5 Fun Ways to Get Around Oahu

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Aloha! You’ve just taken your first flight on Hawaiian Airlines and landed on Oahu, where there are hundreds of things to do and see. From touring the Dole Pineapple Plantation to hiking the Diamond Head Summit Trail to snorkeling in picturesque Hanauma Bay, it all sounds really exciting and cool.

The only thing you’re wondering now is, “What are some fun ways to get around Oahu?”

Know Before You Go: Getting Around Oahu

Before I visited Oahu for the first time, I did some extensive research to get to know the area. OK, TBH, I spent several days on Google reading travel blogs and several weeks perusing the pages of DK Eyewitness Guides – because I love the full-color pages and maps.

As a result of my super-sleuthing, I found that, aside from some jungle areas, steep ravines, and private club spots, most of the island is easily accessible by car or motorcycle.

I was happy to learn that Downtown Waikiki, where I stayed, is completely walkable, with many hotels, restaurants, and shopping close to the beach.

I wanted some alternatives to just renting a car and walking, so I dug deeper and decided on a few methods of transportation that would work best for me. (I saved the best for last, Fun Way 5!)

Getting Around Oahu as a Solo Traveler

Since I almost always travel solo, I didn’t have to compromise my choices for getting around Oahu, but I also did not have the perk of sharing costs with someone else.

When I viewed the price online or considered the daily rate versus hourly, I repeatedly reminded myself that it was all coming out of my pocket. 

Naturally, as a solo traveler, cost narrowed down my decisions for transportation.

Despite what many guidebooks, online resources, and other travelers I asked all suggested, I couldn’t justify the cost of renting a car by myself, driving from the airport, and parking the vehicle for use during my entire, week-long visit. Instead, I looked for less expensive alternatives for one, like I usually do.

Trusting Myself and Getting Around Oahu

When I lived in Mexico and Colombia, I enjoyed using public transportation.

The public trans in both countries is fairly well-organized and readily available for a majority of people. I am still, at times, a bit overwhelmed by the dependence on (and in love for) cars in the United States, especially where I currently live, in California.

While some cities in the U.S. – like San Francisco, New York, and Chicago – boast transit systems that keep their car-free residents and visitors moving easily throughout major areas, there are plenty of places that still rely heavily on cars.

Just ask anyone who has ever had to wait for the bus in the rain or been late to an appointment because they relied on “reliable” public trans.

Public transportation fan or not, people will admit they love the flexibility and freedom that comes with having a car.

I liked my 2005 Honda Element, with its spacious interior – especially when the rear seats were removed – plus its boxy design, and easy-to-clean rubber mats.

I like it when someone else drives me around and I love riding my 1966 Vespa motorscooter: only one of which is possible when away from home. I find, when traveling solo, I have to trust myself to make the best choices so I can do and see things.

Public trans, rideshare apps, and rented scooters were all things I considered when searching for ways to see the popular places on Oahu not close to downtown Honolulu or Waikiki Beach.

By the end of my visit, I was happy I trusted myself, and I saw many places I might have missed had I made different choices.

✏️ Expert Tip: The 5 Fun Ways to Get Around on Oahu listed below are rated from one to five with one as the lowest and five as the highest. Try at least one of these five fun ways to get around Oahu when you visit this majestic island paradise!

1. Take TheBus with HOLO 

As mentioned, I lived in Mexico and Colombia, where buses are a popular method of transportation for most areas. City buses in these countries are typically cheap and reliable, designed to stick to a schedule and to pass through commercial, residential, and recreational areas.

They are also often slow, not climate-controlled, crowded, require exact change, and are uncomfortable.

Except for a few spacious, colorful, buses I’ve had the pleasure of taking in Colombia, the bus is still the bus, except in Honolulu, where it is called TheBus as one word said quickly. If that doesn’t make you laugh, keep reading. 

HOLO, a service available with TheBus, allows riders to purchase ($2.00) a card and refill it by pre-paying for rides at places like ABC Stores: convenience stores found on nearly every corner of the city.

The nifty aqua-and-white HOLO card works like a credit card: swiped when entering the bus, your ride fare is deducted from your account. Day, week, and monthly passes are also available.

As long as you maintain a balance, the card is convenient because the bus requires exact change (and the drivers carry no cash). At the time of this article, TheBus costs $3.00 for a single fare with free transfers plus, the system caps your daily rate at $7.50, meaning after you reach this amount, the rest of your rides that same day are free.

Always check TheBus website for updated fares. 

TheBus and Holo both have helpful apps that show information like schedules, trip-planning, and canceled or delayed routes (most often due to weather or street conditions) and allow you to view and add to your balance, respectively.

