Honolulu (Hawaii) Travel Guide

Waikiki Beach with Diamond Head in the distance, Honolulu — Waikiki Beach and Diamond Head · Photo: Frank Schulenburg / CC BY-SA 4.0

The main city on Oahu, with Waikiki Beach, Diamond Head and Pearl Harbor all close by. Warm all year and a favorite for honeymoons and family trips, it is also easy to drive around the island to the North Shore and the east-coast beaches.

Find flights

Korean MOFA travel advisory: no advisory · some areas have alerts

Elsewhere in the country: Level 1 (exercise caution) — some regions: L1 (caution): all areas except Hawaii / Hawaii: no advisory

Checked Oct 26, 2026 · Details ↗ This is the Korean government’s advisory — also check your own government’s travel advice.

Plan your Honolulu (Hawaii) trip

Find stays Tours & tickets Local mode

We never take payment — compare, then book on the official partner site.

On this page

Seoul Incheon → Honolulu (Hawaii) flights →

At a glance

Currency: USD ($)
Power & plugs: 120V · Type A/B
Driving side: Right
Tipping: Expected (usually 15–20%)
Local language: English
How long to stay: 5 to 6 days

Emergency numbers

Police911
Ambulance911
Fire911

When to go

Warm all year, so any time works. April-May and September-October are quieter with pleasant weather. From November to March, big waves hit the North Shore and there is a little more rain. Holidays, summer break and year-end push up flight and hotel prices.

Monthly climate normals

Warmest: Aug (avg high 31.6°C) · Coolest: Jan (avg low 19.3°C) · Wettest: Mar (59.9 mm)

	High °C	Low °C	Rain mm
Jan	26.9°	19.3°	46.7
Feb	26.9°	19.5°	49.3
Mar	27.3°	20.1°	59.9
Apr	28.4°	21.2°	19.6
May	29.3°	21.9°	20.8
Jun	30.5°	23.2°	12.7
Jul	31.2°	23.9°	13.2
Aug	31.6°	24.2°	21.3
Sep	31.3°	23.8°	22.4
Oct	30.5°	23.3°	38.4
Nov	28.9°	22.1°	57.2
Dec	27.7°	20.7°	55.4

Monthly averages of daily highs and lows, and average monthly rainfall. Any given year can differ.

Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), U.S. Climate Normals · Honolulu International Airport station · 1991–2020 normals —View source

Airport to the city

Taxi or ride-hailing

The easiest way from Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) to Waikiki. Ride-hailing uses the airport's designated pickup areas.

Time about 25-40 min to Waikiki, depending on trafficCost varies by traffic and app (check official)

Shared airport shuttle

A shared shuttle that drops off at Waikiki hotels. Cheaper than a taxi if you travel alone.

Time about 40-60 min to WaikikiCost varies by operator (check official)

City bus

The cheapest option. A city bus line runs from the airport to Waikiki; each rider may bring one medium suitcase plus one small bag that fit on your lap or under the seat. You can also take Skyline rail from the airport station and transfer to a bus.

Time about 1 hour to WaikikiCost about US$3

Getting around

City bus

Covers most of the island, including Waikiki, Ala Moana and downtown. With a HOLO card a daily fare cap keeps costs down, and the same card works on Skyline rail, which links the airport and Pearl Harbor area (a HOLO card is required for Skyline). Skyline does not reach Waikiki, so transfer to a bus.

Rental car

Best for far-off spots like the North Shore and the east coast. Waikiki hotel parking is expensive, so rent only for the days you need.

Ride-hailing and taxis

Handy for evenings and short trips. Apps show the fare upfront.

Walking and bike share

Waikiki is very walkable, and bike-share stations make it easy to ride along the beach.

Where to stay

Waikiki

Good for: First visit, beach, shopping, dining

Hotels, restaurants and shops line the beach, so you can manage without a car. The busiest and priciest area.

Ala Moana

Good for: Shopping, families, a calmer beach

Home to a big mall and a beach park, right next to Waikiki and a short bus ride away.

Ko Olina (west)

Good for: Resort stays, families

Large resorts around calm man-made lagoons. Quiet, but 40+ minutes by car to the city.

