Key takeaways
- These 15 stops combine easy transfers, big sights, and food finds without a car.
- Use your HOLO day cap and check real time arrivals on HEA before you move to the next stop.
- Airport to Waikiki now has the new W Line Zoom bus linking the Lelepaua Airport Skyline Station with Downtown, Ala Moana, and Waikiki.
- Pair this list with our pillar guide, HOLO how to, and Airport to Waikiki comparison for the smoothest day.
Quick interlinks:
Pillar: O‘ahu by Bus • HOLO Card for Visitors • Airport to Waikiki… bus vs rideshare
Niko’s Note 🐾 Screenshot your route page before you go underground in malls or museums so you can keep moving even if service blips.
How we picked these stops
We focused on places that are simple to reach on TheBus using all‑day routes with frequent service, plus a few scenic one‑seat rides. Each listing includes a short “why,” the useful routes, and an official link so you can verify hours or any special rules.
Use HEA live arrivals at hea.thebus.org and the system map PDF to plan connections. For route pages and timetables, start at Routes and Timetables.
The list
1) Ala Moana Center — Kona Street bus bays
Why get off: Biggest transfer hub on the island with food courts, restrooms, and shade. Perfect reset point between town, Windward, and North Shore routes.
Useful routes: Many, including 2, 8, 13, 42, 60, 67 and more. See the official System Map and Routes and Timetables.
Tip: Use Kona Street side for most intercity departures.
2) Kapi‘olani Park and Honolulu Zoo
Why get off: Green space, shade, and quick access to the Honolulu Zoo and Waikiki shoreline.
Useful routes: From Waikiki, board on Kalākaua, Monsarrat, or Kuhio. Visitor guide lists options on this page.
Plan your visit: Honolulu Zoo.
3) Chinatown and Arts District — Hotel Street mall
Why get off: Markets, lei stands, galleries, and historic architecture.
Useful routes: Multiple lines serve Hotel Street. See TheBus Visitor Guide for where to board in Waikiki and which lines run Downtown.
Nearby: Aloha Tower and HPU at Aloha Tower Marketplace.
4) ‘Iolani Palace and Capitol District
Why get off: Hawaii’s royal palace, Kamehameha statue, State Capitol, and mission houses in one compact walk.
Useful routes: 2, 2L, 13, 20, 42, E reach this district from Waikiki per Visitor Guide.
Plan your visit: ‘Iolani Palace official directions.
5) Honolulu Museum of Art (HoMA)
Why get off: A world class collection, cool courtyards, and a great café.
Useful routes: Route 2 along South Beretania and King. See Visitor Guide and Moovit stop details.
Plan your visit: HoMA hours and info.
6) Bishop Museum — Kalihi
Why get off: Deep dive into Hawai‘i science and culture exhibits.
Useful routes: Route 2 from Waikiki per Visitor Guide.
Plan your visit: Bishop Museum.
7) Pearl Harbor Visitor Center — Arizona Memorial
Why get off: One of the most important places on O‘ahu. Visitor center, USS Arizona Memorial programs, and other historic sites.
Useful routes: Route 20 and 42 serve the area, with 20 trips entering the Arizona Memorial lot except certain holidays per the Route 20 timetable PDF.
Plan your visit: NPS Pearl Harbor info and Historic Sites overview.
8) Lelepaua Airport Skyline Station — W Line Airport to Waikiki
Why get off: Fast Zoom bus to Downtown, Ala Moana, and Waikiki with an easy transfer to Skyline for points west.
Useful routes: W Line Airport–Waikiki replaces Route 20. See Routes and Timetables notice and HNL Airport “The Bus and Skyline” page for span and headways.
Tip: If you arrive late, Route 42 also serves the airport at night per the airport page above.
9) Koko Marina Center — Koko Head area
Why get off: Snacks and restrooms before tackling Koko Head Crater Stairs or the coast walk.
Useful routes: 23 and 1L stop within a short walk. See Moovit Koko Head info.
Note: Expect a 10 to 20 minute walk from the nearest stops to the trailhead.
10) Sea Life Park — Makapu‘u coastline
Why get off: Coastal views toward Rabbit Island and a short walk or rideshare to the Makapu‘u Lighthouse Trail trailhead.
