Aloha! Are you considering planning a trip to Hawaii? I am so excited for you already! Hawaii is an iconic vacation destination that really is unlike any other location in the world. The islands provide endless jaw dropping views, unique excursions, all the surfer vibes, incredible culture, and delicious food. I have countless itinerary items and travel tips to share with you. Let me save you hours of researching as I have already done it for you! Although Hawaii is not the cheapest destination, I will provide you with some tips on how to make this trip hurt your bank account a little less as well.

Accommodation

Many vacationers stay in Waikiki, and I recommend doing so. A stay in a Waikiki resort allows you to wake up and walk straight out to experience the morning island life. Bright and early, people are watching sunrise right on the beach, exercising along beautiful Kalākaua Avenue, conversing over coffee, and grabbing delicious fruit bowls. You will hear people say not to just see Waikiki Beach during your stay, but we are just on accommodation! Don’t worry, my itinerary has us enjoying Waikiki but also exploring the rest of the island. And of course, take what you want from this itinerary and personalize it as you wish.

I stayed at the Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort and Spa and have no complaints. It was a wonderful resort with a perfect location right on the beach and next to the action and the restaurants. When we visited, the World Cup soccer games were taking place, so we were able to watch the games on a big screen at the rooftop pool. Talk about iconic memories!

The resort has many included classes and amenities to enjoy. We took a lei making class, a ukulele lesson, a yoga class, and a traditional Hawaiian bracelet making class. We also ate shaved ice and attended a Mai Tai demonstration to learn about the history of the Mai Tai and taste the yummy cocktail. The resort fee also includes daily beach chair and boogie board rentals.

If you don’t ultimately stay in Waikiki Beach, be sure to visit this area during your vacation.

Transportation

Honolulu, Oahu is home to skyrises and endless buildings, so with the city comes plenty of transportation options. Many people make the mistake of getting a rental car for their whole time in Oahu which really isn’t necessary. If you stay at a nice resort, a good chunk of time will be spent enjoying your resort amenities and exploring the surrounding area while paying a hefty parking fee each night. I recommend using public transportation and then booking a rental car for just 1 or 2 days while you explore the North Shore.

Uber and Lyft rides are cheap and easy to come by on Oahu. From the airport, Ubers tend to be cheaper than taxis. We took the public bus from the airport to our resort in Waikiki which was easy and only costs $3 per person. TheBus is the bus system in Oahu, so check out their site to find routes and more information.

public bus information

If you too will be taking a bus from the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) to the Waikiki Beach area, head out of the airport after baggage claim, and you will find helpful stickers that point guests in the right direction for TheBus. The bus stop is located on Ala Onaona Street in front of the Lelepaua Station.

The clean public bus runs every 15 minutes and every 30 minutes after 7:00 PM. You can get the Transit app on your phone to see the bus routes and arrival times for convenience as well. You will need the W LINE Eastbound route to take you from the airport, through Downtown Honolulu, and to the last stop of Waikiki Beach. The westbound route on the same W LINE bus can take you from Waikiki to the airport for your departure.

TheBus cost us $3 per person. You can pay using exact change or get a Holo Card at one of the bus stations. Check their website for updated information on fares and passes.

My Itinerary Recommendations

Oahu genuinely has endless activities to engage in during your vacation. My itinerary and camera roll filled up on this trip. Literally, I had to keep trying to make room on my phone during my vacation so that I could continue snapping stunning photos. I was planning a trip with lots of adventure and some time for relaxation, so if you aren’t looking to be too active during your Hawaii paradise getaway, some of these excursions may not be for you. Here were my itinerary items for my time spent on Oahu:

Koko head stairs of doom

If you enjoy hiking, Oahu has iconic hikes with truly incredible views. On our first day in Oahu, we took on Koko Head which I have also heard the hike referred to as the “Stairs of Doom”. This hike is not for the weak or unstable. This adventure involves climbing 1,048 steps to the top of Koko Head Crater. At one point, the stairs become planks with nothing between the planks, so you see far down below your feet. Of course, this short duration of planks came in our hike when the rain started coming down, so we took this section very very carefully. There is an option to take a short bypass around the section of planks to avoid walking over this part. We opted to take the bypass route on the way down.

