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Honolulu

Hawaii's capital of surf, history and Pacific cultures

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Best time to visit: Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
Currency: USD
Time zone: UTC-10
Country: United States

Photo: Frank Schulenburg, CC BY-SA 4.0

Honolulu is the capital of Hawaii and its largest city, set on the south shore of Oahu around the famous Waikiki Beach. People come for the beaches, the Pearl Harbor historic sites, the museums and the mix of Asian, Pacific and Western cultures.

Largest cities

New York
Los Angeles
Chicago
Houston
San Francisco
Miami

Quick facts

Figures are rounded recent official estimates.

Country: United States
Capital: Washington, D.C.
City population: 350,964
Population of United States: 340M
Country area: 9,833,520 km²
Official language: English
Currency: US Dollar (USD) · 1 USD ≈ 1 USD
Time zone: UTC-10
Calling code: +1
Drives on the: Right
Elevation: 4 m
Plugs: A / B · 120V
Emergency numbers: 911
Best time to visit: Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct

Temperatures through the year

Average daily high and low for each month in °C. Months marked with a drop are often rainy.

Temperatures through the year

Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High	26°	26°	26°	27°	28°	29°	30°	30°	30°	29°	28°	27°
Low	21°	20°	21°	21°	22°	23°	24°	24°	24°	23°	23°	21°

Best time to visitOther months

Approximate daily cost

Per adult per day: food, local transport and half a double room, without activities or flights.

ConservativeSimple stays, free and low-cost sights first.$105
HighComfortable hotels, a balanced mix of sights and trips.$235
LuxuryLuxury hotels, more paid experiences and day trips.$555

Plan a trip to Honolulu

Top things to do

Free
Waikiki Beach
Swim, surf or watch the sunset along Kalakaua Avenue; arrive early for a quieter stretch of sand.
- Half day
- Waikiki
- Good for kids
- Good in the evening
≈ $5
Diamond Head Summit Trail
A short but steep hike into the crater gives wide views over Waikiki; go early to avoid heat and crowds.
- Half day
- East Honolulu and Kahala
- Good for kids
Free
Pearl Harbor Historic Sites
Visit the USS Arizona Memorial and the visitor center exhibits; book the free boat tickets online in advance.
- Half day
- Pearl Harbor area
- Good for kids
- Indoors
≈ $25
Bishop Museum
Hawaii's largest museum holds the world's biggest collection of Hawaiian and Pacific artifacts; allow two to three hours.
- Half day
- Downtown and Chinatown
- Good for kids
- Indoors
≈ $22
Iolani Palace
Tour the former royal residence in the Capitol District; guided tours sell out, so reserve ahead.
- Half day
- Downtown and Chinatown
- Good for kids
- Indoors
Free
Chinatown and Arts District
Browse the markets, galleries and food stalls on and around Maunakea Street; evenings bring bars and live music.
- Half day
- Downtown and Chinatown
- Good for kids
- Good in the evening
≈ $25
Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve
Snorkel a protected reef in a volcanic bay; entry requires an online reservation and the bay is closed on some days.
- Half day
- East Honolulu and Kahala
- Good for kids
Free
North Shore day trip
Drive up the windward coast for surf beaches, shrimp trucks and Haleiwa town; winter brings big waves, summer calmer swimming.
- Full day
- East Honolulu and Kahala
- Good for kids

Before you go

Entry and visas

Citizens of Visa Waiver Program countries, including the UK, most of the EU and Qatar, need an approved ESTA, which costs $40 since 30 September 2025; apply at least 72 hours before travel on the official CBP site. Others, including Indian, Saudi and Emirati citizens, need a visitor visa, and appointment waits can be long.

Official website

From the airport

Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) is the main gateway, about 20-30 minutes by car or shuttle from Waikiki. The Airport Waikiki Express shuttle runs every half hour, The Bus route W costs $3 with exact change, and taxis or rideshares are also available.

Getting around

The Bus covers most of the island with exact-change fares, while Waikiki itself is walkable and a rental car helps for day trips outside town.

Local tips

Remove shoes before entering a home and never take sand or rocks from the beach.
Casual beachwear is fine in Waikiki, but cover up when visiting temples, palaces or memorials.
Cards are widely accepted, but carry small bills for buses, markets and tips.
The sun is strong year-round, so use reef-safe sunscreen and watch for strong currents at beaches.