Useful routes: 23 Waikiki–Sea Life Park per Route 23 timetable and map.
Plan your visit: Sea Life Park tickets and hours.
11) Kapi‘olani Community College — Diamond Head side
Why get off: KCC Farmers’ Market on select mornings and access to the outside of Diamond Head State Monument area.
Useful routes: 2 and 200 serve this side of the park per Visitor Guide.
Tip: The crater interior has limited access. Check Hawai‘i State Parks for rules and hours.
12) Kailua Town — Gateway to Kailua Beach
Why get off: Stock up in town, then take a short shuttle or walk to the beach.
Useful routes: 67 Honolulu–Kailua–Waimānalo per Route 67 timetable. Local shuttle 671 Kailua–Lanikai per Route 671 page.
Beach stop reference: Moovit Kailua Beach Park page.
13) Byodo‑In Temple — Valley of the Temples
Why get off: Serene gardens and a scale replica of Japan’s Byodo‑In.
Useful routes: Route 65 from Windward Mall toward Kaneohe, then a 15 to 20 minute walk to the temple grounds per TheBus Visitor Guide and the Route 65 PDF.
Plan your visit: Byodo‑In Temple.
14) Hale‘iwa Town — Weed Circle
Why get off: Food trucks, surf shops, and the gateway to North Shore beaches.
Useful routes: 60 Honolulu–Kaneohe–Hale‘iwa per Route 60 timetable and Moovit route view.
Live arrivals: Check the HEA stop for Weed Circle area.
15) Waimea Bay Beach Park
Why get off: One of O‘ahu’s iconic beaches with winter surf and summer swim days.
Useful routes: 60 and 88A stop nearby at Kamehameha Hwy and Waimea Valley Road per Moovit stop details.
Know before you go: Facilities and crowding change with surf conditions. Use lifeguarded areas when posted.
Bonus: Kualoa Regional Park for Kualoa Ranch
If you are booked for a Kualoa Ranch tour, the most affordable public option is Route 60 along Kamehameha Highway. Get off at Kualoa Regional Park and walk across to the ranch entrance.
Official directions: Kualoa Ranch “Contact and Directions”.
Live arrivals near the park: HEA stop 2457.
Route reference: Route 60 PDF and Visitor Guide note.
Niko’s Note: North Shore rides are long. Bring water, sun protection, and a snack. Use the day cap on HOLO to hop off without stressing the budget.
Tools you will use during the day
- HEA real time arrivals: hea.thebus.org
- Routes and Timetables index: thebus.org/route/routes.asp
- System map PDF: SystemMap20240814.pdf
- Airport W Line info and late night 42: HNL Airport page
Interlinks to keep readers moving
- Hub: O‘ahu Hub
- Pillar: O‘ahu by Bus 2025 Guide… routes, times, HOLO tips
- Related: HOLO Card for Visitors… where to buy, how to top up
- Related: Honolulu Airport to Waikiki… bus vs rideshare
- Related: North Shore by Bus… realistic day plan
FAQ
Do I need reservations for Pearl Harbor?
Yes. USS Arizona Memorial programs are free but require a timed reservation through recreation.gov linked via NPS.
Is there a direct bus to Diamond Head crater interior?
No. Use stops around Kapi‘olani Park or KCC and walk. Check Hawai‘i State Parks for current access instructions.
What is the current Waikiki to Airport bus?
The W Line Airport–Waikiki Zoom bus replaced Route 20 in October 2025. See the official Routes and Timetables notice and the airport’s The Bus and Skyline page.
Can I reach Kailua Beach without a car?
Yes. Take 67 to Kailua Town, then transfer to 671 for Lanikai and the beach area per the 671 route page and Moovit beach page.
Sources and official references
- TheBus Routes and Timetables index and System Map PDF
- HNL Airport The Bus and Skyline
- TheBus route PDFs: 20 Waikiki–Aloha Stadium, 23 East O‘ahu, 60 Honolulu–Kaneohe–Hale‘iwa, 65 Waimanalo–Kaneohe, 67 Honolulu–Kailua–Waimānalo, 671 Kailua–Lanikai
- Visitor attractions: ‘Iolani Palace, Honolulu Museum of Art, Bishop Museum, Sea Life Park, NPS Pearl Harbor
- Live arrivals: HEA website