The hike took us approximately 2 hours. We are fit and in our 20s and took frequent breaks. The views up top looking over the island are stunning! If you do this hike, reward yourself with a long break taking in the views and resting before venturing back to sea level. My legs were not hurting going up, but my knees and legs felt it going down the stairs on the way back. Then, for the next 3 or 4 days, our legs were sore reminding us of how much we accomplished during that first day. I was surprised I was able to talk my husband into doing this hike with me. If you are feeling up for it, it really is an iconic and amazing hike to complete!

Explore waikiki beach

Waikiki Beach is the spot to be! Simply explore. Swim in the ocean, watch the surfers, check out the stores and boutiques, see the famous statues on the beach like the Duke Paoa Kahanamoku Statue, and eat some good food. Keep reading for a couple food and coffee shop recommendations.

experience the culture

Hawaii has such a rich and beautiful culture. During your stay, I recommend immersing yourself in it. For example, you can take a hula dancing class, a lei making class, a surfing lesson, or a ukulele lesson.

international market place

The International Market Place is a beautifully designed indoor/outdoor shopping center with stores, restaurants, and entertainment options. I recommend going to their Sunset Hula show that takes place in the center of the International Market Place on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 6:00 PM. During this 30-minute show, you can learn about some Hawaiian legends, listen to singing performances, and watch traditional hula dances.

Waikiki Fireworks

Every Friday night after the sun goes down, Waikiki puts on a firework show for the tourists and locals alike. The fireworks are set off from Hilton Hawaiian Village. We watched the fireworks from Fort DeRussy Beach Park, and I recommend this viewing spot! Other potential viewing spots include: Duke Kahanamoku Beach and Lagoon, Ala Wai Boat Harbor, and Magic Island at Ala Moana Park. Definitely arrive early to get good spots! I chose to swim during sunset and for the firework show which was such a fun and special memory.

pearl harbor

Pearl Harbor is a popular item to add to an Oahu itinerary as this location of Japan’s 1941 attack hosts history and provides a memorial to the lives lost during this surprising and dreadful day. There are museums and special programs that can be paid for, but you can also go to the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center for free. There is no charge to enter the National Park, but there is a $7 parking fee. For free, you can see the USS Arizona Memorial, read about the history of Pearl Harbor, walk through 2 museum rooms with items and information, and honor the memorials they have for those who lost their lives. Pearl Harbor is open from 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM, so plan your day accordingly.

Ho’omaluhia botanical garden

Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden provides unbelievable backdrops that you just have to see with your own eyes. The entrance is lined with palm trees as you drive toward the lush and jagged mountains. This entryway is certainly Instagram-famous, and that is why the park prohibits people from stopping and taking pictures on this road. Besides jaw dropping views, the park has trails for hiking and ponds to visit. And the park is free! Doesn’t get much better than that.

Most people drive through Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden and that was my original plan, but my one mistake during this trip was having a rental car and planning on visiting the botanical garden on the one day they were closed… So to avoid this mistake on your end, know that Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden is closed on Thursdays!

The park is open from 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM to vehicle traffic. The locals gave me the inside scoop though! People can enter the park early in the morning (think like 7:00-7:30 AM) to exercise. Somebody was at the gate saying the park opened at 9:00, but after telling her that we heard we could enter the park to exercise by foot prior, she let us in. Since we didn’t have our rental car this day, we had an Uber drop us off and pick us up around our lush morning hike, so it worked out after all. We didn’t see the full extent of the park, but we were content with seeing the iconic entryway and walking about 20 minutes each way into the visitor center area.

