Honolulu is an easy city to visit , English is the primary language, the US dollar is the currency, and you don’t need a passport if you are a US citizen. But island logistics, local customs, and the high cost of everything can trip up first-time visitors. Here are practical answers to the questions travelers ask most.
Honolulu Travel Tips: Getting Here and Around
Which airport serves Honolulu?
Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL), 10 km (6 miles) northwest of Waikiki. It is Hawaii’s main airport, handling 21 million passengers annually. Direct flights from the US mainland include Los Angeles (5.5 hours), San Francisco (5 hours), Seattle (6 hours), Dallas (8 hours), and New York (11 hours). From Asia: Tokyo Narita (8 hours), Seoul Incheon (9 hours), and Sydney (10 hours). Inter-island flights to Maui (OGG), Kauai (LIH), and the Big Island (KOA) take 30 to 45 minutes on Hawaiian Airlines, Southwest, or Mokulele.
How do I get from HNL to Waikiki?
A taxi or ride-share from HNL to Waikiki costs US$40 to US$55 and takes 20 to 40 minutes depending on traffic (the H-1 freeway backs up during rush hour, 7 to 9 AM and 4 to 6 PM). Uber and Lyft pick up from designated areas on the second level. TheBus routes 19 and 20 run from the airport to Waikiki for US$3 (exact change required, or buy a HOLO card at the airport 7-Eleven). The shared van shuttles (Roberts Hawaii, SpeediShuttle) cost about US$16 per person one-way and stop at multiple hotels. Do not rent a car at the airport unless you plan day trips , Waikiki parking is expensive (US$40-65/day at hotels) and traffic is gridlocked during rush hour.
Do I need a rental car in Honolulu?
Not for Waikiki and central Honolulu. TheBus (thebus.org) covers the entire island with fares of US$3 per ride, and a daily cap of US$7.50 on the HOLO card. Waikiki is walkable, and Biki bikeshare stations (bikesharehawaii.org, US$4.50 per 30 minutes or US$15 for a 24-hour pass) let you cruise the beachfront and Ala Moana area. If you plan day trips to the North Shore, Kailua, or Kualoa Ranch, rent a car for those specific days from a Waikiki location (Hertz, Avis, Enterprise all have desks in Waikiki hotels) rather than keeping one for the full trip. Renting from Waikiki also avoids HNL airport fees. One-day rentals start around US$50 to US$70.
Honolulu Travel Tips: Money, Tipping, and Costs
How expensive is Honolulu?
Honolulu is one of the most expensive cities in the United States. A typical daily budget for a mid-range traveler: hotel US$250-400, meals US$60-100 (breakfast US$12-18 at a cafe, lunch US$15-25 at a food truck or plate lunch spot, dinner US$30-60 at a sit-down restaurant), activities US$50-100, transport US$10-20. Budget about US$350-600 per day for two people staying in a mid-range hotel, eating well, and doing one paid activity. You can bring it down by staying at budget hotels (US$100-200), eating at plate lunch spots and food trucks, and sticking to free activities (beaches, hiking, free hula shows).
What’s the tipping standard?
US tipping standards apply: 15 to 20 percent at restaurants with table service, US$1-2 per drink at bars, US$2-5 per day for hotel housekeeping, and US$1-2 per bag for bell staff. Many restaurants in Waikiki automatically add an 18 percent gratuity for parties of 6 or more, and some add it regardless of party size (check the bill before tipping twice). Food trucks and counter-service spots typically have a tip jar , US$1 is appreciated but not required.
Honolulu Travel Tips: Safety and Health
Is Honolulu safe?
Honolulu is generally safe for tourists, with violent crime rates well below the US average. Waikiki is heavily patrolled and safe to walk at night, though petty theft (unattended beach bags, unlocked rental cars) is the most common crime. Avoid leaving valuables on the beach while swimming. The neighborhoods west of downtown around Kalihi and the airport are best explored with local knowledge. Honolulu’s biggest safety risk is the ocean: drowning is the leading cause of visitor death in Hawaii. Lifeguards at Waikiki, Ala Moana, and Hanauma Bay watch for rip currents and changing conditions. Never turn your back on the ocean, obey posted warning signs, and check hawaiibeachsafety.com for daily hazard ratings.
Can I drink the tap water?
Yes. Honolulu’s tap water comes from the same aquifers that supply Oahu’s springs, filtered through volcanic rock for decades. The Board of Water Supply regularly tests it and it meets all federal standards. Bring a reusable bottle , buying bottled water on an island with excellent tap water is both expensive (US$2-4 per bottle at ABC Stores) and environmentally wasteful.
Do I need sunscreen? Which kind?
Yes, and it must be reef-safe. Hawaii banned sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoxate effective January 2021. These chemicals bleach coral reefs, and Honolulu retailers no longer sell them. Look for mineral sunscreens with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. Brands widely available in Waikiki: Raw Elements, All Good, Sun Bum Mineral, and Blue Lizard. Apply SPF 30+ even on cloudy days , Honolulu’s UV index averages 7 to 12 year-round. Reapply every 2 hours and after swimming.
Honolulu Travel Tips: Local Culture and Etiquette
What should I know about Hawaiian culture?
Hawaiian culture is not just a tourist attraction , it is a living culture. A few things to know: do not take lava rocks or sand from beaches (it is illegal and considered disrespectful). Respect heiau (ancient Hawaiian temple sites) by not climbing on the walls or leaving offerings unless you know the correct protocol. When someone puts a lei around your neck, accept it graciously and wear it , do not remove it in their presence. The shaka sign (extended thumb and pinky, three middle fingers curled down) means “hang loose” or “aloha” and is used as a greeting, thank-you, and gesture of goodwill.
What is “Aloha spirit”?
It is not just a slogan. Hawaii law (Hawaii Revised Statutes 5-7.5) actually codifies the Aloha Spirit as the coordination of mind and heart within each person, expressed through five traits: akahai (kindness), lokahi (unity), oluolu (agreeableness), haahaa (humility), and ahonui (patience). In practice: slow down, be patient, treat people with genuine respect, and do not bring mainland urgency to an island that runs on its own clock.
Suggested Hotels in Honolulu
Halekulani
On Waikiki Beach with views straight to Diamond Head, the Halekulani has defined understated Hawaiian luxury since 1917. Three restaurants, a heated pool with a 1.25-million-tile orchid mosaic, and a commitment to serenity rather than spectacle. Best for couples and honeymooners. Check rates and availability
Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort
Sprawling 22-acre beachfront resort with five pools, a saltwater lagoon, 20 restaurants, Friday fireworks, and the widest stretch of sand in Waikiki. The Rainbow Tower ocean-view rooms deliver dramatic views at mid-range prices. Best for families and first-time visitors. Check rates and availability
Waikiki Central Hotel
For more on planning your trip to Honolulu, see our month-by-month weather breakdown, best time to visit guide, things to do in Honolulu, annual events and festivals, neighborhood-by-neighborhood guide, where to stay by area and budget, and complete Honolulu travel guide.
A clean, no-resort-fee hotel 2 minutes from Waikiki Beach with mini-fridges in every room. Steps from the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center and Kuhio Beach. Best for budget travelers who want the Waikiki location without the resort fee surcharge. Check rates and availability