So far, TheBus with a HOLO card sounds like a great way to see Oahu, right? Well, for me, not quite. 

I decided to take TheBus from downtown Waikiki to Hanauma Bay early on a Saturday morning. With a 9:15 reservation for the Bay, I caught the 8:00 a.m. bus at the corner of Kapiolani Boulevard and Waialae Avenue, which would put me, according to the schedule, near the welcome center of Hanauma Bay around 9:00 a.m. 

“Perfect,” I thought, knowing I could not be late or the online reservation would be canceled without a refund. I followed the guide on the app, walking from one disembark to a small stop to wait for another bus.

TheBus twisted and turned through main thoroughfares and neighborhoods, making good time according to “island time.” As we drove through neighborhoods, down main thoroughfares, past shopping centers, and along a few beaches, I stayed aware and mindful of the time.

✏️ Expert Tip: “Island Time”, a slower, relaxed time with little need to rush, is followed by many people on Oahu. If someone says, “I’ll meet you at 3:00 island time,” you may expect them to show up around 3:15 or 3:30. While some see the term as derogatory (meaning that islanders are lazy), others see it as the cozy attitude towards time created by living in paradise and letting go of your worries. (Chill out and choose the latter.) 🌴⏱️

Every 5 minutes, I checked the real-time location of the bus and my watch, which crept towards 9:00 a.m. much faster than the bus did to Hanauma Bay. Finally, at 8:45 a.m., with all the stops and the 35 mph speed limit on most of the island, I was nowhere near the bay.

I pulled the stop request cord, got off the bus in a neighborhood near a busy avenue, and called a Lyft. Fortunately, a kind driver named Pamela was just passing by and made a U-turn to pick me up. She was literally across the street.

Thanks to Pamela and my decision to call a Lyft, I made it to the welcome center just in time to enter Hanauma Bay. 

Pros: TheBus is a wonderful, inexpensive option if you have plenty of time to spare, enjoy seeing the landscape and city from the comfort of a clean vehicle with air-conditioning and padded seats, and are on a very limited budget.

Cons: TheBus is often late and quite slow, your HOLO card must be full or you must have exact change, and most passages require at least one transfer (usually more) – meaning a lot of hopping on and off in unpredictable weather.

2. Rent a Car with TURO

I wanted my first experience with TURO to be exceptional or at least acceptable, but to be quite honest, I made such a poor choice when selecting my vehicle, that I barely came close to either.

This was my fault and, while the story is humorous, it was tragic for a few hours while it was happening. “But, it’s Hawaii!,” I can hear you saying, “How can anything be that bad in paradise?”

Keep reading and you’ll find out…

If you’re not familiar with TURO, it’s kind of like the Airbnb of car rentals, where independent people rent their vehicles by the day, hour, week, or month. They have special rates for the length of the rental and may include options like unlimited miles and early bird discounts as well as fees for cleaning and taxes.

The vastly different insurance tiers with TURO are an investigation each driver will have to consider but you cannot rent a car without selecting one of their insurance options. 

Steven, a solo traveler I met from Venezuela, rented a TURO car and it was stellar – a newer model SUV, clean, well-maintained, and with unlimited miles.

Steven booked his TURO rental a day in advance and, while he did have to walk quite far to pick it up, he said the experience was great and he’d do it again in Hawaii.

I accompanied Steven in the TURO he rented to several beaches as well as Diamond Head Summit, stopping for gas only once during our day-long excursion. The car handled like a dream and featured modern amenities like ApplePlay, cruise control, and keyless start.

My experience, unfortunately, was not as pleasant. 

Wanting to visit Lanikai Beach, where Steven went on the second day with his dreamy rental from TURO, I booked a car as it is the most sensible option to reach this gorgeous stretch of sand on the East Shore of Oahu. I also planned to make a few stops along the way.

I found a TURO vehicle available within a 20-minute walk from my hostel and booked it online. The owner had mixed reviews, but mostly on the good side, and the price was right, only $35 for the day.

With the insurance and taxes, this doubled the price for my TURO rental but, still, it was last minute and I wanted to go to elusive Lanikai Beach. 

I met the owner, Dayton, at his apartment building, and I’m pretty sure I woke him from a deep sleep at 8:00 a.m., our agreed meeting time.

Dayton sleepily handed me the keys, saying something about the tank being full and for me to text him if I needed anything, and then he quietly disappeared back inside the building.

I unlocked the car, noticing the seats were stained and the windshield not too clean, plus there was a faint odor of gasoline and donuts. I figured it couldn’t be too bad, plus I was determined to go to the beach, and I drove off as soon as I found the USB cable for my phone to use my GPS app.

