Flying to Oʻahu soon? Watch this first… the airport connections just changed. Skyline now stops at HNL’s new Lelepaua station and TheBus added a W Line linking the airport and Waikīkī with limited stops. Below is the complete how-to for riding TheBus and Skyline with a HOLO card… plus easy day trips, app tips, and smart etiquette. Accurate as of October 30, 2025.
Watch the full video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/YHnjWGbg54k
Key Takeaways
- Airport rail is live… Skyline now serves Lelepaua Station at HNL. Transfers to TheBus work on the same HOLO system. honolulu.gov
- Route 20 was discontinued… the new W Line connects the airport, Downtown, Ala Moana, and Waikīkī.
- Rapid lines A and U help link Skyline stations to key hubs… plan with live apps before you go. honolulu.gov
- Fares with HOLO… $3 single, day cap $7.50, 3-Day $20, 7-Day $35 at time of writing. Check the official sites for any changes. honolulu.gov
Why This Guide
Our recent Oʻahu videos sparked tons of transit questions… so we turned your comments into a clear, step-by-step. We used TheBus all week on our trip and it worked great… especially paired with Skyline.
HOLO Card… Fares, Caps, and Where to Get It
HOLO is the tap card for both TheBus and Skyline. Load value or passes… ride… and the system caps your fare automatically for the day or month.
- Current prices for adults: $3 single… day cap $7.50… 3-Day $20… 7-Day $35… Month cap $80. honolulu.gov
- Where to get it… Skyline station kiosks, 7-Eleven, Foodland, other partners, or online at HoloCard.net. ABC Stores sell preloaded cards but do not reload. holocard.net
- Pro tip… create an account and enable auto-reload so you never get stuck between transfers. holocard.net
Skyline At The Airport… Lelepaua Station
The Lelepaua station is integrated with the airport via walkways and wayfinding… you can buy or reload HOLO at the TVMs and tap straight into the rail. From there ride toward town and connect to TheBus at major hubs. honolulu.gov
Airport To Waikīkī… Your Options Now
Fast and good-value path
- Follow signs to Lelepaua… get or reload your HOLO.
- Ride Skyline toward town.
- Transfer to TheBus and continue to Waikīkī… or use the W Line from the airport area for a limited-stop ride via Downtown and Ala Moana Center into Waikīkī. thebus.org
All-bus path
Use TheBus from the airport to Waikīkī if service timing lines up with your arrival. Live apps help you compare.
Rideshare
If you are racing sunset or juggling luggage… price out Uber or Lyft. Sometimes time is the win.
The Apps We Actually Use
- DaBus2… type the stop number from the sign and see live arrivals.
- Google Maps Transit… full routing with Skyline and TheBus.
- TheBus Trip Planner on TheBus.org… solid backup.
- Transit or Citymapper… nice alternates with clear transfer views.
Map Mindset… Corridors and Hubs
Think in corridors… Waikīkī ↔ Ala Moana… Downtown ↔ Kalihi. Hubs make transfers easy. Save the official system map to your phone so it is always a tap away.
Simple Day Trips Without A Car
- Waikīkī → Mākaha Beach… long ride with mega views… plan early… snacks when you arrive.
- Waikīkī → Kailua Beach… quick transfer downtown… stroll into powdery sand… maybe a 7-Eleven musubi on the way.
- Island sampler from Waikīkī… Dole Plantation… Haleʻiwa… Waimea Bay… loop through Kāneʻohe or Kailua and home. The day cap keeps the math easy.
Etiquette And Safety… Quick Hits
Have HOLO ready before boarding… let riders off first… move to the back… offer your seat if someone needs it… choose well-lit stops at night… pivot to indoor plans if rain rolls in. Ala Moana Center is an easy rainy-day base.
FAQ
Do bus and rail transfers count together?
Yes… HOLO gives you 2.5 hours of unlimited transfers across TheBus and Skyline after a tap. en.wikipedia.org
Did Route 20 really go away?
Yes… Route 20 was discontinued and replaced by the W Line aligned to the new airport rail service. thebus.org
Anything changing at the curbside stops at HNL?
Yes… ground transportation zones shifted with the Skyline launch. Follow the airport’s new signs to the temporary and permanent bus areas near the station. Hawaii DOT
Sources and Official Links
- DTS… Skyline Segment 2 opening and bus connections. honolulu.gov
- TheBus… W Line replacing Route 20… routes and timetables… fares. thebus.org+2thebus.org
- HART… Lelepaua station details. honolulu.gov
- HDOT… HNL ground-transport changes tied to Skyline. Hawaii DOT
Have local tips… favorite routes… or a better transfer trick? Drop a comment so other travelers can benefit.
