Do we need to rent a car in Honolulu?

Question

Hi,

We are going to Oahu on May end.
Do I need to rent a car in oahu?
I will be staying at wikiki and no plans to go very far, may be pearl harbor and things like that. Not a big fan of beaches because of sun allergy, nearby beaches will work fine for me.
I have heard that oahu bus system is pretty good, but wastes a lots of time. and what about parking during long weekend. Are parking at attractions like pearl harbor, water park etc. also paid?
what about renting a car for part of the trip?

Thanks in advance

Answer 1

You do not need a car in Waikiki. The beaches, shopping and restaurants are within walking distance. You can schedule any tour, including Pearl Harbor, Circle Island tours and the waterpark that will pick you up at your hotel and bring you back.

The bus system is great here. If you don't mind the stops along the way, then it is the cheapest way to get around the island. Alot of people use the bus system to tour the islands.

A car works best for people who would rather do things at their own pace/on their own schedules or not have to travel along with other people. If you got a car, you would park at the hotel - they usually have parking for a daily fee. Sundays & holiday parking is free on the street. Arizona and the waterpark parking are free. Note: The waterpark is on the opposite side of the island, so you will need directions for that, if you don't take their transportation.

Answer 2

No, you don't need to rent a car if you are on Oahu. The bus system is good enough to travel to many place of interest, including Pearl Harbor. You may purchase a 4 day pass which entitle you to unlimited ride on 4 consecretive days. Check out www.thebus.org for details.

If you really like, just rent a car for a day or 2 for traveling round the island, or to get to places that bus not reach (such as Diamond Head - it is a long way up the mountain if you have no car).

Punchbowl National Cemetery is another place that need a car to get to. It has great city view from the top. It isn't just a cemetery, it has historical background to it.

So, rent a car to hit a few places together. Otherwise, just take the bus.

Yes, it can get a long wait for the bus sometimes. Special Weekend & State Holidays.

Answer 3

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Do we need to rent a car in Honolulu?
Hi,

We are going to Oahu on May end.
Do I need to rent a car in oahu?
I will be staying at wikiki and no plans to go very far, may be pearl harbor and things like that. Not a big fan of beaches because of sun allergy, nearby beaches will work fine for me.
I have heard that oahu bus system is...

Answer 4

House to the State Capitol, Honolulu may be the lively epicentre of Hawaii and an area worth visit, like you will dsicover with hotelbye . In Honolulu you'll find every thing from historic landmarks and treasured monuments to world-class shopping and a flourishing arts and tradition scene. Home to nearly all Oahu's population, the vast town of Honolulu develops through the south-eastern shores of Oahu, from Pearl Harbor to Makapuu Point, encompassing world famous Waikiki. Pearl Harbor is certainly one of Honolulu's greatest tourist attractions. Though it is home to the Navy's Pacific Fleet, guests can take a visit to see the USS Arizona Memorial, and the USS Missouri.

Answer 5

If you are going to go to the major attractions such as Pearl Harbor, there is usually a shuttle bus from the major hotels for a nominal charge. However, if you are planning to go places such as Hanauma Bay and the water park, I would suggest you rent a car. I notice that you mention a sun allergy.......there is very little shade at places like the water park, just fyi.

Honolulu has one of the best bus systems and you can access it quite easily from Waikiki to the majority of the major tourist attractions like Pearl Harbor and Hanauma Bay but like any bus system, it will take some take to get from place to place so be warned. You can check out information for our bus system as www.thebus.org.

As a lifelong user of The Bus, I can give you more information on which exact routes you need if you give me information about where you want to go since thebus.org doesn't have a working trip planner at the moment. You can also check with your concierge at your hotel when you get here and they should be able to tell you general information about where you can catch the bus and which direction/number you need to be on.

My recommendation for a car......if you're planning to stay around Waikiki for the majority or your time here, I would sugguest you use the bus system and the various hotel shuttles for the major attractions. If you want to be unemcumbered by the bus/shuttle schedules, I would rent a car. You will be able to pick up a car in Waikiki at most major companies if you get to Waikiki and decide to pick up a car for a day or two (however, the price will be higher than if you pick it up at the airport).