A few miles into my ride, I realized this was one broke-ass car. As I peered out of the filmy windows and across the dusty dashboard, I noticed that the check engine light was on.

I instinctively thumped the dashboard like I’d seen done in the movies, and the light went out, but returned moments later. I convinced myself it was just a little glitch.

I thumped along, noticing an uneven wobble to the car that made it lean a bit towards the passenger side floorboard. The wobble came and went but wasn’t consistent and I convinced myself it was just the unevenness of the island roads on this older model car.

The real panic – and confirmation I’d rented a total piece of crap as my first TURO experience – came as I took the onramp to Lunalilo Freeway and Queen Liliuokalani Freeway (also known as Interstate H-1).

I felt the car shaking, again, on the passenger side, while a strange, scraping sound occasionally drifted up from the floorboard. I prayed to the Tiki Gods as I entered a tunnel under lush, dark green vines, that I’d make it to the beach alive.

When I finally parked, I got out of the car and thanked the golden sun above that everything seemed OK. Then, I walked around the car to see that three of the four tires were pretty bald, the headlights were crystalized yellow and opaque from age, and the front bumper featured several nasty scrape marks.

Standing there, on the grassy patch near the entrance to Lanikai Beach, I began to feel sorry for the car. But then I remembered I had paid to rent it and it was advertised as being in “good” condition, and quickly made a mental note to let TURO know “good” was stretching the truth.

I took photos of the car, which I later learned I should have done before picking it up, and went on my way to the beach. After a lovely day of snorkeling and a picnic lunch for one at Lanikai Beach, I got back into my death trap and drove back to Waikiki, slowly, cautiously, and shaking my head at my naivety for most of the drive.

I returned the car to Dayton, who again looked like he had just woken up, and he offered to drive me back to my hotel. I politely declined, having already risked my life enough that day, and walked away hastily, happy to have my reliable feet to carry me back.

The next morning, I texted TURO customer support and explained to a polite and concerned representative about my poor choice for a first-time rental. The representative told me I should not keep a TURO rental if it looks unsafe, and instead report it immediately to them.

He reviewed my photos and agreed the car was in terrible condition. To my surprise, he refunded me almost all of what I had paid for the rental. I was stoked! I thanked the TURO representative and he thanked me for reporting the terrifying Nissan.

Now, I’m glad this is something I can at least laugh at now, but me booking way too late into my visit + not having another option + this being my first time with TURO, and not knowing I had the option to refuse the car, I learned a valuable lesson.

Bottom Line: While the price for a TURO rental is a bit spendy if you’re traveling solo, it can be a great option to get around on Oahu, especially if you want to venture far from your hotel or hostel.

Just be sure to inspect the vehicle thoroughly, take photos, and have confidence in the owner before you drive off into the Hawaiian sunset!

3. Use a Rideshare App

Rideshare apps like Uber and Lyft are becoming more and more popular among travelers who are discovering them as an alternative to renting a car. For many reasons, including no need to search for parking, fast and efficient service, door-to-door pickup and drop off, and back seat comfort while a driver deals with traffic and navigation, rideshare apps have taken off in recent years as a reliable, safe way to get around many places like the island of Oahu.

After arriving at the Honolulu airport, I requested an Uber to my hostel. I enjoyed a comfortable ride with a friendly driver from the Philippines who has called Oahu home for the past eight years.

All of my rideshare drivers in Hawaii were friendly and helpful and drove clean, newer-model cars. A few offered complimentary bottled water, sample sizes of reef-safe sunscreen, and tiny tins of mints. Talk about going the extra mile!

One driver, Pamela, from Connecticut, explained that rideshare drivers make up 40% of the gig economy workers on Oahu. She added that more than half of her friends who are employed full-time drive part-time to earn extra income since tourism is booming almost year-round.

Like many travel expenses, a big downside to rideshares is the cost, especially when traveling solo. Those $20 and $30 passages (before the 15-18% tip, and I hope you tip generously) add up quickly!

After a full day of snorkeling and enjoying the nature preserve at Hanauma Bay, I met another solo female traveler, Silvia, near the entrance of the preserve, searching for cellphone data to request a ride with Uber. As the crowd thinned out and people walked to the parking lot past the entrance, Silvia asked me to share some data with her. I asked her where she was going, to which she replied, “to my hostel, in central Waikiki.”

“Oh great, me, too!” I said, offering to call a Lyft for us so we could split the cost. Our car arrived quickly and we chatted the entire ride back to Waikiki about traveling solo and our favorite places so far on Oahu.

