Oahu by Night… Safety and Late Service

Planning evening rides on TheBus and Skyline is easy with the right tools. This guide focuses on late service, last‑trip planning, and street‑smart safety so you can enjoy Waikiki, Chinatown, Kakaʻako, and the Airport with confidence. We link to official resources so you can double‑check hours for your date.

Key Takeaways

  • Skyline evening hours… Segment 2 operates daily with first trains about 4:00 a.m. and last departures around 10:00 to 10:30 p.m.. Always check the current table by station: Skyline Departure Schedule.
  • After Skyline ends for the night… Route 42 provides airport and Waikiki coverage and is scheduled to serve the Airport and Ahua Lagoon Drive stations after daily Skyline service is done: see Route 42 notes and timetable on the official list: Routes & Timetables.
  • New W Line… for the Airport–Waikiki connection during the day and evening, see the W Line timetable: W Line PDF. The Airport also summarizes late‑evening options, including Route 42 after 10:30 p.m.: HNL Airport Transit page.
  • Real‑time… Use HEA to see live arrivals and last buses at your stop: hea.thebus.org.
  • Safety… Follow HPD visitor guidance and the City’s pedestrian safety tips. Stick to lit stops, avoid isolated areas, and keep valuables out of sight: HPD Visitor Information · DTS Pedestrian Safety.
  • HOLO fare capping continues at night… you get a 2.5 hour transfer window and a Day Cap so you stop paying after you hit the cap: DTS Fares · TheBus Fares.

Niko’s Note 🐾 Screenshot your HEA stop screen before you walk. Cell coverage can dip near the water or inside malls.

Late Service… What runs when

Skyline last trains

  • Check your specific station’s first and last departures on the official table: Skyline Departure Schedule. After the Segment 2 opening, the City announced extended daily hours roughly 4:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. with occasional special extensions noted on the DTS Skyline news page: Segment 2 service announcement.

Airport, Waikiki and late connections

  • W Line… day and evening service linking Lelepaua Daniel K. Inouye International Airport Skyline Station and Waikiki Beach & Hotels. Current timetable: W Line PDF. Summary and frequency notes are also posted on the Airport site: HNL TheBus & Skyline.
  • Route 42 Ewa Beach–Waikiki… serves Ahua Lagoon Drive Station and the Airport Station after daily Skyline service is done. See note on the routes page and the current timetable: Routes & Timetables → Route 42.

Core city routes with late trips

  • Waikiki corridors usually have late‑evening trips on routes like 2, 8, and 13. Verify times for your night with the current PDFs: Route 2 & 2L PDF · Route 8 · Route 13. Use HEA for live last‑bus times: hea.thebus.org.

How to plan a safe night ride

  1. Check last trains first… look up your origin and destination stations on the Skyline schedule.
  2. Backstop with Route 42 if your trip involves the Airport after Skyline closes. Confirm on Routes & Timetables.
  3. Open HEA before you leave a venue and refresh while you walk: hea.thebus.org.
  4. Pick bright, active stops near hotels or major corners. Review HPD visitor safety tips and keep bags zipped: HPD Visitor Information.
  5. Use crosswalks and be seen… at night wear something reflective and make eye contact with drivers: DTS Pedestrian Safety.
  6. Know your fare… HOLO gives you a 2.5 hour transfer and a Day Cap so extra hops do not add cost once you have capped: DTS Fares · TheBus Fares.

Sample late‑evening playbooks

Dinner in Waikiki, hotel near Ala Moana

  • Outbound: Walk to Kuhio Ave stop, check Route 8 or 13 on HEA, ride to dinner.
  • Return: After 10 p.m., use HEA for the next 8 or 13 back to Ala Moana Center area. If it is late and you want a quieter stop, walk to a main avenue before you request your bus.

Airport staff or late flight arrival

  • Before 10:30 p.m.: Take W Line from Lelepaua station to Waikiki.
  • After Skyline ends: Use Route 42 to Waikiki or to connect to other routes. Check both the Route 42 timetable and HEA.

Kakaʻako art walk or Chinatown show

  • Outbound: From Waikiki, check late Route 2 toward Beretania or King corridors.
  • Return: Aim for well‑lit stops on King, Hotel, or Beretania with other riders present. Confirm last trips on HEA before you leave the venue.

Tools that help at night

Safety checklist at night

  • Wait at lit, visible stops. If a stop feels isolated, walk to the next major stop with more people.
  • Keep your phone in a front pocket or zipped bag.
  • Travel in pairs when possible.
  • If something feels off, change plans… move toward a hotel entrance, store, or staffed area.
  • Emergency… call 911. For non‑emergency assistance see HPD resources: Visitor Information.
  • Crossing streets… make eye contact and wear something reflective at night: DTS Pedestrian Safety.

FAQ

What time is the last train on Skyline Check your station on the official table. After the Segment 2 opening, last trains typically depart around 10:00 to 10:30 p.m., with occasional special extensions on event days: Departure Schedule · Skyline news.
Is there late bus service from the Airport after Skyline ends Yes. Route 42 is scheduled to serve the Airport and Ahua Lagoon Drive stations after daily Skyline service is done. Confirm on the official routes page and timetable: Routes & Timetables.
How late do Waikiki buses run Core routes like 2, 8, and 13 run late with trips past 10 p.m. Exact times vary by day, so check the current PDF and HEA: Route 2 & 2L · HEA live arrivals.
Does my HOLO Day Cap work at night Yes. Fare capping and the 2.5 hour transfer apply across TheBus and Skyline. See current fares and pass rules: DTS Fares · TheBus Fares.

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