Kailua (east)

Good for: Quiet beaches, local feel

An east-side town with beautiful white-sand beaches and few hotels, about 30 minutes by car from Waikiki.

North Shore

Good for: Watching surfers, laid-back towns

Famous for big winter waves. Usually a day trip by rental car.

Map of stays in Honolulu (Hawaii)

Compare prices from many booking sites on the map

Search stays in Honolulu (Hawaii) in the app

Map & prices: Stay22 — you book on each site

Top sights

Waikiki Beach
Honolulu's signature beach, with fairly gentle waves for swimming and surf lessons. Beautiful at sunset.
Diamond Head
A short hike up to the rim of an old crater with views over Waikiki. Non-resident visitors need an advance reservation, so book on the state park's official site. Go early to beat the heat.
Hanauma Bay
A snorkeling spot full of coral and fish. It is closed every Monday and Tuesday and requires reservations and fees, so check official information first. Do not step on or touch the coral.
Hanauma Bay, Oahu · Photo: Qyd / CC BY-SA 3.0
Pearl Harbor National Memorial
Remembers the attack that brought the Pacific War to the US. The USS Arizona Memorial boat program needs an online reservation (standby otherwise), and bags are restricted, so check official information.
Pearl Harbor National Memorial · Photo: U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class John Wallace Ciccarelli Jr. / Public domain
North Shore
Big waves and surf contests in winter, calm water in summer. Stay out of the water when waves are high.
Kailua Beach
An east-side beach known for white sand and clear water. Great for kayaking and paddleboarding.
Iolani Palace
The palace of the Hawaiian Kingdom, a rare royal palace on US soil. Tours run Tuesday to Saturday at set times and formats, so book ahead.
ʻIolani Palace, Honolulu · Photo: Don Ramey Logan / CC BY-SA 3.0
Makapuu Lighthouse Trail
A paved trail along sea cliffs at the island's eastern tip. There is almost no shade, so bring water and a hat. Whales can be seen in winter.

Tours & tickets →

What to eat

Poke

Cubed raw fish tossed with soy sauce and sesame oil, Hawaii's signature dish. Poke bowls over rice are a favorite.

Loco moco

Rice topped with a hamburger patty, a fried egg and gravy — a hearty meal.

Spam musubi

Grilled Spam wrapped with rice and seaweed, easy to find even at convenience stores.

Shave ice

Finely shaved ice with fruit syrups, perfect on a hot day.

Malasadas

Sugar-coated Portuguese-style doughnuts, best eaten fresh.

Daily budget (per person)

Budgetabout US$150 per day: hostel, food courts, bus

Mid-rangeabout US$300-400 per day: Waikiki hotel, restaurants, one tour

Comfortabout US$700+ per day: resort, rental car, private tours

Amounts are rough figures in local currency. Check exchange rates before you go.

Suggested itinerary

Day 1
Airport to Waikiki, check in, a walk on Waikiki Beach and the sunset.
Day 2
Diamond Head early, then Ala Moana Beach Park and shopping, poke for dinner.
Day 3
Pearl Harbor National Memorial, then Iolani Palace downtown (tours Tuesday-Saturday), evening in Waikiki.
Day 4
Drive the east side: Hanauma Bay snorkeling (check reservations; closed Mondays and Tuesdays), Makapuu Lighthouse, Kailua Beach.
Day 5
North Shore beaches and towns, shrimp plates and shave ice, then the airport with time to spare.

Local tips

Entering the US requires prior authorization such as ESTA. Apply only on the official US government site (beware costly agent sites) and check the US Embassy's conditions.
Rip currents can occur. Swim at lifeguarded beaches, check flags and signs, and stay out when waves are high.
Hawaii restricts the sale of sunscreens with certain ingredients harmful to coral. Use reef-friendly sunscreen, and bring a hat and long sleeves for the strong sun.
Sea turtles and monk seals are protected by law. Do not approach or touch them — keep a good distance.
Tipping is normal at restaurants, in taxis and for hotel services (usually 15-20% at restaurants). Check whether it is already on the bill.
Many hotels add resort fees and parking on top of the room rate. Check the total when booking.
Do not leave bags or valuables visible in a rental car; car break-ins happen at scenic parking lots.