Lanikai Beach

Lanikai Beach is a beautiful beach to spend some time at. Supposedly it is a popular spot for seeing sea turtles, but I did not see any. I got lucky in Kauai and saw sea turtles there though! Be aware that Lanikai Beach doesn’t have a parking lot, so we parked at Kailua Beach Park and walked 15 minutes to Lanikai Beach. Kailua Beach Park is a stunning park to enjoy as well. The landscape is incredible, and we watched kite surfers flying in the island winds here.

Drive h3

With a rental car, I recommend driving H3 or Highway 3 as it is a scenic drive. This interstate was the most expensive and complex U.S. highway project that has been completed. The locals recommend driving this route at least once during your visit.

north shore

Slow yourself down and take in the views as you drive up to the North Shore for at least one day during your stay in Oahu. There are beautiful beaches to explore such as Turtle Bay and Sunset Beach. Shark’s Cove is a popular snorkeling spot, and Hale’iwa is a cute little surf town with shops and good eats right along the water.

search for rainbows

Hawaii really earned it’s title of the “rainbow state”, because we saw a rainbow every single day we were on Oahu. Quick rain showers are common on the island, so pack accordingly and keep your eyes peeled for wonderful photo opportunities!

Additional Itinerary Recommendations

Oahu has so much to offer that I didn’t even have time to see and do everything that I had researched. Below are additional itinerary items to consider that I personally did not complete during my stay.

attend a luau

I did not attend a luau on Oahu as I already had one booked for my time on Kauai after Oahu. But if you are staying on one island for your trip, the island of Oahu, consider visiting a traditional luau because when in Hawaii… It is a memorable event to indulge in delicious local food and traditional entertainment in the form of hula dancing, fire throwing, or other surprise performances.

additional hikes

Like I said, Hawaii is the place for iconic hikes! If I had more time or visit Oahu again in the future, I would hike Diamond Head Crater and the Makapu’u Lighthouse Trail. I would also complete the Lanikai Pillbox Trail Hike.

Hanauma bay

Hanauma Bay was a place we considered visiting as it is a popular snorkeling destination, but we opted out as there are mixed reviews on Hanauma Bay. This pretty cove draws tourists for good reasons, but it has led to tight crowds and suffering coral reefs from having so many visitors. A visit to Hanauma Bay requires advance booking that opens 2 days prior to your ideal date as well. The booking opens at 7:00 AM HST and supposedly sells out within minutes. Entry costs $25 per person, and the bay is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Because of the booking process, price, and mixed reviews, we didn’t visit. But you may be interested in the excursion as it is popular among tourists.

Kualoa ranch

Kualoa Ranch is a nature preserve that is a famous destination as movies have been filmed here such as Jurassic Park. There are countless unique excursions that you can book here as well including movie tours, ATV rides, horseback riding, ziplining, and biking tours. We drove by Kualoa Ranch on our North Shore day and saw the iconic backdrop, but did not pay for an excursion.

Food & Beverage

Part of the fun of visiting a new place is indulging in the local cuisine. Shaved ice in Hawaii is a must and can easily be found all over the island! Also, Loco Moco is a local dish consisting of rice, a beef patty, eggs, and gravy. Below, I will include some specific coffee shops and food options to consider.

coffee shops

There are endless coffee shop options especially if you are staying in Waikiki. Island Vintage Coffee is an upscale coffee shop that has several locations scattered around the Hawaiian islands.

