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Getting around Waikiki without a car
How to get around Waikiki without a car: walking, TheBus and the W Line from the airport, the Waikiki Trolley, Biki bikes, rideshare and an electric Moke.
By Ohana Mobility
You can get around Waikiki comfortably without a car. The neighborhood is compact and walkable, bounded by the Ala Wai Canal and Diamond Head, so most beaches, restaurants and shops are within walking distance. For anything farther, TheBus covers Waikiki on Kalākaua and Kūhiō Avenues for $3 a ride, the W Line runs from the airport to Waikiki, the Waikiki Trolley’s Pink Line runs to Ala Moana Center every 15 minutes, and Uber and Lyft operate throughout Honolulu. For an open-air day out along the coast, guests at The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Waikiki Beach can also book an electric Moke through the hotel.
On foot
Waikiki runs from the Ala Wai Canal on its western and northern sides to Diamond Head in the east. Kalākaua Avenue follows the beach, and Kūhiō Avenue runs parallel a block inland. Most visitors find they walk more than they expected: to the beach in the morning, to dinner in the evening, and along the shaded path that follows the canal.
TheBus
TheBus is Oʻahu’s public bus system, and it is the most practical way to leave Waikiki without driving. An adult fare is $3, paid with a HOLO card or the HOLO app. Payments cap at $7.50 a day, after which further rides that day are free.
Routes most useful from Waikiki:
- W Line: a limited-stop route between the airport and Waikiki, by way of downtown Honolulu and Ala Moana. It runs from 4:15 a.m. until 2:00 a.m., every 10 minutes at peak times, every 15 minutes off-peak and every 30 minutes after 7:00 p.m.
- Route 8: Waikiki, Ala Moana Center, the Hawaiʻi Convention Center, the Honolulu Zoo and Kapiʻolani Park.
- Route 2: Waikiki, the Honolulu Zoo and the Diamond Head side of town, on to Kahala Mall.
- Route 13: Waikiki to downtown and the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.
- Route 42 and CountryExpress E: Waikiki, Ala Moana and points west toward ʻEwa Beach. Route 42 also passes the airport along Nimitz Highway.
Honolulu’s Skyline rail line does not reach Waikiki. Its extension toward downtown is scheduled to open in 2031.
Waikiki Trolley
The Waikiki Trolley runs open-air hop-on, hop-off lines. The Pink Line between Waikiki and Ala Moana Center is the one most visitors use. It runs every 15 minutes, and a day of unlimited rides costs $6. The Green Line goes to Diamond Head and runs about once an hour. The Blue Line follows the coast east, and the Red Line covers historic Honolulu.
Biki bikeshare
Biki is Honolulu’s docked bikeshare system, with several stations in Waikiki. A single 30-minute ride costs $5. The fleet has shrunk sharply. In April 2026 it was down to 478 bikes, so check the app for bikes before you rely on it.
Rideshare and taxis
Uber and Lyft both operate in Honolulu and pick up at marked rideshare zones at the airport. A ride to Waikiki usually costs $25 to $50, depending on demand, and takes 20 to 30 minutes. A taxi on the same trip typically costs $30 to $35.
An electric Moke for the day
Some days you want more than Waikiki: the drive around Diamond Head, a quiet beach on the east side, lunch somewhere you would never find on a bus map. Guests of The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Waikiki Beach can book an open-air electric Moke through the hotel, so a car is there when you want one and not when you don’t. Ask the concierge about availability during your stay, or see the hotel’s Moke program.
If Diamond Head is on your list, plan ahead. Visitors who are not Hawaiʻi residents need an advance reservation for entry or parking.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a car in Waikiki? No. Waikiki is compact and walkable, and TheBus, the Waikiki Trolley and rideshare cover most trips beyond it. Many visitors only want a car for a day trip around the island.
How do I get from Honolulu airport to Waikiki without a car? The W Line runs between the airport and Waikiki for $3, every 10 to 30 minutes depending on the time of day. Uber, Lyft and taxis also serve the airport, at roughly $25 to $50.
Which bus goes from Waikiki to Ala Moana Center? TheBus Route 8 and the W Line both connect Waikiki and Ala Moana Center for $3. The Waikiki Trolley’s Pink Line also runs there every 15 minutes, with a $6 all-day pass.
Can I get to Diamond Head without a car? Yes. TheBus Route 2 and the Waikiki Trolley’s Green Line both serve the Diamond Head area. Non-residents need an advance reservation to enter Diamond Head State Monument.
Is there a train in Waikiki? Not yet. Honolulu’s Skyline rail line does not reach Waikiki, and its extension toward downtown is scheduled for 2031.