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Honolulu itinerary

7 days, hour by hour · USAOctober–May

Days
7
Stops
34
Per day
≈ $199
First stop
06:30

By TripWalkers · Updated:

Short answer

The TripWalkers Honolulu itinerary runs 7 days and lays out 34 stops, hour by hour, for October–May. The first three days:

  1. Day 1 Waikiki and Diamond Head
  2. Day 2 Pearl Harbor and downtown
  3. Day 3 East coast: Hanauma and Lanikai

Staying less? Start with the first days — TripWalkers uses the opening days of this plan for shorter trips too. Days 3, 4 and 5 are day trips out of the city. Food, entry fees and local transport come to about $199 a day (excluding accommodation and flights).

Day 1 · 06:30–19:30

Waikiki and Diamond Head

  1. Nature

    Diamond Head State Monument

    The crater climb is 1.3 km (steps and a tunnel). It opens at 06:00, and foreign visitors must book 30 days ahead. 5 USD, best at sunrise.

    ≈ $5 per person

  2. Food

    Leonard's Bakery

    Serving malasada (Portuguese doughnuts) since 1952. Eat them hot, and expect a queue.

    ≈ $8 per person
  3. 30 min · travel, break, free time

  4. Nature

    Waikiki Beach

    See the Duke Kahanamoku statue. Take a surf lesson (75 USD) or try an outrigger canoe. Kuhio Beach is calmer.

    Free
  5. 1 h · travel, break, free time

  6. Food

    Marukame Udon Waikiki

    Cheap, fresh udon. The queue moves fast.

    ≈ $12 per person
  7. 4 h · travel, break, free time

  8. Nature

    Waikiki Sunset at Kapahulu Groin

    Watch the sunset from Duke's bar or the pier. On Fridays at 19:45 there are fireworks at the Hilton.

    Free
Plan B — if it's crowded or closed (2)
  • Duke's WaikikiBeach bar with hula pie, and a good sunset spot.
  • Honolulu Zoo & Kapiolani ParkA park and zoo at the end of Waikiki, a good alternative to the beach.

Day 2 · 07:30–16:30

Pearl Harbor and downtown

  1. Culture

    Pearl Harbor National Memorial

    Book the boat programme to the USS Arizona Memorial on recreation.gov (1 USD). Slots open 8 weeks ahead at 08:00 HST and sell out. Bags are not allowed. Take bus 20 or 42.

    ≈ $1 per person

  2. Culture

    USS Missouri Battleship

    The deck where Japan surrendered. A shuttle runs from Ford Island.

    ≈ $35 per person
  3. 45 min · travel, break, free time

  4. Culture

    Iolani Palace

    The only royal palace in the US. See Queen Liliuokalani's prison room, and take the audio guide.

    ≈ $27 per person

  5. Landmark

    Chinatown Honolulu

    Browse the lei (flower garland) shops and Maunakea market. Come back for The Pig and the Lady in the evening.

    Free

  6. Food

    Tamashiro Market

    A pink fish market in Kalihi. Try a poke (raw tuna) bowl, and bring cash.

    ≈ $15 per person
Plan B — if it's crowded or closed (2)
  • The Pig and the Lady ChinatownVietnamese-Hawaiian fusion. Try the pho at lunch.
  • Bishop MuseumHawaiian and Pacific culture, with feathered cloaks and a planetarium. An alternative to the palace.

Day 3 · 07:00–17:30Day trip

East coast: Hanauma and Lanikai

  1. Nature

    Hanauma Bay

    A snorkelling reserve inside a crater. Book online 2 days ahead at 07:00 HST; slots vanish in seconds. Closed Monday and Tuesday. 25 USD plus 3 USD parking. Turtles and fish.

    ≈ $25 per person
  2. 1 h 15 min · travel, break, free time

  3. Nature

    Makapuu Lighthouse Trail

    A 3 km paved path to the lighthouse. Look for whales (December to April) and views of Rabbit Island.

    Free
  4. 30 min · travel, break, free time

  5. Food

    Kalapawai Market Kailua

    Beach market in Kailua with sandwiches, open since 1932.

    ≈ $15 per person

  6. Nature

    Lanikai Beach

    One of the world's most beautiful beaches: turquoise water and the Mokulua Islands. Kayaks for rent. Parking is hard, so walk.

    Free
  7. 30 min · travel, break, free time

  8. Nature

    Lanikai Pillbox Hike

    A steep 30-minute climb up Kaiwa Ridge. Bunker views, and good at sunset.

    Free
Plan B — if it's crowded or closed (2)
  • Kailua BeachLanikai's wider neighbour, with easy parking.
  • Buzz's LanikaiA steakhouse opposite the beach since 1962, and a favourite of Obama.

Day 4 · 10:00–18:30Day trip

North Shore

  1. Landmark

    Haleiwa Town

    A surf town. Try shave ice at Matsumoto Shave Ice (1951), and expect a queue.

    Free

  2. Nature

    Laniakea Turtle Beach

    Green sea turtles come ashore here. Stay 3 m away; volunteers are on hand.

    Free

  3. Food

    Giovanni's Shrimp Truck Kahuku

    The legendary truck for garlic shrimp plates, in Kahuku. Bring cash.

    ≈ $16 per person

  4. Nature

    Waimea Bay

    Giant winter waves (November to February). Watch the surf competitions at Sunset and Pipeline.

    Free
  5. 1 h · travel, break, free time

  6. Nature

    Sunset Beach

    Come for the sunset. It is next to Pipeline, with surfers in the water.

    Free
Plan B — if it's crowded or closed (2)
  • Ted's Bakery Sunset BeachChocolate haupia (coconut) pie and plate lunch.
  • Waimea ValleyA botanical valley with swimming at the waterfall (life jacket provided). An alternative to the bay.

