Honolulu
Honolulu is the gateway to Hawaii, but it's more than just Waikiki Beach and luaus. Diamond Head crater rises behind the skyline, the North Shore delivers some of the world's best surfing, and Pearl Harbor reminds you that history happened here too. The Polynesian-meets-Asian-meets-American food scene is unlike anything on the mainland, and the aloha spirit is surprisingly real.
Create itineraryQuick Facts
Top things to see in Honolulu
Book your Honolulu trip
Hotels, flights, and activities — all in one place
Bookings handled by partner sites, not by TripCheckiner
Honolulu travel FAQ
How many days do I need in Honolulu and Oahu?
4 to 5 days for Oahu. Day one: Waikiki Beach, Diamond Head hike (reservations required, $5 entry — go early for cooler temps), and sunset at the beach. Day two: Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona Memorial (free but tickets go fast — book at recreation.gov). Day three: North Shore — Haleiwa town, shrimp trucks at Giovanni's ($14-16), Pipeline and Sunset Beach. Day four: Hanauma Bay for snorkeling ($25 entry, closed Mondays and Tuesdays), Kailua Beach. Day five: Manoa Falls hike, Chinatown food tour.
Is Honolulu expensive?
Hawaii is one of the most expensive US destinations. Hotel rooms in Waikiki start at $150-250/night, restaurant meals run $15-30, and groceries cost 30-50% more than the mainland. But there are ways to save: plate lunches (Hawaiian lunch boxes) from places like Rainbow Drive-In or Helena's Hawaiian Food are $12-16 and huge. Public bus covers the whole island for $3/ride or $80/month pass. Many of the best experiences — beaches, hikes, sunsets — are free.
What food is essential in Hawaii?
Poke bowls — raw fish over rice — are everywhere and range from convenience stores ($8-12) to specialty spots like Ono Seafood and Maguro Brothers ($14-18). Plate lunch is the classic: two scoops rice, mac salad, and a protein like kalua pork or chicken katsu ($12-16). Shrimp trucks on the North Shore are legendary — Giovanni's and Romy's. Malasadas (Portuguese doughnuts) from Leonard's Bakery are a must. Spam musubi from any ABC Store is the quintessential Hawaiian snack ($2-3).