HOLO Card for Visitors: Where to Buy on Oahu and How to Top Up

Key Takeaways

• A HOLO Card works on TheBus and Skyline. You must have a HOLO Card to ride Skyline. Adult cards are sold at station vending machines and at select retailers.
• Where to buy quickly. Lelepaua Station at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport has HOLO ticket vending machines. In Waikiki, select ABC Stores sell preloaded cards. Many supermarkets and 7‑Eleven locations sell and reload.
• Best value for visitors. Pay as you go with fare capping. Daily cap for adults is $7.50. Popular passes include the 3‑Day Pass and 7‑Day Pass.
• Top up in three ways. Online at holocard.net, at Skyline station vending machines, or at participating retailers. Phone reload is also available.
• Register your card to protect the balance, set Autoload, and see trip history.

Niko’s Note 🐾 Take a photo of the back of your card as soon as you buy it. You will need the serial number if you misplace it.

What Is a HOLO Card

The HOLO Card is O‘ahu’s contactless fare card for TheBus and Skyline. Tap on the bus validator or at the rail faregates to pay. Learn more on the official HOLO site at holocard.net.

Where to Buy a HOLO Card

Fastest for arrivals. Purchase an Adult HOLO Card at Lelepaua Station’s ticket vending machines at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport. See the Airport’s page: airports.hawaii.gov/hnl/the-bus-and-skyline.

Retail options. The official Where to Get a Card page lists who sells and who reloads. ABC Stores sell preloaded HOLO Cards only and do not reload value. Supermarkets like Foodland and Times, and 7‑Eleven locations sell and reload many products. Check details at holocard.net/where-to-buy-a-card.

Transit Pass Office. Reduced fare, Youth, Senior, and Annual Pass services are handled at the Transit Pass Office and Satellite City Halls. See instructions and appointments on the Where to Get a Card page.

Tip Card fee for a new Adult HOLO Card is typically $2. Bring a payment method that matches the location’s rules. Some retail counters take cash only.

How to Top Up or Add a Pass

1) Online. Create an account and add your card at Manage Card on holocard.net. You can add stored value, buy passes, and turn on Autoload.

2) Skyline stations. Use the HOLO vending machines at Skyline stations to add value or buy passes before you tap in. Station amenities are listed at honolulutransit.org/about/stations.

3) Retail reload. Many 7‑Eleven, Foodland, and Times locations can load value and passes. ABC Stores do not reload. Confirm store capabilities on the official list at holocard.net/where-to-buy-a-card.

4) By phone. Call the HOLO Helpline at 808‑768‑4656 during posted hours to reload or get help. Hours are listed on the For Visitors page: holocard.net/for-visitors.

Fare Capping and Pass Options

Fare capping means you stop paying once you hit the cap for the day or month. For adults on TheBus and Skyline:

• Single fare. $3 with 2.5 hours of transfers.
• Day cap. $7.50. Ride the rest of the day free once you reach this amount.
• 3‑Day Pass. $20. Valid 72 hours from first tap.
• 7‑Day Pass. $35. Valid 168 hours from first tap.
• Month cap. $80. Ride free after you reach $80 in a calendar month.

Confirm current fares at TheBus Fares page: thebus.org/Fare/TheBusFares20240701.asp and the City’s DTS Fares page: honolulu.gov/dts/fares-adult.

Good to know You need a HOLO Card to ride Skyline. Cash is accepted on TheBus but does not include a transfer period. See the Airport’s guidance: airports.hawaii.gov/hnl/the-bus-and-skyline.

Step by Step: Buy and Ride in 10 Minutes

1. At the Airport. Follow Skyline signs to Lelepaua Station. Use the vending machine to buy an Adult HOLO Card. Follow the prompts to add value or a pass.
2. Register your card. On your phone, go to Manage Card on holocard.net. Add the card using the serial number on the back.
3. Turn on Autoload. Choose a reload amount so you never get stuck with a zero balance.
4. Tap to ride. Tap in at the Skyline gates or on the validator when boarding TheBus. A green light means you are good to go.
5. Transfers. With HOLO, you get 2.5 hours of transfers automatically. No paper slips needed.

Screenshots to add Vending machine screen. Manage Card page. Autoload settings. Validator tap.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Buying an ABC Stores card and assuming you can reload there. ABC Stores sell preloaded cards only. Reload elsewhere.
• Tapping twice at the rail gate in quick succession. Tap once, walk through, then tap again only when starting a new trip.
• Paying cash for the first ride, then expecting a free transfer to rail. Cash rides do not include transfers. Use HOLO for free transfers within the time window.
• Sitting on an unregistered card. Registering protects your balance if the card is lost.

Troubleshooting

• Card says blocked. Add value online, then tap again. If it stays blocked, call 808‑768‑4656 or visit a vending machine. See holocard.net/help.
• Wrong fare charged. Check your trip history under Manage Card. If you hit the cap, additional taps the same period should be free.
• Lost card. If registered, report it lost and move the balance to a new card. See terms at holocard.net/terms-and-conditions.

Keep Planning

• Pillar: O‘ahu by Bus 2025 Guide
• Airport transfer options: Honolulu Airport to Waikiki… Bus vs Rideshare
• What locals wish visitors knew: Tourist Pitfalls on TheBus

FAQ

Do I need a HOLO Card to ride TheBus No. You can pay cash on TheBus. You will not get free transfers with cash. HOLO includes transfers for 2.5 hours.

Do I need a HOLO Card to ride Skyline Yes. Skyline requires a HOLO Card to enter the faregates.

Where can I buy a card late at night Skyline station vending machines operate during service hours. Lelepaua Station at HNL is the fastest option on arrival. Retail hours vary by store.

Can I share one HOLO Card with my family No. Each rider needs their own card. You can manage multiple cards under one account.

What if ABC Stores is the closest shop Buy a preloaded card there, then reload later at a Skyline station or another retailer. ABC Stores do not reload HOLO.

Sources

• Where to Get a Card and Reload. Official page with store capabilities and ABC Stores note. holocard.net/where-to-buy-a-card
• For Visitors. Getting started, helpline hours, pass language. holocard.net/for-visitors
• How to Ride Skyline. Vending kiosks at stations. honolulu.gov/dts/skyline/how-to-skyline
• Airport rail and bus info. HNL station details and transfer rules. airports.hawaii.gov/hnl/the-bus-and-skyline
• Current fares and caps. TheBus fares, including 3‑Day and 7‑Day Passes. thebus.org/Fare/TheBusFares20240701.asp and the City’s DTS fares page. honolulu.gov/dts/fares-adult