How Many Days In Honolulu Is Enough?

If you are heading to Hawaii for the first time, you might be unsure about how many days in Honolulu you will need to see and experience the best of its attractions. 

The capital city of Hawaii, Honolulu is vibrant, modern, and cosmopolitan. The scenery is fantastic, with turquoise water edged with golden sand, and visitors can enjoy everything from seeing historic landmarks to surfing! 

The eclectic culinary scene ensures there’s something for everyone, including options for fine dining and fresh, tasty street food.

With world-class shopping, exciting nightlife, and a wonderful, tropical climate, Honolulu really is the dream destination that has it all!

Ultimately, the decision will come down to what sort of break you are looking for. Are you happy to do everything at a fast pace, moving quickly from one attraction to another?

Then it would be possible to see the very best of Honolulu in just a couple of days. 

But if you would prefer a more leisurely visit – with time to relax and the opportunity to spend longer at your favorite places – then plan for a break of 3 or even 4 days. Maybe even longer if choosing Honolulu as a honeymoon spot!

But before deciding for sure how many days in Honolulu is enough, there are a few other things to consider.

How To Choose How Long To Stay In Honolulu

This guide is designed to help you decide how long you should spend in Honolulu or any new destination and put together a practical itinerary for your visit.

In addition to all the main points to take into consideration, I’ve included a list of the city’s main highlights and recommended the ideal amount of time to stay at each one. 

To help you figure out exactly how long you’ll need in Honolulu, make a list of the things you want to do in Oahu, and consider the time of arrival and departure. Then, look at the distance between places to keep it realistic.

At the end of this exercise, you’ll know how many days in Oahu you’ll need.

Time Of Arrival, Hotel Check-In Time, And Time Of Departure

First, look at the times at which you arrive and depart from Honolulu. Do those times allow you to do much sightseeing on those days? if not, then you might want to think about adding an extra night to your visit.

Next, think about what you will do with your luggage. It’s not always possible to check into your accommodation as soon as you arrive, in which case there may be a period of time when you will have your bags with you.

The same might apply on your departure day, too, if you need to check out several hours before you actually leave the city.

The best option would be to contact your hotel or accommodation provider and ask if they will store your bags for you.

Most will be happy to do this, although some may require a fee. Be sure to check in advance, as you will need time to make other arrangements if your hotel is unable to offer this service.

Fortunately, there are numerous private companies offering luggage storage both at the airport and throughout Honolulu. They are efficient and reasonably priced, with some offering collection and delivery services.

You can book online which is not just convenient but also guarantees your spot. This can be important during busy times when demand is high. 

To save time on arrival, many travelers also organize private transfers from the airport to their hotel.

Activities In Honolulu

It’s always a good idea when visiting a new destination to plan exactly what you want to do and see ahead of time.

My list of Honolulu’s main attractions (below) will help with this and the suggested times will make it easier to work out just how many of them you can visit each day.

Once you’ve decided on those you want to see, you will need to work out the time involved in traveling from one to another.

Don’t forget to also account for time spent queuing, which is an important consideration during high season (from mid-December through March).

To save time and make the most of your time in Oahu, you could also book tours and activities in advance.

Browse Tours In Oahu

Pace Of Activities

As mentioned earlier, taking your preferred pace of activities into account is essential. If you set yourself an unrealistically demanding schedule, you may find yourself feeling exhausted and stressed. 

When deciding how many days in Honolulu is enough, be sure to allow yourself a little free time, too!

Sometimes one of the nicest ways to really soak in the atmosphere of a new place is to just sit back with a cool drink and watch the world go by.

If that’s something you enjoy doing, make sure that your schedule allows for it.

Transportation

Although some of Honolulu’s attractions are within walking distance of each other, most are too far to reach on foot so you will definitely need transport of some kind.

The most convenient option is to rent a car, which gives you plenty of freedom and independence. Rental rates are very reasonable and there are several companies to choose from, with the cheapest located at the airport.

