How to get around Oahu

Although Oahu is one of the largest islands in the Hawaiian archipelago, the island's land area is only 1,545 square kilometres. There's plenty to see and do on Oahu, so you don't have to limit your holiday to the Waikiki area.

The only problem is that the predominantly mountainous terrain means that transport is not always easy, but as the most visited and populated island in the archipelago, transport options are plentiful and visitors to this tropical paradise are finding new ways to get around.

The most recommended option is, without a doubt, to hire organised tours on Oahu, especially if you intend to explore destinations beyond the Waikiki area. The island is predominantly mountainous terrain, so you'll need a properly adapted vehicle and preferably an experienced driver.

Another important aspect is that by delegating the driving of the car to someone else, you will be able to better appreciate the new environment rather than being forced to focus all your attention on the road. On a tropical island with such stunning scenery as Oahu, the transfer is part of the fun.

Finally, there is the issue of language. Tour operators on Oahu are trained to offer visitors expert guides in different languages, which is useful if you're not fluent in English.

Jurassic Park Tour on Oahu

Kualoa Ranch on Oahu is the location where many of the legendary scenes from films such as "Jurassic Park" were filmed.

A Jurassic Park tour from Honolulu takes travellers across the island to learn about the most famous filming locations and also about the Ranch's own history.

Pearl Harbor Tours

ThePearl Harbor tour is a tour to learn about one of the most important historical sites on modern Oahu.

Learn about the history of World War II in the Hawaiian Islands and the tragedy that took place here.

Oahu Island Tour

This is one of the most comprehensive tours of Oahu Island. When you book this luxury bus tour of Oahu you'll visit all the island's highlights, from its pristine rainforests and paradisiacal beaches to its Shinto temples.

It lasts a total of 9 hours and you'll be accompanied by a local guide. But the best part is that it includes a tasting of Poi Malasada, a typical sweet of Portuguese origin.

This is a service designed exclusively for tourists. It is currently only offered on the island of Oahu, which is the most popular and therefore the most visited by travellers.

Before purchasing your Oahu sightseeing bus/tram pass it is important to keep in mind that it does not cover the whole island but only the Honolulu area.

If you are visiting Hawaii for the first time, it is definitely worth paying for a service that will take you through the city's most visited attractions in comfortable and safe transport.

Tourist bus/tram routes.

It is structured in 4 main routes covering the most important areas of the city.

• Blue Line: has 11 stops such as Sandy Beach Park or Halona Blowhole, among others.
• Red Line: 13 stops, including Chinatown.
• Pink Line: 13 stops, including Ala Moana Center and the Duke Kahanamoku Statue.
• Green Line: 12 stops and you can visit places such as the Iamond Head Crater Hike or Kapiolani Park.

Useful information

• Timetable: some lines start at 08:20 am and others at 09:30 am.
• Price: You have the option to buy the pass for 1, 4 or 7 days and the price ranges from €27 to €68.

Public bus service on the island of Oahu is operated by Oahu's City Transportation System and offers travellers visiting the island a connection to much of the island in an efficient and safe manner.

However, Oahu buses can have trouble accessing routes near mountainous areas, which are also home to many of the island's most interesting hiking trails.

However, Oahu's public bus is an inexpensive and easy way to get around, so consider it as one of your options. Spanish is not a popular language and you'll need to have an intermediate level of English to communicate with the locals.

• Timetable: varies depending on the route, so it's a good idea to check timetables and stops before making any journey, however long or short.
• Price: Approximately €1.5 each way. You can buy bus passes valid for one or more days to save more on your journey.
• Route: on the official website you will find detailed information on routes and timetables.

The private car is a favourite transport option for locals and for tourists it's a highly efficient way to get around the island without major inconveniences.

If you opt for this alternative, you should know that you will have different pick-up options, whether you hire them directly from the airport or book them online:

• At the airport, once your flight lands.
• On arrival in the city.

In addition to offering flexibility, this means of transport is an alternative means of transport that will allow you to visit the farthest corners of the island of Oahu.

Companies that offer this service

When it comes to reliable car rental companies on Oahu, the best alternative is usually to use the services of an international company and make your reservation well in advance of your trip.

Although I recommend that you do your own research, here are a few suggestions

• Hertz
• Avis
• Enterprise

Some useful information

• Price: varies depending on the company you choose, but is around €80 per day.
• Type of car: the best choice of car is a four-wheel-drive vehicle, so you'll be able to access off-road places with little or no dirt roads.

Taxis are a popular mode of transport for tourists and locals alike and can be easily found around all of **Oahu'**s tourist attractions.

In addition to being an easy and comfortable option for the traveller, taxis on Oahu have an impeccable service policy. Like almost all services on the islands, taxis are characterised by their friendly and highly focused approach to satisfying and assisting travellers.

The only drawback to consider is the price. If you plan to use this single transportation option for the duration of your stay, your travel budget may be significantly increased.

• Price: Oahu uses metered taxis and the official price table says that the first 200 metres cost around €3, increasing by €0.40 for each extra ⅛ of a mile travelled. Waiting time is set at €0.4 per minute.

Companies offering this service

On your trip to Hawaii you will find many companies. Below is a list of some of the most popular ones. Some of them allow you to check prices for routes directly on their website.

• Charley's Taxi: their offices are located at 1451 S King Street #300 in Honolulu. The contact number is +1 808-233-3333.
• Royal Hawaiian Taxi: with offices located at 2421 Tusitala Street in Honolulu. The contact number is +1 808-223-1773.
• Honolulu Cab Hawaii: located at 2211 Ala Wai Blvd # 2903. The contact number is +1 808-429-1119.
• Honolulu Taxi: located at 718 Ekela Avenue in Honolulu. The contact number is +1 808-953-4449.

When it comes to a simple, safe and economical method of travel between the different islands of Hawaii, air travel is the predominant choice. While Hawaii also has a ferry service, it only connects the islands of Oahu and Maui and tends to be more expensive and slower than flying.

Flights on Oahu depart from and arrive at Honolulu Airport (HNL), which is also the largest airport on the Hawaiian Islands. It's the best alternative if your holiday in the archipelago includes a visit to the island of Maui and the Big Island.

• Duration: Due to the proximity of the different destinations, a direct flight usually takes about 30 minutes each way.
• Price: The price is usually around €70 per trip.

Companies offering this service

A total of 8 companies offer direct flights between the main islands of the Hawaiian archipelago.

Below is a list of the most popular and those that offer the most flights each day. If you want to save money on your travels the best thing to do is to check all the companies in order to get the best possible deal.

• Hawaiian Airlines
• Southwest Airlines
• Mokulele Airlines
• Makani Kai Air