Oahu Hop on Hop off Bus Tours

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

Isabel Catalán

Isabel Catalán

4 min read

Oahu Hop on Hop off Bus Tours

Tourist bus en route around Oahu | ©Eric Fredericks

Seeing the island of Oahu on a tour bus is a good idea because it allows you to discover the main tourist attractions of Waikiki and Honolulu quickly and comfortably seated. Here's what you need to know to get on the tour bus.

The best tour bus in Oahu: Honolulu and Waikiki

Oahu Sightseeing Bus| ©boaski
Oahu Sightseeing Bus| ©boaski

The hop-on, hop-off tour bus is an excellent way to explore Oahu in a short amount of time by taking any of the routes that cover 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 your leisure to explore the city at your own pace, plus you can take all the photos you want from the best angles!

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

Importantly, these tour buses are suitable for all passengers, from babies in pushchairs to people with disabilities who need to use a wheelchair or travel with assistance animals.

Routes and sights 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 sightseeing 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 at your leisure, getting on and off the bus as many times as you want and you can also use it as a means of transport to get around Oahu.

How to book a Waikiki Sightseeing Bus ticket?

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

You can book your Waikiki Sightseeing Bus Pass online in advance. When you complete your booking you will receive a voucher which you can redeem for your pass at any of the tour bus stops in the different areas.

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 one-way ticket and choose your stop, on the Oahu and Waikiki sightseeing bus you pay for days of use, which entitles you to use the ticket as many times as you wish for as long as 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.

Tourist bus route and main stops in Oahu

Tourist bus at one stop| ©Michael Coghlan
Tourist bus at one 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 Mall
  • 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 yo
  • 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 a 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
  • Hotel LaCroix Waikiki
  • Lewers Street
  • Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort
  • Aqua Palms Waikiki
  • Ala Moana Center

Is it worth taking the Waikiki sightseeing bus?

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

Absolutely. You have several different passes to choose from so you can travel the different routes and explore Oahu freely using the tour bus as your mode of transport, hopping on and off at all the stops scattered around the city.

How long is the tour bus ride?

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

Each complete route has a set 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 a stop of your choice at any point along the route to explore an area in detail and then hop back on the tour bus to continue the route to completion.

Does the Oahu tour bus pass through the airport?

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

No, the tour bus does not go through Honolulu airport but if you want to travel there or are looking for transport 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'll pass through downtown Honolulu and Chinatown and see landmarks such as Diamond Head and the Honolulu Zoo where you can stop to explore.

  • How long does a bus tour last?

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

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

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