hop off Bus Tours

Touring Waikiki by tourist bus is a good idea: you will not miss the most emblematic points of the city and you will be able to move around in total comfort, cutting distances and defying the heat.

Isabel Catalán

Isabel Catalán

5 min read

Oahu Hop on Hop off Bus Tours

Tourist bus on route around Oahu | ©Eric Fredericks

Getting to know the island of Oahu riding a tour bus is a good idea because it allows you to discover the main tourist attractions of Waikiki and Honolulu in a quick way while you travel comfortably seated. Here's what you need to know to get on the tour bus.

The best tour bus in Oahu: Honolulu and Waikiki

Tourist bus in Oahu| ©boaski
Tourist bus in Oahu| ©boaski

The free-stop tour bus is an excellent option to explore Oahu in a short time by taking any of the routes that cover the different areas of the island.

With the Hop-on Hop-off system you can make your own itinerary around the city and hop on and off at different places to explore it at your own pace, plus you can take all the pictures you want from the best angles!

You will travel on a double-decker bus or open-top streetcar to visit the island's most outstanding historical sites, the landscapes that have made it world famous, and to discover its most popular stores and restaurants.

Importantly, these tour buses accommodate all passengers, from infants in strollers to people with disabilities who need to use a wheelchair or travel with assistance animals.

Routes and places of interest to see

**Green / Blue Line - Ocean Diamond Head
**

  • Sandy Beach Park
  • Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve
  • Halona Blowhole
  • Kahala Mall
  • Statue of Duke Kahanamoku
  • Sea Life Park Hawaii

**Red Line - City Art District
**

  • Statue of Duke Kahanamoku
  • Hawaii State Capitol
  • Chinatown
  • King Kamehameha Statue

**Pink Line - Ala Moana Shopping Shuttle
**

  • Ala Moana Center
  • Statue of Duke Kahanamoku

Book the Oahu tour bus


How much does the Waikiki tour bus cost?

Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve| ©Tina Saey
Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve| ©Tina Saey

The price of the tourist bus pass depends on the number of days you choose. The basic 1-day pass for all lines costs 39 euros.

However, depending on the number of days you are going to stay on the island, I recommend selecting a pass that includes more days so you can see the tourist attractions included in the route, getting on and off the bus as many times as you want and you can also use it as a means of transportation to move around Oahu.

How to book a ticket for the Waikiki tour bus?

Sightseeing bus through the streets of Honolulu| ©Mike
Sightseeing bus through the streets of Honolulu| ©Mike

You can book online and in advance your pass for the Waikiki tour bus. When you complete your reservation you will receive a voucher that you can redeem for your pass at any of the stops that the tour buses have in the different zones.

How does the tour bus service work?

Detail of the statue of Duke Kahanamoku| ©Luke H. Gordon
Detail of the statue of Duke Kahanamoku| ©Luke H. Gordon

Unlike regular buses where you usually pay for a ticket that allows you to take a single trip where you choose your stop, on the Oahu and Waikiki tour bus you pay for days of use, which entitles you to use the ticket as many times as you wish during the time you choose.

You can select between a 1, 4 or 7 day pass for all routes with free stops. Your usage time will start counting from the first time you redeem it.

Route and main stops of the tourist bus in Oahu

Tourist bus at a stop| ©Michael Coghlan
Tourist bus at a stop| ©Michael Coghlan

Green / blue line - Ocean Diamond Head

Tourist attractions:

  • Sandy Beach Park
  • Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve
  • Halona Blowhole
  • Kahala Mall
  • Statue of Duke Kahanamoku
  • Sea Life Park Hawaii

Stops:

  • 320 Royal Hawaiian Ave - Across from Waikiki Shopping Plaza
  • Duke Paoa Kahanamoku Statue
  • Diamond Head
  • 4211 Kahala Ave - Kahala Shopping Center
  • Sea Life Park
  • Kapiolani Community College

**Red Line - City Art District.
**
Tourist attractions:

  • Statue of Duke Kahanamoku
  • Hawaii State Capitol
  • Chinatown
  • King Kamehameha Statue

Stops:

  • 320 Royal Hawaiian Ave - Across from Waikiki Shopping Plaza
  • Duke Paoa Kahanamoku Statue
  • Aston Waikiki Beach Hotel
  • Ward Entertainment Center
  • Ohana Hale Marketplace - Stops at the surf lookout, inside the Crater I
  • Honolulu Museum of Art -
  • Hawaii Capitol - near Campbell Avenue
  • Izumo Taishakyo Mission of Hawaii
  • Chinatown
  • King Kamehameha Statue
  • SALT At Our Kaka'ako
  • Ward Center
  • Ala Moana Center
  • Ilikai Hotel & Luxury Suites
  • Trump International Hotel Waikiki

**Pink Line - Ala Moana Shopping Shuttle
**
Tourist attractions:

  • Ala Moana Center
  • Statue of Duke Kahanamoku

Stops:

  • Ilikai Hotel & Luxury Suites - This stop does not have the Waikiki Trolley stop sign. Wait in front of the hotel flagpole.
  • Trump International Hotel Waikiki
  • Royal Hawaiian Avenue
  • Duke Paoa Kahanamoku Statue
  • Aston Waikiki Beach Hotel
  • Hilton Waikiki Beach
  • Marukame Udon Waikiki
  • Courtyard by Marriott Waikiki Beach
  • LaCroix Waikiki Hotel
  • Lewers Street
  • Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort
  • Aqua Palms Waikiki
  • Ala Moana Center

Is it worth it to ride the Waikiki tour bus?

King Kamehameha Statue| ©Daniel Ramirez
King Kamehameha Statue| ©Daniel Ramirez

Absolutely. You have several different passes to choose from so you can tour the different routes and explore Oahu freely using the tour bus as a means of transportation, hopping on and off at all the stops scattered throughout the city.

How long is the tour bus ride?

Tourist bus passing by an inflatable structure at the Hawaii State Capitol| ©Daniel Ramirez
Tourist bus passing by an inflatable structure at the Hawaii State Capitol| ©Daniel Ramirez

Each complete route has a specific duration. The Green / Blue line - Ocean Diamond Head lasts 2 hours; the Red line - City Art District lasts 1 hour and the Pink line - Ala Moana Shopping Shuttle lasts 1 hour as well.

However, you can get off at any stop of your choice at any time along the route to explore an area in detail and later re-board the tour bus to continue the route to completion.

Does the Oahu tour bus go through the airport?

Honolulu International Airport| ©Jennifer Boyer
Honolulu International Airport| ©Jennifer Boyer

No, the tour bus does not go through the Honolulu airport, but if you wish to travel there or are looking for a means of transportation to take you to your hotel from the airport, I recommend booking a shared or private transfer in Honolulu.

For more information on this I recommend you take a look at the article Honolulu Airport Transfers.

Frequently asked questions

  • What do you see on a sightseeing bus tour?

    You will pass through downtown Honolulu and Chinatown and see landmarks such as Diamond Head or the Honolulu Zoo where you can stop to explore.

  • How long does a bus tour last?

    It depends on the route you choose and the time you stay on the bus, but the experience usually lasts between 1 and 2 hours.

  • When is the best time to ride a tour bus?

    In the case of Honolulu, it is a good idea to do the tour during the day so that you can enjoy the views at their best.