We gonna stay in a hotel Waikiki for one week vacation. Which transportation is the best to get around for 11 of us? rent a van? shuttle ? or city bus? We have kids from 5 years old to teenagers.
2006-07-07 18:34:11 · 12 answers · asked by lien 1 in Travel ➔ United States ➔ Honolulu
Well, it depends on what you plan to do. If this is primarily a relax-in-the-sun vacation, then skip the van but if any of the following side trips sound tempting, rent a van. Do not depend on the city bus:
~ Start going north eastward and visit Diamond Head.
~ Keep going, and stop at a park to see "Chinaman's hat" (not my words, that's what it's called.
~ Keep going and see all sorts of interesting sights as you head north on the Island of Ohau.
~ Stop at my favorite sarong shop on the north coast. You'll know it right away because of all the colorful sarongs they have flapping in the breeze. They have kids - Plus Sized. Buy one or more!!!
~ Start looking for the Bonzai Pipeline where you see the type of surfing on the intro to Hawaii 5-0 (if you're as old as me & remember the show :) . World-class surfing.
~ Have a picnic on the beach or at a local park.
~ DO NOT MISS the sunset at Sunset Beach -- thus the name. You may cry. Even the kids will pause.
~ Keep going around the island where it gets wilder-looking. See all the Pineapple Planations. (Dole is omnipresent).
~ Stop at a Macadamia nut farm.
~ Come back another day and this time go west, young person, to Pearl Harbor. You know you'll want to see the memorial. This is great history for the kids. The exhibit is 1st class.
~ Check out Honolulu. Great little city. The kids will like the aquarium there.
Soooo.... yes, get the van and have a real Hawaiin vacation!!!
2006-07-07 18:44:51 · answer #1 · answered by Wondering 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Definitely rent a van. With that many people, the bus will be way too much of a hassle. The Hawaii bus system is really good, but it is so extensive it is often hard to figure out how to get where you want to go. Also, it's about $2 per person per ride, so that will add up fast. If you are going on tours then they will usually pick you up from Waikiki, but the tours are overpriced and if you have a rental than you can do most stuff on your own for free. Get a guide book.
I don't think Waikiki - or Hawaii - is very dangerous. I have spent a lot of time in Waikiki and have never had any problems. In general, do not carry lots of cash with you when you are traveling, and hold on to your belongings closely. Pickpockets lurk where ever there are tourists. Theft is the biggest problem on the island, but not too much violence. Watch out for your rental car, as they get broken into often. Do not leave anything in it.
2006-07-09 11:10:07 · answer #2 · answered by pan.daili 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Airport shuttles are available to take you to your hotel/condo in Waikiki. If you are staying outside Waikiki in a vacation rental you could take The Bus or taxis to your rental, but a van would be more convenient.
If you are staying in Waikiki, you'll find that Waikiki is a small enough area that you can get around it by walking. You can certainly find enough to do in Waikiki and won't need to leave it for anything except the return flight.
You would be missing a lot by spending all of your time in Waikiki, because there is a lot to see on the rest of Oahu. Spend some time outside of Waikiki, by whatever method you choose, and get a broader perspective of the island.
Many/most activities and attractions provide transportation from Waikiki hotels. There are also several excellent bus tours to see the island, if you don't want to drive.
The Bus provides excellent service and you can get pretty much anywhere on Oahu by The Bus. It is inexpensive. Their web site has directions to get from Waikiki to all the major attractions by The Bus.
The decision to rent will depend on where you want to go, how often you'll want to have your own transportation and whether you prefer to handle your own transportation or prefer to relax and be driven. It is largely a matter of personal preference.
It is also a matter of budget. Besides the rental charges, there are taxes and fees, gas costs more in Hawaii, parking is very expensive in Waikiki and Honolulu, and parking two vehicles would be twice as bad.
Only Enterprise offers 11 passenger vans on Oahu. Other rental companies have only 7 passenger vans. If you decide to rent, you could get two vans, or one van and a 4 door compact.
A good option might be to rent a van or minivan and car for one or two days and do your pickup and drop off right in Waikiki. There is no need to rent for the whole time.
Your travel agent should be able to assist you with planning your tours and activities based on your families unique needs and preferences, and should be able to determine the best ground transportation mix. If (s)he can't, or if you don't have one, you may contact me at info@AffordableHawaiiTravel.com
2006-07-08 13:30:05 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. The island isn't that big and 11 people is a real pain in the butt. I say renting a van, a maxi van is probably your best bet. Stay together in a big group if you can at most times. The island is not that big so it is pretty easy to navigate even with a pedi-cab. LOL!
I want to warn all of you that are going there, please, PLEASE, listen to me. Per capita, Waikiki has the worst crime rate in the whole nation. I know from personal experience. Do not have your money in your purse ladies because it will probably be ripped off your arm in the International Marketplace. That is a very crime ridden spot. I was even victimized by Hotel Security at Waikiki Towers. Someone with no forced entry, came in our room, and stole our hidden cash. They threw our travelers checks all over the room. We were on the 13th floor. It was the first day we arrived. There is a syndicate with hotel employees and organized crime. They have the cards you swipe now, so it is a bit safer. A security guard entered my room while I was taking a shower and I literally had to fight him off. He grabbed me by the back of my hair and told me I had to suck his dick. I started screaming, kicked him in the nards and he took off running. I reported it and picked him right out of a lineup and they told me he wasn't working that night. They were liars. I was only 18 at the time and it was quite scary. Please, be careful because the only money or valuables the thieves on that relatively small piece of land can get is yours. Especially when you first arrive. That is when they know you are loaded. BEWARE. Have fun but beware!!!!!!
2006-07-08 02:23:22 · answer #4 · answered by sherijgriggs 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. Do NOT rent a van.
Most hotels offer shuttles to the more touristy locations. Many sites you will want to visit will be within walking distance of your hotel.
Taxis are expensive, but many times you can find a 'tour' bus for a very reasonable cost.
Aloha!
2006-07-08 04:34:29 · answer #5 · answered by Temple 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We just use the bus or cabs when we go there. We walked to most places. You might want to rent a van for one day to go see Pearl Harbor or see if you can get a group rate from a tour company
2006-07-09 14:28:08 · answer #6 · answered by kadel 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would say at least rent the largest van, and a car. The city bus costs 2.00 per person, so if there are sooo many of you, I would rent to vehicles, a van, and a car.
2006-07-08 20:08:58 · answer #7 · answered by gloria381948 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no way, everything is pretty much within walking distance and if you need to go somewhere far, the bus only costs like a dollar and you can get a little slip from them to transfer buses. i went there last year, was awesome untill i ended up where all the bums were lol.
2006-07-08 01:38:07 · answer #8 · answered by b w 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes by all means rent a van,or a school bus LOL....
2006-07-08 01:53:22 · answer #9 · answered by olive h 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would rent 2 then you all will have a ride
2006-07-08 01:39:22 · answer #10 · answered by Darrell . 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