Moral of the Story: Rideshare apps usually work well, even if they cost a bit more for the solo traveler. If you’re fortunate enough to meet someone while traveling and are confident that the other person is considerate, kind, and safe, it could be a win-win to share the Rideshare!

A few tips For taking Uber and Lyft When traveling 

• Always match the car model, license plate, and driver identification with what is on the app as the vehicle is approaching
• Verbally confirm and identify the driver before getting into the car. Never get into a car just because they have the rideshare icon on their dashboard
• Verify the address with the driver so that they know exactly where you are going
• Use the Notes feature on your phone to save the name, exact address, and contact info of your hotel or hostel in case the GPS doesn’t match it completely
• Follow the route on the app while riding to make sure you’re going toward your destination
• Stay aware of your surroundings and keep items like bags and wallets close by
• Be sure to tip and rate the driver fairly, especially if you’ve enjoyed the ride!
• For more tips and safety information, visit the official FAQ for UBER and Lyft

4. Walk

If you are in moderate to good health and love to explore at your own pace, walking is a fantastic way to get around Oahu. Of course, this refers to arriving in an area and then walking around, or staying in downtown Honolulu or Waikiki Beach but, overall, it’s a great option.

If the weather is nice, you’ve packed a refillable water bottle, and you’re outfitted with a hat, sunglasses, and comfortable shoes, then walking can be an excellent choice. 

When researching my visit to Oahu, I read article after article praising the area for its walkable neighborhoods and shopping areas, with access to public parks, sandy beaches, historic sites, and places of interest.

While major attractions like Pearl Harbor, Diamond Head Summit, or the Dole Pineapple Plantation require other methods of transportation, nearly all of Waikiki Beach is walkable, as well as nearby downtown Honolulu.

If your hostel or hotel is located off the main streets in Waikiki – as most of them are – you’ll enjoy walking to shops, bars, restaurants, and, of course, the nearby beaches.

I selected Seaside Hawaiian Hostel for several reasons but was incredibly pleased with its great location, which meant I walked almost everywhere – the grocery store, yummy eateries, the scooter rental HQ, and even a live Hula show near the Duke Kahanamoku statue.

Of course, while Waikiki is reputed to be safe for walking day or night, you always need to be aware of your surroundings and other people. Stick to well-lit areas, limit the use of your cell phone (better yet, put it on silent and out of sight in your pocket) and, of course, never walk around while intoxicated or if you feel ill and disoriented.

Be sure to treat your feet to some comfort – flip flops are great for the sand, but concrete city streets mean rubber soles and arch supports – it sounds a bit crotchety, but it truly makes for a better walk!

Finally, while it’s great to take in the gorgeous Hawaiian scenery around you as you stroll, be sure to watch where you’re walking. It seemed every day that I ventured out, there was something new. I dodged everything on the sidewalks, from large, loud groups of ogling tourists to fresh cat poop to a lime-green iguana the size of a Dachshund! Still, I found walking to be a fun way to get around Oahu.

5. Rent a Scooter

Yep, I saved the best for last!

Before my trip to Hawaii, I asked a few of my friends who ride scooters for their recommendations for getting around Oahu. Those who responded unanimously agreed that renting a scooter from Hawaiian Style Rentals and Sales was the way to go.

As an avid scooterist riding for the past 20 years and the owner of one solid vintage Vespa, I couldn’t think of a more fun way to get around on Oahu!

Taking my friends’ advice one morning, I walked a few blocks from my hostel in downtown Waikiki to the Hawaiian Style Rentals and Sales location on Uluniu Avenue, where I met Jefferson, a friendly, helpful rental and sales associate.

Jefferson graciously gave me the 411 on models for rent, how to rent on the app or online versus in person (and if I wanted to do it later, which I did), the cost of a day versus week rental, insurance, and liability, and safety extras like the island-optional helmet.

Later that evening, I used the website to reserve a large-size model, since most of the scooters I’ve owned along with my current whip were 150 or more CCs capable of carrying a passenger (even though, solo traveler, I was riding alone for this adventure).

I arrived early the next morning and selected a burgundy-and-cream Genuine Buddy 170i Pamplona Spain model: a full-sized, four-stroke, fuel-injected automatic scooter, suitable for two people, with a locking center storage space and additional cargo basket on the rear.

In my 20 years of riding vintage Vespas, I had only ever test-driven one twist-and-go, and it did not go well. Out of habit, I stomped on the floorboard for a brake and continually tried to find my gears on the hand grip.

