Getting to Honolulu: Daniel K. Inouye Airport (HNL, 20 Mins to Waikiki), Bus vs Rideshare

Serving as the primary aviation gateway for the entire State of Hawaii, Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) sits right on the sunny southern lagoon coast just 14 kilometres (9 miles, 20 to 25 minutes) west of Waikiki Beach.

1. Four Easy Ways From HNL Airport to Waikiki (14 km, 20 to 25 Minutes)

1. Flat-Rate Charley's Taxi: Honolulu's oldest taxi company (Charley's Taxi, book online or call when you land) offers a guaranteed flat rate between HNL Airport and any hotel in Waikiki, with no surge pricing during rush hour and no climbing upstairs to the rideshare level with heavy bags.
2. Uber & Lyft (Crucial Level 2 Pickup Rule): at HNL Airport, Uber and Lyft are not permitted to pick up downstairs at Ground Level 1 Baggage Claim. Instead, after collecting your bags, take the lift or escalator up one floor to Level 2 (the Ticketing and Departures Level) and cross the zebra crossing to the Centre Median Ride App Pickup zones outside Lobby 2, Lobby 5 and Lobby 8.
3. Shared Airport Shuttle Vans (Roberts Hawaii): helpful mainly if you are travelling solo; for two or more passengers, a flat-rate taxi or rideshare is more economical and twice as fast.
4. Public Bus (TheBus Route 20 or W Line Airport Express): travelling with a cabin backpack or small roller bag? You can ride Honolulu's air-conditioned public bus from HNL Level 2 straight down Kuhio Avenue in the heart of Waikiki in 40 minutes for an affordable flat cash fare (see our HOLO card and bus guide). Note the strict luggage rule on TheBus: your bag must fit under your seat or on your lap without blocking the aisle (standard cabin size); oversized checked trunks are not permitted on board.

2. Inter-Island Flights (Terminal 1)

Flying between Honolulu (HNL) and Maui (OGG), Kaua'i (LIH) or Kona and Hilo (KOA and ITO)? All Hawaiian Airlines inter-island flights depart from modern, breezy Terminal 1 (Mauka Concourse), with departures every 30 to 45 minutes and flight times of just 35 to 45 minutes in the air.