ALOHA!
Taking the bus to Pearl Harbor from Waikiki is (mostly ;)) simple, easy, and cheap!
Depending on your timing, it’s possible to take a single bus to get to Pearl Harbor.
But otherwise, you may be looking at 1 bus transfer to get there.
If you need a bus transfer, you’ll likely be catching a bus to downtown Honolulu, and from there you’ll get on a bus that will take you to the Pearl Harbor Historic Sites.
The bus ride from Waikiki to Pearl Harbor is about 45 minutes.
Once you get off the bus, you are pretty much there!
The bus fare is $3 one way, which makes it $6 round-trip.
Best way to get bus directions to Pearl Harbor
Google Maps public transit directions make it super easy to navigate the bus system on Oahu!
For directions to Pearl Harbor, have a look here.
If you know where in Waikiki you’re staying, input your start location to get a better idea of how long it will take and your options for bus routes.
Make sure your start time is for the morning to get an even better idea.
You can also play around with the timings with those bus directions from Waikiki, including a weekday departure vs weekend departure.
You may consider going to Pearl Harbor during the week when buses in Honolulu will run more frequently.
Be sure to also take a look at tips for taking the bus around Oahu.
Waikiki Travel Guide:
- 2 mile walk on Waikiki Beach
- Best snorkeling spot in Waikiki
- Best hike near Waikiki
- Bike rental in Waikiki
- Free hula show in Waikiki
- Getting around by bus from Waikiki
- Best unforgettable adventures on Oahu
Side note!
See about the best shoes for hiking in Hawaii and what to wear snorkeling in Hawaii! And for Hawaii vacation ideas, see the best things to do in Waikiki that will give you Hawaii vibes!
How much time to give to Pearl Harbor Historic Sites
When you’re going to Pearl Harbor by bus, you probably want to dedicate your whole day to it.
If you decide to drive, you may want to give a look to nearby Keaiwa Heiau State Park for hiking and a visit to an ancient Hawaiian temple!
If you didn’t reserve your tickets online for the USS Arizona Memorial, you’ll want to show up early so you can get tickets before they run out.
There are a number of tickets available online at a nominal price (like $1) before you go, and then there are a number of tickets for free on-site for that day.
The general advice is to get there early to ensure that you get free tickets, or to reserve online if you want to make sure to go to see the USS Arizona Memorial.
The USS Arizona tickets are also assigned a time.
The time is for the ferry that will take you out to the memorial.
So the later you get to Pearl Harbor, the later your assigned ferry time will be.
Whether or not you’ll be able to get the free tickets the day you show up really depends on if the day you’re going gets a lot of people or not.
It could be possible to show up at 1pm and get tickets for 3pm.
Other days, you could show up at 9am and get tickets for 3pm, or none at all.
Even if you have a few hours to spare before your ferry departs, or if you don’t manage to get tickets at all, you won’t be wasting your time with a visit to the Pearl Harbor Historic Sites!
There are plenty of things to do at Pearl Harbor to occupy your time!
There are some things you can do that you’ll have to pay extra for, but there are also some free things to do to gain a better understanding of that tragic day in 1941, in addition to events leading up to the day.
HAPPY PEARL HARBOR PLANNING!
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🐠 Here are things you must consider packing!
- Swimsuit or swimming shirt aka rash guard
- rash guard: swim set for women and swim shirt for men
- Water shoes
- Waterproof phone case (so you can capture pictures of fishies underwater!)
- cheapo phone case OR waterproof camera
- I also have this "camera" wrist float to attach to my cheapo waterproof phone case so my phone won't sink to the bottom of the ocean in case I somehow let go of it. (Mine does stay afloat - test this for yourself before completely trusting it!)
- Swimming goggles or snorkeling mask set
- Reef-safe(r) sunscreen
- lightweight travel towel:
- walking sandals:
I also don't go snorkeling without a personal swim float buoy. Not only does it help to keep me visible, but it makes for a perfect way to rest out in deeper water! Oh, and it also serves as a dry bag so I can take stuff into the water with me.
Another way I have taken valuables into the water with me is to wear a travel money belt that I don't mind getting wet with salt water (it's not waterproof but I have several so I just use one of them) and then I put things in a ziplock freezer bag, and put that freezer bag in the money belt.
There are also designated waterproof waist pouches that you can store your valuables and take into the water with you.
see more:
- What to wear hiking
- What to wear snorkeling