Despite all of my scooters being vintage, manual-shift Vespas with drum brakes and typically no battery on board, I was really excited about riding a modern scooter around Oahu.

Determined to make this an amazing day and adapt to whatever was needed to enjoy my scooter time, I happily handed over my credit card for payment plus insurance.

I then watched a safety video, received instructions from Jefferson on how to lock the bike (Oahu is notorious for scooter thefts), and took a successful, quick test run around the block.

I returned briefly to put on my large (optional) helmet and made my way out of Waikiki. 

The thrill of scooting in paradise, wearing shorts and sunglasses as the warm sun shines down on you, and the wind, fragrant with tropical flowers, fresh-baked masalas, and ocean mist, cannot be duplicated.

It sounds corny, but “thrilling” is what best describes most of the day scooting around Oahu.

Everywhere I went, the roads were clear and safe.

I took my time and made several stops to photograph murals, snap pics next to roadside attractions, and eventually made it to the Dole Pineapple Plantation, my first stop on the day’s excursion.

A parking lot attendant told me to park anywhere on the grass and gave me a “shaka” meaning “everything’s cool, bro.”

From the Dole Pineapple Plantation, I headed up to the North Shore, stopping in Hale’iwa to visit Matsumoto Shave ice, cross the iconic Rainbow Bridge, and chow down at Giovanni’s shrimp truck, where I inhaled a half-size portion of delicious garlic shrimp and rice.

Pronounced ‘hah-lay-EE-vah’ in Hawaiian, the historic town of Hale’iwa is considered by many to be the surfing capital of the world.

Each time I stopped, I parked the scooter with its huge galvanized steel lock and took a photo, “just in case.”

Being the seasoned rider that I am, I modified my island wardrobe for safety during a day of riding. I wore close-toed shoes, wrap-around sunglasses, and a scooter skirt (skirt with shorts attached).

I even took a rolled-up rain jacket, which I was told by several people I wouldn’t need.

Flying down H2 between jungle trees and huge, vine-covered rocks, as warm, quarter-sized drops of rain pelted me through a strong wind, I was, snug and dry in my rain jacket, traveling at a safe, slower speed.

You can bet I was glad I didn’t listen to those who said I wouldn’t need a jacket!

The rain cleared as I returned to Honolulu, passing some picturesque architecture, including the ‎⁨Iolani Palace⁩, ⁨fondly known to many people my age as the Headquarters of the popular television show, Hawai’i 5-0.

“Book ’em, Danno! “

My plan to return the scooter early was thwarted by – well, honestly, loving it too much – and I happily cruised around the city for a while, rolling up just as Jefferson was closing the location for the night.

I secured the bike in the parking lot, snapped a photo, and thanked him for an epic day of riding around on Oahu.

Some tips when renting a scooter to get around on Oahu

• Have some familiarity with what it’s like to be on a motorized scooter. While some say it’s as easy as riding a bike, it is different for several reasons, the main one being gas-powered torque and riding in traffic.
• Wear close-toed shoes and sunglasses (eye protection, duh), and take a long-sleeved jacket “just in case.” If you have the option to wear a helmet, do it! It’s not the law, but it’s your brain at risk if decide against it.
• BE MINDFUL of everything around you. Don’t let the beauty, wonder, sights, and smells of the island distract you too much. Never, ever drink alcohol or use drugs while riding. Period.
• You may want to wear earbuds and use a GPS like Google Maps on your cellphone. If you do this, activate the Do Not Disturb feature and keep the volume audible, but not so loud that you can’t hear another vehicle approaching, especially an emergency one.
• Keep your cell phone secured in a zippered pocket, like in a jacket, where you can easily pull over and retrieve it. Never text or use your phone when riding!
• Obey the speed limit and traffic signs. Yield when necessary. Use your turn signals if the bike has them and leave plenty of stopping distance between you and the vehicle in front of you. You never know when you may have to stop suddenly!
• Get the best insurance offered. It may cost a little more, but what you pay for peace of mind is priceless. If you need to see it as a splurge, treat yourself! It’s worth it.
• Tip the workers who help you, especially if they provide you with excellent attention and service, as they do at Hawaiian Style Rentals and Sales. Tip well! Generosity is always a good vibe.

The Wrap-Up: All Ways to Get Around Oahu Are Fun!

So now you know five fun ways to get around Oahu, each with its appeal depending on what you’re planning to do and where you’re going.

Honestly, they are all fun, although you may prefer one to the other. (For me it’s a throttle-pulling, hands down, renting a scooter!)

Whatever you choose, be safe, travel well, and make the most of your time on “island time!” Mahalo! 🤙🏽