Honolulu flights and travel guide

Honolulu is state capital of Hawaii and the archipelago's most populous city. It lies on the eastern side of the island of Oahu, its name in Hawaiian meaning "sheltered bay". Every year, millions of tourists take cheap flights to Honolulu to bask in the sun on the world's most famous beach, absorb the history, do some surfing, pick up some bargains and experience the gracious "aloha" spirit.

It was the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941 that brought the US into the Second World War and a tour that takes in the USS Arizona Memorial (constructed over the sunken hull of the battleship), USS Missouri and the Pacific Aviation Museum is a must for many travellers. Over the past couple of years, a new tourist trail has started, one associated with Barack Obama. Australians might be more interested in another man - Duke Paoa Kahanamoku, the Olympic champion swimmer and movie actor who, it is said, introduced surfing to Australia.

The Duke was raised in Waikiki, and if you are following the Waikiki Historic Trail, you'll see his statue, garlanded in leis. Some of the exhibits at the Honolulu Surfing Museum feature the Duke too. The museum also displays the gold ring worn by Captain James Cook during his exploration of Hawaii. Another fascinating museum is the Bishop Museum which houses a wonderful collection of Hawaiian artifacts. And another Duke - Doris Duke, the late heiress - is the benefactress of the Doris Duke Museum of Islamic Art.

If you tire of the beach and museums or you want to walk off that plate lunch, climbing up Diamond Head is a good idea. The ancient volcanic crater, which dominates Waikiki, offers wonderful views of the city.

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Honolulu climate

The sun shines almost every day of the year and there is little variation in temperatures. The ocean breezes moderate Honolulu's climate. Average annual rainfall is about 500mm, falling mainly between October and March.

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When to fly to Honolulu

Peak Season: 

Mid-December to March and June to September are high season times in Hawaii. Late-November through April is surfing season. 

Off Season: 

April to June and September to mid-December are low season months.

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Getting into town Honolulu

Six rental car companies, including Avis and Budget, have desks in the Baggage Claim area at Honolulu Airport. Dozens of companies offer ground transportation on a prearranged basis (tours, courtesy cars and passenger- transportation servies) from the airport.

The Airport Waikiki Express serves hotels in Waikiki. It runs every 20-25 minutes between 5am and 3am, and costs $10 (US).

Taxi service is available near the terminal baggage-claim areas. There are taxi dispatchers who wear green shirts with  “TAXI DISPATCHER” on the back of their shirts who will help. The fare to Waikiki is about $35-$40 during non-rush hours. The maximum number of passengers is four and there's a baggage charge of 35 cents per bag. Fares are metered.

TheBus routes 19 and 20 serve Waikiki. They depart every 30 minutes or so and the fare is about $2.

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Getting around Honolulu

TheBus serves Honolulu and outlying areas on Oahu. Adult fares are a couple of dollars. The Waikiki Trolley travels between Honolulu's most popular tourist attractions from about $43 per day.

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Honolulu airports

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