ALOHA!
Can Uber pick you up from the Honolulu airport to get you to your Waikiki hotel?
The Uber situation in Hawaii at the Honolulu airport is an evolving situation!
The fun activities that await you in Waikiki!
Now here’s a list of the way Uber has played out at the Honolulu airport…
- In the way past
- In the past
- Late 2017
- Early 2018
In the way past
Absolutely NO airport pick-up by Uber drivers was allowed without special permissions. The Uber app didn’t even allow airport bookings unless it was with a driver that was allowed to do business at the airport. (This was a very limited number of drivers.)
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!
In the past
Uber started allowing airport bookings with ALL drivers, even if they didn’t have special airport pick-up permissions.
Even though the Uber app allowed the bookings, it was still illegal for drivers to pick up passengers directly at the airport. This was according to the Hawaii state government.
Uber drivers got around the illegal nature of conducting business without permission at the Honolulu airport by asking its passengers to take a walk or free shuttle down the road, like to a car rental company. Then you would get in the Uber cab to get to Waikiki Beach.
Late 2017
The Hawaii state government announced an experiment in which they will allow ALL Uber drivers, even those without special permissions, to pick up passengers directly at the airport.
But the pick-up is to occur ONLY at designated Uber pick-up points.
There is one pick-up point at the inter-island terminal, and one pick-up point at the overseas terminal.
Early 2018
The Uber experiment is ongoing, scheduled through the end of February.
It’s unknown what will happen after that, but there’s a good chance that Uber will continue to have a presence at the Honolulu airport to start off your Hawaii vacation with a cheaper way to get to Waikiki!
How much is it for an Uber from Honolulu airport to Waikiki?
The estimated cost to get to Waikiki from the airport by Uber is about $25.
How much is the shuttle from the airport to Waikiki?
Uber may be one of the cheapest ways to get to Waikiki.
But if you’re looking for other transportation options, this shuttle might be your best alternative to an Uber.
You can also take a look at this private transfer.
A taxi fare from the airport to Waikiki might be around $50 when you include tips.
How about the bus to Waikiki from the airport?
The bus from the airport to Waikiki is by far the cheapest way to get to Waikiki Beach. It’s $5 for a single day bus pass, which is the lowest available option for Oahu bus tickets.
But only consider the bus option if:
- You have carry-on luggage only
- You don’t mind figuring out where to catch the bus after a long flight to Hawaii
- You don’t mind waiting for the bus after a long time in transit to get to Hawaii
Basically, consider that you might be quite exhausted after your flight to start off your Hawaii vacation by taking the bus. So you might like the idea of having a more convenient option to get to Waikiki… like an Uber, shuttle, or taxi.
But once you get settled into your Waikiki hotel, the Oahu bus system is pretty easy to navigate! Here are tips for getting around Oahu by bus.
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
- Best unforgettable adventures on Oahu
HAPPY HONOLULU AIRPORT TO WAIKIKI 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