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Daniel K. Inouye International Airport to Honolulu — Transport Guide 2026

Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) is about 5 km (3 miles) north-west of downtown Honolulu. TheBus W Line runs from the airport to Downtown, Kakaako, Ala Moana Center and Waikiki, and Skyline trains stop at Lelepaua Station next to the airport. Taxis wait on the baggage claim level.

HNL5 km to cityUSDNorth America
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Last updated: 2026-10

Built from the operators' own pages listed under Sources, read on 3 October 2026.

60 seconds before you land
54 s audio briefing · AI narration · from the sources below
Read the transcript

Sixty seconds before you land in Honolulu.

The airport is about five kilometres from downtown, and Waikiki is one bus away.

TheBus W Line runs to Downtown, Ala Moana Center and Waikiki: three dollars twenty-five in exact cash, or three dollars on a HOLO card. The stop is east of the lei stands, in front of Lelepaua Station.

Luggage on the bus is one medium suitcase and one small carry-on, kept under or in front of your seat.

Skyline trains leave from Lelepaua Station too, with free transfers to the bus within two hours.

Or take a taxi from the baggage claim level of any terminal.

Fares from the operators' pages, read on the third of October 2026. Aloha, and welcome to Honolulu.

Cheapest
TheBus W Line to Waikiki: $3.25 cash or $3.00 with HOLO
Fastest
Taxi or ride-share from the baggage claim level

Every transport option compared

TheBus W Line to Downtown, Kakaako, Ala Moana Center and Waikiki

bus · Best for: Waikiki on a budget
Cost
$3.25 cash (exact change); $3.00 2-hour pass on a HOLO card
Time
Not listed by the airport
Frequency
Weekdays every 10 minutes at peak, 15 off-peak, 30 after 7pm; weekends every 15 minutes, 30 after 7pm
The stop is east of the lei stands on Ala Onaona Street, in front of Lelepaua Station. One medium suitcase plus one small carry-on, which must fit under or in front of your seat.

Skyline rail from Lelepaua Station

metro · Best for: West Oahu stations
Cost
$3.00 2-hour pass on a HOLO card (cash not accepted)
Time
Not listed by the airport
Frequency
Every 10 minutes 4:00–8:30am and pm; every 15 minutes 8:30–10:30pm
HOLO cards ($2.00) are sold at the machine in Lelepaua Station. Free transfers to TheBus within 2 hours. Daily cap $7.50.

TheBus Route 42 (late night)

bus · Best for: Ewa Beach late at night
Cost
$3.25 cash; $3.00 on a HOLO card
Time
Not listed by the airport
Frequency
After 10:30pm only; one eastbound trip a day to Waikiki

Taxi

taxi · Best for: Door-to-door with luggage
Cost
Not listed by the airport
Time
Depends on traffic
Frequency
On demand
Taxis and limousines wait on the baggage claim (ground) level of every terminal.

Pre-book a fixed-price transfer

No queues, no scam risk. Driver meets you inside arrivals with your name. Price locked before you fly.

Getting out of Honolulu (HNL)

Skip the taxi rank and lock in your fare before you land.

Pre-book a fixed-price transfer

Our pick

Driver waits at arrivals with your name, tracks your flight, and the price you see is the price you pay. English-speaking, fixed price. No surge, no haggling at 2am.

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Frequently asked

How far is Daniel K. Inouye International Airport from Honolulu?
Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) is 5 km from Honolulu city centre.
What is the cheapest way from HNL to Honolulu?
TheBus W Line to Waikiki: $3.25 cash or $3.00 with HOLO
What is the fastest way from HNL to Honolulu?
Taxi or ride-share from the baggage claim level

Sources

Read on 3 October 2026. Fares and timetables change; check with the operator before you travel.