Be aware though that parking in Waikiki is not cheap, so be prepared to pay daily rates to park your rental car in your hotel's lot.

Good luck and have a great trip!

Answer 6

You are going to have a FABULOUS time! We didn't rent a car and it was no problem, there are plenty of cabs and shuttle buses there. We took a shuttle from the hotel to pearl harbor, and that way, avoided having to deal with the parking issues. If you were planning on traveling further (perhaps an hour or so away), then you might want to rent a car for a day.....

Answer 7

If you are just going to stay in the Waikiki, Honolulu area, you don't need a car.

Check out the free music and hula shows at the hotel pools in the area, and the hula dancers up and down the main drag in the evenings. Walk all the way down to the zoo, and you will see lots of interesting things on the way.

If you want to go to a luau, they provide free chartered bus rides to and from your hotel, so you can drink at the party to your heart's content.

Ask the concierge at your hotel for information about shuttles to Pearl Harbor. Arrange to go as early as possible, as the lines get long. Last I saw, there were some shuttle rides for about $7, but that was 5 years ago.

Also, take the free ride to Hilo Hattie's. You will see these trollies all over in Waikiki, taking on passengers at various hotels. If you go to the Kodak hula show at Kapiolani Park
in the morning, there will be greeters for Hilo Hatties waiting for you afterward with shell leis, and offers of free rides.

Take the ride, and do a bit of shopping. There is a nice restaurant (Sam Choy's) within a block of Hilo Hattie's that makes the BEST teriyaki beef.

After lunch, get back on the free bus ride over at Hilo Hattie's, and get off at the Ala Moana Shopping Center for higher end shopping fun.

You can get the free bus ride back to your hotel from there. Keep your shell lei as proof that you used it to get there, and don't tear off the little paper tag. Just find out from the driver where to meet it and the time schedule. I do this whenever I visit, even though I always rent a car. Why drive if there is a free ride? :-)

HOWEVER, without renting a car, at least for one day, you are going to miss out on the most beautiful parts of Oahu. Go during the work week.

You need to drive east, over to see the blow hole (free), and Sea Life Park. Drive north from there to Kailua and see the Byodo In Buddhist Temple (free) ring the bell for good luck, and feed the carp.

From there, drive north along the shoreline past the Polynesian Cultural Center.

The beaches here have shaded areas that you can sit in to watch the waves for a few minutes. They also have restroom facilities, but bring some tissues in case they are out. During the work week, the beaches are pretty much deserted. Crowded on the weekends.

Further north, then west to the North Shore for shaved ice.

Back south, and up over the Pali, and stop at the lookout (free). Don't leave any valuables in the car, but walk up to the lookout and lean into the wind. It will hold you up.

Take a scenic walk down the old paved Pali highway that is now overgrown with trees and plants and take in some really spectacular views from there. Then back to your car and back into Honolulu.

If you don't go into the Polynesian Cultural Center, or Sea Life Park, you can do all the above in a day and be back in time for dinner. Otherwise, plan 2 or 3 days.

Answer 8

The buses around Oahu are great and also very inexpensive. Based on what you have said I don't think you would need a car, but if you do you could just get one for a day and do everything in one day. I went to Oahu for a week, and didn't get a car.

Answer 9

I just got back from Hawaii (actually Kauai) but I thought it was nice to have a rental b/c of the freedom. I was on my own schedule, didnt have to follow a bus schedule and the grocery store wasnt within driving distance from my condo. Besides rentals are cheap! So I think its worth it

Answer 10

I live ion Maui. Oahu is very busy, and there are lots of things close by. There are lots of skyscrapers and stores..VERY busy compared to Maui. But it can get hot there, and I suggest you get a car, but there are LOTS of buses. If you are more into sight-seeing, I suggest Maui. Maui is very beautiful. But, Oahu is my favorite island because there is so much going on compared to here. it is definitely good for city lovers.