Do be aware, though, that the traffic can be heavy and that parking is expensive and hard to find. Alternatively, you could use taxis – which are quite expensive – or a ride-hailing service such as Lyft or Uber.

Public transport is more affordable and the bus system – called TheBus – runs regularly and covers most of the island.

For traveling in Waikiki and downtown Honolulu, try the Waikiki Trolley. This hop-on, hop-off service is fun to use and the driver points out landmarks en route.

What To Do In Honolulu

Here are my recommendations for the best places to visit in Honolulu and how long you should plan to spend at each one.

Visit Pearl Harbor

You can visit Pearl Harbor as an individual or join a tour to learn more about this historic site. It was the scene of a devastating surprise attack by Japanese forces during World War 2, an event now marked by the USS Arizona memorial.

This is free to visit, as is the U.S.S Oklahoma Memorial, and there are three paid attractions also in the area – the U.S.S. Missouri, the U.S.S Bowfin Submarine, and the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum.

I recommend visiting the two free museums at the Visitor Center before seeing the memorials. These are The Road to War Museum and the Attack Museum, both of which give you some background to the 1941 events. 

You could also join a guided tour to learn more.

Suggested time: 90 minutes to half a day

Climb A Volcano

Diamond Head (known by the locals as Lē‘ahi) is Hawaii’s most iconic volcanic formation, and thousands of people make their way up it every day!

The summit trail climbs 560 feet from the floor of the crater to the overlook, creating a 1.6-mile round trip. 

Although it can be a challenging ascent – especially when the temperatures are high – the path is paved and there are even stairs on the steep parts.

At the top, you are rewarded with a magnificent view of Honolulu and its southern shoreline.

Suggested time: 2.5 hours

Learn About The Hawaiian Royal Family At Iolani Palace

Built in 1882, this was the home of Hawaii’s last reigning monarchs – King Kalakaua and his sister and successor, Queen Liliuokalani. A beautifully restored landmark, it contains artifacts and clothing from the time of their reign.

The history of the family and rooms is shared by the knowledgeable guide, but there are also audio tours available if you prefer to go at your own pace. 

Be sure to stroll around the scenic grounds which contain lots of palms and a massive Banyan tree.

Suggested time: 1 to 2 hours

Soak Up The Sun At Waikiki Beach

No visit to Hawaii would be complete without a visit to this iconic beach, once a playground for Hawaiian royalty. It has great waves for paddleboarding and surfing, beautifully clean sand, and a lively, friendly atmosphere.

A breakwater provides a calmer area perfect for swimming and there are plenty of bars and restaurants close at hand.

The beach is the perfect place to catch a beautiful Hawaiian sunset, or you can book excursions like a cocktail cruise or even whale-watching!

Suggested time: 2 to 4 hours

See The Royal Family Heirlooms At Bishop Museum

Founded in 1889, this museum is home to an extensive collection of Hawaiian artifacts and the family heirlooms of Princess Pauahi Bishop. 

Exhibits include photographs and documents about the cultures of Hawaii and other islands, along with one of the largest collections of natural history specimens in the world.

There are many interactive exhibits for children and plenty for the whole family to enjoy.

Suggested time: 1 to 2 hours

Learn About Animal Welfare At The Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve

This beautiful bay nestled on the sheltered side of Koko Head is just a half-hour drive from Honolulu but feels a world apart! It contains an incredible 400 species of fish and many green sea turtles, making it a popular spot for snorkeling.

But before you are allowed to enter the beach, you have to first watch a short educational video about the conservation of the bay at the Marine Education Center.

This helps you explore the area whilst being mindful of protecting its natural inhabitants.

Suggested time: 1 to 2 hours

Final Thoughts On Honolulu Getaways

So how many days do you need in Hawaii to visit all the attractions you want to see?

I hope that this guide has helped you make a decision and that you have a fantastic time in the beautiful Aloha State.

Before you finish planning your trip here is more information about the Hawaiian islands:

• Where to snorkel on Oahu
• Visting Hawaii on a budget
• Easy hikes in Oahu