Honolulu

Hawaii's capital and largest city sits on Oʻahu's southeast coast, with Waikīkī beach, Diamond Head and Pearl Harbor among the main draws.

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Honolulu is the capital and largest city of Hawaii, on the southeast coast of Oʻahu. Its name means roughly sheltered harbor or calm port in Hawaiian. It is the westernmost and southernmost major U.S. city, and one of the most remote major cities in the world, so reaching it means a long flight across the Pacific.

The city blends Asian, Western and Pacific cultures, which shows in its food, traditions and population. Waikīkī is the main tourist district, between the Ala Wai Canal and the ocean next to Diamond Head, and most of Oʻahu's hotel rooms are there. Downtown is the financial and government center, and the Capitol District holds the State Capitol and ʻIolani Palace. Pearl Harbor lies west of the city. Most rain falls from October through early April, and summer sees little rain, with highs usually 80 to 90 °F (27 to 32 °C).

Honolulu in five

Reserve Diamond Head before you flyNon-residents need a timed reservation on the Hawaii State Parks site. At last check, entry was $5 per person and parking $10 per vehicle for non-residents.Diamond Head, Hanauma Bay and Pearl Harbor
Book Hanauma Bay two days outThe preserve is closed Mondays and Tuesdays and takes online reservations. Non-resident adults pay $25, plus a short education video before you enter.
Book USS Arizona Memorial on Recreation.govAdmission is free, with a $1 booking fee on Recreation.gov. Bags are not allowed in the memorial or visitor center, so leave them behind or use the paid storage.
Base in Waikīkī or Ala MoanaWaikīkī suits a first trip with beach and walking, and Ala Moana and Kakaʻako suit food and shopping. Book months ahead for school holidays and December.Where to stay in Honolulu
Skip the car in townTheBus, rideshare and walking cover Waikīkī, Ala Moana and Downtown, and hotel parking is costly. Rent a car only for the North Shore or windward side.

Things to do in Honolulu

See all attractions in Honolulu

A bronze statue of a woman standing against a plain white wall

Museum · HonoluluHonolulu Museum of Art (HoMA)Set aside two to three hours if you want to explore the galleries at an unhurried pace.

Shopping · HonoluluChinatown Hawaiian Market

Museum · HonoluluChildren's Discovery CenterOn weekdays, aim for late morning after school field-trip groups have left; weekends can get busier later in the day.

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to HonoluluPut the places you like in Honolulu on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Airport: Daniel K. Inouye International (HNL), 20 to 30 min to Waikīkī
Getting there: Direct flights from many US cities; inter-island flights
Getting around: TheBus, rideshare and walking; car for the north and east shores
Best base: Waikīkī for first trips; Ala Moana for shops and food
Time needed: 3 to 5 days; more with other islands

Weather by month

Rainy days

Best

JanuaryPartly cloudy7 rainy daysHigh25°Low21°Whale season
FebruaryPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh24°Low20°Whale season
MarchPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh25°Low21°Whale season
AprilRain12 rainy daysHigh26°Low22°Warm, dry
MayPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh26°Low22°Warm, dry
JunePartly cloudy7 rainy daysHigh27°Low23°Hot, busy
JulyPartly cloudy7 rainy daysHigh28°Low23°Hot, busy
AugustPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh28°Low24°Hot, busy
SeptemberPartly cloudy7 rainy daysHigh29°Low24°Hot, quieter
OctoberPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh28°Low23°Warm, quieter
NovemberPartly cloudy6 rainy daysHigh26°Low23°Rain returns
DecemberPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh25°Low21°Holiday peak

Average daily high and low in Honolulu, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Honolulu

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 20°
Humidity: 75%
Wind: 40 km/h
Chance of rain: 0%

Hawaii

10:36 AM

Monday, November 2

GMT-10

Today27°23°0%Monday: Drizzle. High 27°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 0%.
Tue27°23°2%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 27°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 2%.
Wed27°23°24%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 27°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 24%.
Thu27°23°15%Thursday: Drizzle. High 27°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 15%.
Fri28°22°4%Friday: Drizzle. High 28°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 4%.
Sat27°22°4%Saturday: Drizzle. High 27°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 4%.

Updated 06:11 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 EUR = 1.116 USD

Amount

Converted to

USD · US Dollar

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

Day trips by train

North Shoreabout 1 hour by carSurf beaches, Haleʻiwa and shrimp trucks; best in summer for swimming.
Kailuaabout 30 minutes by carWindward beaches and kayaking across the Pali.Read the guide
Mauiabout 40 minutes by flightHaleakalā and beaches; plan at least two nights if you add it.Read the guide

Before you go to Honolulu

Hotels in Waikīkī and Ala MoanaCompare areas before you bookCheck availability

Pearl Harbor and island toursGuided options with transportCompare tours

eSIM for the USAData on landing, no SIM swapRead the guide

Travel insurance for the USMedical cover for visitorsRead the guide

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Rules for Honolulu, checked

Diamond Head: non-residents need a reservation; entry is $5 per person and parking $10 per vehicle. Open daily 6am to 6pm.Checked Oct 1, 2026 · Source
Hanauma Bay: closed Mondays and Tuesdays; reservations required; non-resident adults pay $25 and parking is $3.Checked Oct 1, 2026 · Source
USS Arizona Memorial: admission is free; a $1 booking fee applies on Recreation.gov; bags are not permitted.Checked Oct 1, 2026 · Source

All Honolulu guides

Head to headHow many days in Honolulu, and when to add another islandChecked Oct 1, 2026

How toHonolulu reservations: Diamond Head, Hanauma Bay, Pearl HarborChecked Oct 1, 2026

Where to stayWhere to stay in Honolulu: Waikīkī, Ala Moana, Downtown or KāhalaChecked Oct 1, 2026

Plan around Honolulu

All of the USA

Parks, cities, entry rules and money for a US trip

Read the guide Hawaii

Choosing islands and booking reservation-only sights

Read the guide ESTA explained

Who needs it, what it costs and how to apply

Read the guide

Honolulu FAQ

Is Honolulu worth visiting?

Yes. It combines Waikīkī and beaches with Diamond Head, Pearl Harbor, museums and good food. It is busier than the other islands, so add a quieter island if you want a slower pace.

How many days do you need in Honolulu?

Three to five days covers the beach, Diamond Head, Pearl Harbor and a day on the North Shore or windward side. Add days for a rental car trip around Oʻahu.

Do you need a car in Honolulu?

Not for Waikīkī, Ala Moana and Downtown, where walking, TheBus and rideshare cover most needs. Rent one for a day or two for the North Shore and the east coast.

Where should I stay in Honolulu?

Waikīkī for first trips and the beach, Ala Moana and Kakaʻako for food and shopping, and Downtown for budget and history. Kāhala suits quiet, upscale stays.

Do you need reservations for Diamond Head?

Yes, for non-residents. Book a timed reservation on the Hawaii State Parks site before you go. Entry was $5 per person and parking $10 per vehicle for non-residents at the last check of the official page.