The Hawaiian Aroma located in Waikiki Beach is decorated so cute. I thought the wall of flippers was so fun and unique. Hawaiian Aroma offers delightful specialty coffee options and baked goods.

sunrise shack

For your island acai bowl or fruit bowl, head to Sunrise Shack. You can’t miss the bright and happy yellow buildings scattered around the island. There are several locations, but after looking at pictures, we visited the Sunrise Shack near Shark’s Cove on our North Shore day because look how cute and aesthetic the outdoor space is! I was smiling and eating my refreshing fruit bowl surrounded by surfers and little baby chicks following their mama.

piko Kitchen + Bar

Piko Kitchen + Bar easily gets the award for most delicious and best happy hour deal! Food and well… everything gets expensive in Hawaii and especially Waikiki, so a happy hour dinner enticed my husband and I. Piko has an amazing happy hour menu, and it was so delicious that we went back a second time! During happy hour, which is 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM daily, you can get $5 french fries that are so tasty and discounts on drinks. Additionally, you can order $6 bao buns, burgers, fish sandwiches, and hot honey chicken sandwiches. It was all so tasty! My husband and I both loaded up on happy hour food and still spent the cost of what one meal would cost elsewhere in Waikiki. I will now be craving Piko when it is out of reach… 100% recommend!

Surf N Salsa

If you find yourself on the North Shore of Oahu, I recommend visiting Surf N Salsa. Surf N Salsa has delicious Mexican food and has a fun atmosphere. The outdoor restaurant is surrounded by palm trees and cute decor touches.

Leonard’s Bakery

Leonard’s Bakery is the place to go for all your baked goods! Leonard’s is a popular spot, so expect a line! They have their main location not too far from Waikiki Beach, but they also have a food truck closer to Koko Head. I recommend trying a malasada! Malasadas are very popular in Hawaii. They originate from Portugal. We chose a malasada with coconut filling. It was very tasty!

foodland

If you have gone down the rabbit hole of Instagram reels or TikTok videos about Hawaii, you have probably seen people recommending to buy food from Foodland. Specifically, the poke bowls are what everybody says to order. A poke bowl consists of raw fish tossed in sauce on a bed of rice. There are many options to choose from at Foodland and a bowl only costs about $8. Poke is a popular choice in Hawaii. I wanted to like it but personally couldn’t get over the texture or idea of raw fish. I gotta keep it real with ya, but I know most people love them!

Budget Friendly Tips

Everybody knows that a trip to Hawaii adds up quickly. Remind yourself, money comes back and time doesn’t. The trip will be so amazing and the memories and pictures will last! As always though, I purpose to cut down the costs when possible, so here are some tips to consider.

enjoy free excursions

Don’t fill your itinerary with numerous expensive excursions, because there are so many free activities to enjoy such as hiking, having beach days, and enjoying free events like the Waikiki Friday night fireworks and the hula shows at the International Market Place.

Save on food and drinks

Meals at restaurants in Waikiki cost about $25-$30 per person without cocktails, so the outing adds up quick! As mentioned above, Piko Kitchen + Bar has the best happy hour deals, but there are countless other restaurants that offer happy hour deals too. I was surprised that the happy hours deals were available daily including weekends. Buying food and drinks from places such as Foodland will obviously help reduce your costs as well.

accommodation options

If you are not wanting to pay resort prices, there are hostel options on Oahu. Some hostel options in the Waikiki Beach area include: The Beach Waikiki Hostel by ALOH, Honu Waikiki by ALOH, and Waikiki Beachside Hostel.

transportation

You can easily save money during your Oahu stay based on the transportation options you choose. As mentioned above, I recommend getting a car rental for just 1 or 2 days. I recommend using the public bus from the airport to your hotel if you are staying in Waikiki as it costs $3 per person instead of the $40-$50 Uber or taxi that it would have been.

Conclusion

If you visit Oahu, you are in for a treat! Any trip to the Hawaiian islands is sure to be memorable! I hope the itinerary ideas and travel tips are useful for you. If you have any questions while planning your trip, drop them in the comment section!

Cheers to making the Hawaii bucket list trip happen and making connections around the world! During my trip to Hawaii, I visited Oahu, Kauai, and Maui, so look for the other blog posts if you are interested. To check out my other blog posts, head to the destinations tab on my website. Thanks for stopping by!