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Honolulu

Honolulu travel guide

Capital and largest city in Hawaii, US

Flights from$1,275 round trip
Things to do47 experiences
Best time to visitFebruary to March, June to July, September and November to December
Nearest airportHNL · 4 mi from centre
Time zoneUTC−10
Population350,964

About Honolulu

Honolulu is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Hawaii, located in the Pacific Ocean. It is the county seat of the consolidated City and County of Honolulu, situated along the southeast coast of the island of Oʻahu. The population of Honolulu was 350,964 at the 2020 census, dropping to an estimated 341,868 by 2025. The Urban Honolulu metropolitan area had an estimated population of just under 1 million residents in 2024 and is the 56th-largest metropolitan area in the nation.

Cheap flights to Honolulu

The lowest round-trip fare found by Destina Holidays travellers in the last 30 days was $1,275 from Glasgow, travelling 1 Nov – 30 Nov. These are the cheapest fares from the most searched cities.

Cheapest month to fly

$1,584 Oct $1,275 Nov $1,505 Dec $1,374 Jan $1,566 Feb $1,696 Mar $1,510 Apr $1,622 May $1,758 Jun $2,043 Jul $2,463 Aug $2,036 Sep

Airlines travellers compared most often: Aer Lingus, Finnair.

Prices are per adult in US dollars, taken from searches between 20 Sep and 20 Oct 2026. Fares change often, so search your dates for live prices.

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Things to do in Honolulu by type

47 tours, tickets and experiences across 11 categories. Pick a type to see what is available for your dates.

How long
  • 3-6 hours 10
  • 1-3 hours 9
  • Up to 1 hour 7
  • Over 6 hours 6
  • Flexible 3
Good for
  • Couples 3
  • Families 3
  • Youth 3
  • Senior 2
Ways to go
  • Shore excursions 22
  • Private 6
  • Small group 3
Browse all things to do in Honolulu

Top experiences in Honolulu

Tours, tickets and experiences you can book with Destina Holidays, from 47 available.

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Best time to visit Honolulu

Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Honolulu is February to March, June to July, September and November to December, when average daytime highs are around 78–86°F and rain falls on about 8 days a month.

MonthTemperature (°F)Rain days
Jan 66° – 78° 13
Feb 66° – 78° 8
Mar 68° – 79° 10
Apr 69° – 80° 18
May 70° – 81° 17
Jun 72° – 83° 7
Jul 73° – 84° 7
Aug 74° – 85° 8
Sep 73° – 86° 6
Oct 73° – 84° 9
Nov 71° – 82° 10
Dec 69° – 80° 8

Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.

Honolulu weather forecast

  • Wed 21 Oct 83° 73° 16%
  • Thu 22 Oct 84° 72° 11%
  • Fri 23 Oct 85° 71° 12%
  • Sat 24 Oct 84° 71° 7%
  • Sun 25 Oct 82° 70° 16%

Know before you go

Currency
United States dollar (USD)
Language
English
Calling code
+1
Driving
On the right
Time zone
Pacific/HonoluluUTC−10
Capital
Washington, D.C.

Upcoming public holidays in United States

  • Veterans Day
  • Thanksgiving Day
  • Christmas Day
  • New Year's Day
  • Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
  • Presidents DayWashington's Birthday

Banks, offices and some attractions may close on public holidays, and flights and hotels often fill up early around them.

Getting to Honolulu

These are the airports closest to central Honolulu. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.

  • HNL Daniel K. Inouye International Airport4 mi (7 km) from the city centre
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Getting around Honolulu

Unlike many cities on the U.S. mainland, Honolulu is not laid out in a strict compass-point grid. Its street system conforms in large part to the shorelines, valleys, and ridges, with lots of twists and turns. It can be confusing for people used to straight grid systems. However, at the same time, it is not that difficult to navigate in, as long as you are familiar with the major arterials and terminology below.

Rules of the road

There are a few rules to take note of, especially if you come from a foreign country and are not used to driving in the United States:

Major arterials

Most major streets in Honolulu run Ewa–Diamond Head (as described in the preceding section, roughly east-west). There are two main highways in Honolulu: Nimitz Highway (Hawaii 92) which runs from Pearl Harbor past Honolulu Airport to downtown Honolulu and Waikiki; and Interstate H-1 which runs mauka (mountain-ward) of downtown and runs the entire length of the south shore of Oahu.

Traffic

Traffic in Honolulu, and on Oahu in general (in particular the southern shore), is a persistent problem. In fact, Honolulu's rush hour has been ranked among the worst in the nation. There are almost one million people living in a relatively small space, and only a few main routes connecting the major populated areas on the island to each other and to downtown Honolulu. As a result, a single traffic incident has the potential to induce gridlock across the entire island.

Honolulu travel FAQ

When is the best time to visit Honolulu?

Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Honolulu is February to March, June to July, September and November to December, when average daytime highs are around 78–86°F and rain falls on about 8 days a month.

What is the weather like in Honolulu?

September is usually the warmest month in Honolulu, with average highs of 86°F (30°C). February is the coolest, with average lows of 66°F (19°C). The wettest month is typically January, with about 123 mm of rain.

Which airport is closest to Honolulu?

Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) is the closest airport, about 4 miles (7 km) from the centre of Honolulu.

How much are flights to Honolulu?

The cheapest round-trip fare Destina Holidays travellers found to Honolulu in the last 30 days was $1,275 from Glasgow, travelling 1 Nov – 30 Nov. November is currently the cheapest month to fly, with fares from $1,275.

What time zone is Honolulu in?

Honolulu uses the Pacific/Honolulu time zone (currently UTC−10). Remember to check for daylight saving changes when planning connecting flights.

How do I get around Honolulu?

Unlike many cities on the U.S. mainland, Honolulu is not laid out in a strict compass-point grid. Its street system conforms in large part to the shorelines, valleys, and ridges, with lots of twists and turns. It can be confusing for people used to straight grid systems.

What are the top things to do in Honolulu?

Popular experiences you can book in Honolulu include Pearl Harbor, Arizona Memorial, Honolulu, and Diamond Head Lookout or Punchbowl - Small Group, Arizona Memorial, Missouri Battleship and Honolulu City Tour and Explore Royal Crown of Oahu - Helicopter Tour. Destina Holidays offers 47 tours and activities here.

What kinds of tours and activities can I book in Honolulu?

The most popular types of experiences in Honolulu are outdoor activities & adventure (12), city tours (8), air, helicopter & balloon tours (7) and zoo, aquarium & nature (6). Filter by type when you search to compare prices and availability for your dates.