Hop on Hop off Bus Tours in Oahu

With four lines and over 30 stops, the Waikiki Trolley is the perfect hop-on hop-off bus tour for exploring the Hawaiian island of Oahu.

The open-air trolleys and double decker buses run along fixed routes, but you can hop off at your chosen stops and hop back on when you are ready to continue your excursion.

Hop-on hop-off bus tours in Oahu offer great value for money as you can travel for as long as your ticket is valid. Single and multi-day passes and one or multi-route passes ensure that you are able to visit all of Oahu’s top attractions.

You will find below everything you need to know about hop-on hop-off bus tours, one of the best options for sightseeing tours in Oahu.

What are the best hop-on hop-off bus tours in Oahu? What are their prices?

Waikiki Trolley is the operator of hop-on hop-off bus tours in Oahu and operates along four routes: the blue, red, pink and green lines.

1. The Blue Line

The Blue Line takes you along the scenic coastline of Oahu to Diamond Head, one of Hawaii’s most iconic landmarks. You will travel along the Kalanianaole Highway, famous for its cliffs and dramatic ocean views.

Highlights on this route include the Duke Kahanamoku Statue, Diamond Head, the Halona Blowhole and Sea Life Park.

Timetable

The first bus of the day starts running at 8:20 AM with courtesy pickups at the Ilikai and Trump International hotels before its first scheduled round-trip start at 8:30 AM from the Waikiki Shopping Plaza.

The last bus of the day passes Diamond Head at around 3:40 PM before returning to the drop-off point at the Waikiki Shopping Plaza.

Buses run approximately every 40 minutes and a round trip excluding stops takes almost 2 hours.

Tickets

A 1-Day Blue Line Pass costs:

• Adults: US$25
• Children (3 to 11): US$15

2. The Red Line

The Red Line is perfect for visitors wanting to experience the richness of Hawaii’s cultural past and modern present.

This route includes stops at places of interest like the Honolulu Museum of Art, State Capitol – ‘Iolani Palace, the Punchbowl Crater, the Foster Botanical Garden and SALT at Our Kaka’ako, Honolulu’s epicenter for local culture, food and shopping.

It should be noted that ‘Iolani Palace is closed on Sundays and Mondays and the Honolulu Museum of Art is only open weekly from Thursday to Sunday.

Timetable

The first bus of the day starts running at 9:20 AM with courtesy pickups at the Ilikai and Trump International hotels before its first scheduled round-trip start at 9:30 AM from the Waikiki Shopping Plaza.

The last bus of the day passes Ala Moana Center at 4:10 PM before returning to the drop-off point at the Waikiki Shopping Plaza.

Buses run approximately every hour and a round trip excluding stops takes almost 2 hours.

Tickets

A 1-Day Red Line Pass costs:

• Adults: US$25
• Children (3 to 11): US$15

3. The Green Line

The Green Line is the newest and most unique of the Oahu hop-on hop-off routes as it provides you with the opportunity to immerse yourself in the island’s best dining and sightseeing opportunities.

Some of the culinary highlight stops include the Rainbow drive Inn, Leonard’s Bakery, Da Ono Hawaiian food and the Pipeline Bakeshop and Creamery.

The line also stops at Honolulu Zoo and the Waikiki Aquarium and you can make a separate booking for a Diamond Head Crater hiking tour.

Timetable

The first bus of the day starts running at 7:50 AM with courtesy pickups at the Ilikai and Trump International hotels before its first scheduled round-trip start at 8 AM from the Waikiki Shopping Plaza.

The last bus of the day passes Rainbow Drive Inn at 3:10 PM before returning to the drop-off point at the Waikiki Shopping Plaza.

Buses run approximately every 90 minutes and a round trip excluding stops takes around 1 and a half hours.

Tickets

A 1-Day Green Line Pass costs:

• Adults: US$25
• Children (3 to 11): US$15

4. The Pink Line

If you are looking for the best route for shopping in Oahu, the Pink Line is the perfect option. On this line you will see Hawaii as the epicenter of the Pacific first-hand as you see the tastes of Asia mingling with American comfort food and high-end fashion alongside trendy streetwear.

Highlights on this route include Ala Moana Center, Marugame Udon, Waikiki Shopping Plaza and Aqua Palms Waikiki.

Timetable

The first bus of the day starts running 10 AM at the Waikiki Shopping Plaza. The last bus of the day passes Trump International Hotel at 8:16 PM before returning to start point at the Waikiki Shopping Plaza.

Buses run approximately every 20 minutes and a round trip excluding stops takes around an hour.

Tickets

A 1-Day Pink Line Pass costs US$5 per person.

Other ticket types

1-day all-line pass:

• Adults: US$55
• Children (3 to 11): US$30

4-day all-line pass:

• Adults: US$65
• Children (3 to 11): US$40

7-day all-line pass:

• Adults: US$75
• Children (3 to 11): US$50

Infants from birth to 2-years-old travel for free on an adult’s lap.

How do Oahu hop-on hop-off bus tours work? What do they include?

Hop-on hop off tours allow you to start you trip at any stop on the route. The open-top buses and open-sided trolleys give you scenic views of the island. Buses offer frequent service, and stop at intervals of between 40 and 90 minutes depending on your route.

If you purchase an all-line ticket you receive free next day use on the same ticket just in case you don’t get to everywhere on your itinerary.

If you have the time, a 4 or 7-day all-line ticket will ensure that you cover the island and it’s scenic sights and historical landmarks while still having time to do some shopping and taste the best food Hawaii has to offer.

You can download a mini map guide complete with schedules, line routes and other important information get a full refund on your ticket if you cancel more than 24 hours before the start of your scheduled tour.

Know before you go

• Avoid carrying any bulky bags or excess luggage.
• Remember sunscreen and a hat for your open top bus tour.
• For safety, shirts, cover-ups and footwear are required at all times.
• Wear a comfortable pair of walking shoes.
• Remember that food, drinks and smoking are not permitted on the bus or trolley.
• Keep your valuables out of sight.