how to get to the north shore of oahu from waikiki and honolulu
Everything you need to know to reach Oʻahu’s laid-back, surf-soaked north coast
When you think of Oʻahu’s North Shore, you probably picture massive waves, laid-back surf towns, and shrimp trucks under the palms. It’s the opposite of busy Waikiki — slow, sun-kissed, and effortlessly cool.
If you’re staying in Waikiki or Honolulu and want to experience this legendary coastline for a day (or more), here’s your complete guide to getting to the North Shore — including all your transport options and insider tips.
Where is the North Shore?
The North Shore refers to the northern coast of Oʻahu, centered around the town of Haleʻiwa and stretching east and west to include famous beaches like:
- Waimea Bay
- Banzai Pipeline
- Sunset Beach
- Shark’s Cove
- Turtle Bay Resort area
From Waikiki or Honolulu, it’s about 35–45 miles to Haleʻiwa — a trip that takes 1 to 1.5 hours, depending on traffic and your mode of transport.
Option 1: Drive Yourself (Most Convenient)
Best for: Flexibility, beach hopping, full-day trips, photo stops, families
Directions from Waikiki:
- Get on H-1 West
- Merge onto H-2 North toward Wahiawā
- Exit onto Kamehameha Highway (Route 99/83) toward Haleʻiwa and the North Shore
- Follow signs through pineapple fields and arrive in Haleʻiwa in about 1–1.5 hours
Why It’s Great:
- You can stop at the Dole Plantation, Waimea Valley, and food trucks along the way
- Easy to explore multiple beaches and towns
- Ideal for photographers and adventurers
Parking Tip:
- Parking at popular beaches (especially Waimea Bay and Sunset Beach) fills up early
- Go early in the day or visit on weekdays for fewer crowds
📝 Tip: Rent your car the night before for an early morning start. Use a rental app like Turo if traditional agencies are sold out.
Option 2: TheBus (Budget-Friendly)
Best for: Budget travelers, no rental car access, slow-paced explorers
Yes, you can take public transit to the North Shore from Honolulu — but plan for a long, scenic journey.
How to do it:
- From Waikiki, take Route 2 or 13 to Ala Moana Center
- Transfer to Route 52 (Wahiawā-Haleʻiwa) or Route 60 (Kaneohe-Haleʻiwa)
- Ride all the way to Haleʻiwa Town or nearby beaches
🕐 Total time: 2 to 2.5 hours one way
💰 Cost: $3 one-way or $7.50 daily cap with HOLO card
Why It’s Great:
- Extremely affordable
- Beautiful views along the way
- No parking hassle
📝 Tip: Download the DaBus2 app or use Google Maps to plan your route. Bring snacks, water, and sun protection — it’s a long ride.
Option 3: Guided Tours or Shuttles
Best for: Travelers who want to relax and learn along the way
If you’d rather not worry about driving or buses, guided day tours offer roundtrip transportation from Waikiki to the North Shore, often with stops included.
What’s Included:
- Roundtrip transportation
- Tour guide narration
- Stops at Waimea Bay, Dole Plantation, shrimp trucks, and more
Recommended Tours:
- Circle Island Tours (full-day tours around the island including North Shore)
- North Shore Beach Day Tours
- Shuttle-only options for one-way or roundtrip drop-off in Haleʻiwa
💰 Prices range from $75–$150+ per person, depending on inclusions.
📝 Tip: Book in advance — tours fill up quickly during peak seasons.
Option 4: Uber or Lyft
Best for: Last-minute plans, one-way trips, small groups
You can grab a rideshare from Waikiki to Haleʻiwa — but be prepared for variable pricing and limited return availability, especially in the evening or remote areas.
Cost Estimate:
- $75–$110 one way, depending on time of day and demand
📝 Tip: Don’t count on being able to find a return ride easily. If using Uber/Lyft, pre-arrange your return or combine with TheBus for one-way flexibility.
My Ideal Day Trip to the North Shore
If you’re driving or on a guided tour, here’s a sample itinerary:
- Early morning departure from Waikiki
- Quick stop at the Dole Plantation for coffee & pineapple whip
- Explore Haleʻiwa Town — coffee shops, boutiques, art galleries
- Lunch at Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck
- Afternoon beach hop: Waimea Bay, Sunset Beach, or Shark’s Cove
- Watch surfers at Banzai Pipeline (in winter)
- Scenic drive back before sunset
Final Thoughts
The North Shore of Oʻahu is a world away from the buzz of Waikiki — a place where time slows down, waves rise high, and garlic shrimp tastes better under a palm tree.
Whether you rent a car, ride TheBus, or join a tour, getting to the North Shore is absolutely worth it. Plan ahead, start early, and bring your sense of adventure.
Have you explored the North Shore?
Drop your favorite beaches or food truck tips in the comments — or tag me on Instagram @abiteabroad with your best North Shore photo!
Visting the North Shore is a must do trip when you visit the Hawaiian island of Oahu. It is a great trip to get you out of the hustle and bustle of Waikki and Honolulu into countryside.
The entire North Shore has a really laidback vibe, and there are absolutely stunning views and scenic drives. The little surfing beach towns along the North Shore all have a special charm of their own.
There are several ways to get to the North Shore from Waikiki. My best advice is to rent a car, as it will give you more freedom to explore and stop whenever and wherever you most feel like it. But if that is not an option for you, or if you prefer to review all options before you make a decision, in this article I will share all the ways to get from Waikiki to the North Shore, with the pros and cons of each.
Driving to the North Shore from Waikiki takes around an hour or so, obviously depending on traffic and the time of day that you leave. The most direct route is to take H-1 West, which then turns into the Kamehameha Highway. There is another route that you can take back when you are returning back to Waikiki, but I will detail that later on in this article.
Here are all the options for getting from Waikiki to the Northern Shore. The main ways that I will detail below are:
Renting a Car
The Bus
Private Transportation
Shuttle
Guided Tour
Rent a Car
Renting a car to drive from Waikiki to the North Shore gives you absolute freedom to stop wherever and whenever you want to, and explore what you want to.
There are many car rental companies around Waikiki – many of the resorts and hotels have car rental services, you can also rent a car through Turo. You may need to go to the airport to rent a car, depending on where you are staying and availability. You could rent a car ahead of time to be picked up at the airport.
Pros of Renting a Car:
You have absolute freedom to go and return when you want, and stop anywhere you want.
Cons of Renting a Car:
Renting a car can be expensive.
Take the Bus
TheBus is the public bus that everyone on the island raves about. The bus actually goes around the entire island of Oahu, with numerous stops. There are several routes from Waikiki to the North Shore that you can take. The most direct route is route number 52, which runs from Ala Moana Center in Waikiki to the little beach town of Haleiwa on the North Shore.
Pros of Taking the Bus:
Very inexpensive – you can purchase a day pass for just.
Cons of Taking the Bus:
You can only stop at the bus stops along the route.
The bus can get very crowded
Shuttle Services
There are several companies that offer a shuttle service from Waikiki to North Shore. These services charge a flat fee, and the postives of using such a service are that you can sit back and relax and enjoy the scenery, and you won’t have to drive. Shuttles however usually just drop you in one place – such as Hale’iwa Town, and you won’t be able to go anywhere else apart from hanging out in that small town. Most of what you will want to see are along the actual route, not in the town, so you will be pretty stuck.
Pros of Shuttle Services:
Cons of Shuttle Services:
Private Services
Private transfers are usually provided in limousines or luxury SUVs for a more comfortable experience. These can be very expensive, but they are extremely convenient and comfortable. These may also be a good option for groups traveling together.
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