Day 5 · 08:30–17:15Day trip

Kualoa and the Windward side

  1. Nature

    Kualoa Ranch

    The Jurassic Park valley. Book a UTV, horse or bus film tour online. Take in Kaaawa Valley and views of Chinaman's Hat.

    ≈ $55 per person

  2. Nature

    Kualoa Regional Park

    A public park opposite Chinaman's Hat (Mokolii). Good for a picnic.

    Free
  3. 30 min · travel, break, free time

  4. Culture

    Byodo-In Temple

    A replica of Kyoto's Byodo-In, at the foot of the Koolau Mountains. Look for the bell and koi.

    ≈ $5 per person

  5. Nature

    Ho'omaluhia Botanical Garden

    A free garden with views of the mountain wall. The famous road photo is not allowed, so go on foot.

    Free
  6. 45 min · travel, break, free time

  7. Food

    Ono Seafood Kapahulu

    The city's best poke. Order the shoyu ahi, and bring cash.

    ≈ $16 per person
Plan B — if it's crowded or closed (2)
  • Waiahole Poi FactoryA traditional Hawaiian plate (kalua pork, poi, laulau), next to Kualoa.
  • Nuuanu Pali LookoutA windswept cliff view and the site of the 1795 battle. A good stop on the way back instead of the garden.

Day 6 · 08:30–20:30

Manoa and luau

  1. Nature

    Manoa Falls Trail

    A 2.5 km rainforest walk to a 45 m waterfall. Expect mud, and spot the Lost set.

    ≈ $7 per person
  2. 1 h 30 min · travel, break, free time

  3. Food

    Waiola Shave Ice

    Shave ice since 1940. Try the Obama Rainbow, in Kapahulu.

    ≈ $6 per person

  4. Food

    KCC Farmers Market

    Saturday farmers market below Diamond Head. On other days, see the Kakaako murals (SALT).

    ≈ $15 per person
  5. 30 min · travel, break, free time

  6. Nature

    Ala Moana Beach Park

    The locals' beach, with calm, reef-protected water. Watch the sunset at Magic Island.

    Free
  7. 1 h 30 min · travel, break, free time

  8. Culture

    Luau Evening Waikiki Starlight

    Hawaiian dance, fire knife and kalua pork, at the Hilton or Paradise Cove (Ko Olina).

    ≈ $150 per person
Plan B — if it's crowded or closed (2)
  • Highway Inn KakaakoHawaiian food since 1947. Try the laulau and pipikaula.
  • Kakaako SALT MuralsThe POW! WOW! graffiti district, an alternative to the market.

Day 7 · 07:30–13:15

Morning swim and a gentle farewell

  1. Nature

    Kaimana Beach Sans Souci

    The quiet end of Waikiki. Locals swim here, with views of Diamond Head.

    Free

  2. Food

    Koko Head Cafe

    Lee Anne Wong's brunch spot in Kaimuki. Order the cornflake French toast.

    ≈ $25 per person
  3. 30 min · travel, break, free time

  4. Shopping

    Ala Moana Center

    An open-air mall for souvenirs (Kona coffee, macadamia nuts) and Foodland poke.

    Free
  5. 30 min · travel, break, free time

  6. Landmark

    HNL Airport Taxi

    25 minutes by Uber. There is an agricultural check (no fruit), then farewell.

    ≈ $40 per person
Plan B — if it's crowded or closed (2)
  • Foodland Ala Moana PokeA supermarket poke counter. Have a farewell bowl.
  • Ala Moana Beach MorningA long beach run, instead of Kaimana.

Good to know: 6 things that make a Honolulu trip easier

  1. You need a hire car (North Shore and Kualoa). Parking in Waikiki costs 40 USD a night. TheBus costs 3 USD (Pearl Harbor 20/42). An Uber from the airport costs 35-45 USD.
  2. Winter temperatures are 24-27°C. The North Shore has giant waves (watch from the shore), whales are around from December to April, and January to February is rainy. Christmas and New Year are the most expensive.
  3. Bookings: Diamond Head (30 days ahead), Hanauma (2 days ahead at 07:00 HST), Pearl Harbor (8 weeks ahead, 1 USD). You will need an ESTA visa waiver.
  4. Poke 12-16 USD, plate lunch 15 USD, shave ice 6 USD, malasada 2 USD, luau 150-200 USD. Tip 18-20% and add 4.7% tax. It is an expensive island.
  5. Reef-friendly sunscreen is required (oxybenzone is banned). Keep 3 m from turtles and seals, or risk a fine. Aloha and mahalo.
  6. Try Kona coffee, macadamia nuts, spam musubi (from 7-Eleven) and loco moco. Look out for the Zippy's chain.

Spending: ≈ $1,400 per person for 7 days

  • Food$520
  • Entry and tours$400
  • Local transport$350
  • Other$120

Excludes accommodation and flights. 2026 price estimate, per person.

We did the planning. You just pick the dates.

TripWalkers rebuilds this route around your number of days, budget and pace — on a map, day by day, in your pocket.

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Your next trip

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Frequently asked questions

How many days do you need in Honolulu?

This itinerary is built for 7 days. With 3 days, do the first 3 — TripWalkers uses the opening days of the plan for shorter trips too. The day trip is on day 3, 4 and 5; skip it on a short stay.

How much does a day in Honolulu cost?

In this plan, food, entry fees and local transport come to about $199 per person per day. Accommodation and flights are not included. Figures are 2026 estimates.

What time should you start the day in Honolulu?

The first stop is at 06:30. Most days start early so you arrive before the crowds, and evenings end with dinner.

Which season is this itinerary for?

This page covers October–May. There is a separate plan for June–September: opening hours, the sea and the weather change the route.