Bus to Manoa Falls Trail from Waikiki (as I did it!)

ALOHA!

It’s completely possible to go to Manoa Falls without a car on your own, thanks to the Honolulu bus. This is actually one of the best hikes to do near Waikiki!

It will be much quicker if you were to drive straight there, but if you treat Manoa Falls as a half day activity (including the time in transit to go by bus), then it’s totally fine and convenient enough!

Going from Waikiki to Manoa Falls by bus will take around an hour and require a transfer. The bus that goes near the Manoa Falls trailhead is bus #5, and there’s a bus stop that gets reasonably close to the Manoa Falls trailhead. The bus stop closest to Manoa Falls Trail is called “Manoa Rd + Opp Kumuone St.”

When I got off at the bus stop closest to Manoa Falls, it was about a 15 minute walk to the trailhead.

There are other bus routes that can work out too, and it may require a bit longer of a walk of like 30 minutes.

Manoa Valley, where the Manoa Falls Trail is located, is in a residential area, so the bus isn’t as frequent. This means that it is better to pay attention to the bus schedules.

Below I will show you a bit of what it’s like to take the bus to Manoa Falls Trail, so you can decide if it’s something you want to do!

 

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Waikiki to Manoa Falls bus route

Google maps, transfers, bus route, bus schedule

 

The best bus route for you will depend on where you’re starting from and your timing. The best way to figure this out is google maps! Use the public transportation option, and play around with it on your phone. It gives a bunch of details, including transfer details and future bus timings. The google maps app is really all you need to take the bus to Manoa Falls.

Going from Waikiki, you need to transfer to get on the bus that goes to Manoa Valley. Once again, the best bus from Waikiki to get to a transfer point will depend on your timing with the best bus routes available. Most of the bus stops in Waikiki are along Kuhio Ave.

For figuring out directions, you can make your destination “Manoa Falls Trail” on google maps. For the most accuracy in walking time from the bus stop to trailhead, you’ll want to look for the one that’s at the trailhead, right next to the Lyon Arboretum. (There is also a “Manoa Falls Trail” that’s marked along the trail.) Then, adjust the departure time to give a better idea. (map + directions)

 

👆 To get from Waikiki to Manoa Falls will take around an hour by bus. You will need to transfer. Consult google maps for the best bus routes to Manoa Falls to figure out which one you want to take! When you’re actually in Waikiki, you can use your current location for directions. Then, when you’re on the bus, you can follow along with GPS to know when your bus stop is coming up!

 

👆 Once you get on bus #5, it will be a direct bus to Manoa Falls. Once you transfer to bus #5 from Waikiki, it may take around 20 minutes to get the rest of the way. Then, it’s about a 15 minute walk to official start the hike to Manoa Falls!

 

👆 Bus #5 to Manoa Falls comes around every hour or so. On google maps, you can click on “also at” for the bus schedule of future timings.

 

👆 You can take bus #5 to Manoa Falls. The bus number is shown big on the front of the bus… and the side! It will be the bus to Manoa Valley.

 

 

Paying the bus fare

HOLO card vs cash

 

As soon as you get on the bus, you will pay the bus fare.

The easiest way to pay for the bus is with a HOLO card. You can get this in Waikiki at any ABC Store.

With a HOLO card, you will never pay more than the cost of a day pass for taking the bus, which is $7.50.

Without a HOLO card, you will pay $3 in cash for every bus ride you take. (Exact change required.) So if you take 2 bus rides to get to Manoa Falls, and 2 bus rides to get back, then that’s $12 for the bus if you’re paying in cash to get to Manoa Falls. See current bus fares.

You can tap your HOLO card as soon as you get on the bus. To pay with cash, look for the spot to insert the money. With regards to payment, you don’t need to do anything as you are getting off the bus.

 

 

On the bus

Follow google maps, bus stops

 

Once you’re on the bus, sit back and relax!

Follow the bus route on your phone on google maps. This is how you can know if you’re getting close to Manoa Falls. There will also be announcements and/or a digital sign that indicates the name of the next bus stop. You’ll know the name of your bus stop because it will tell you on google maps.

Once your bus stop is next, you will pull the cord along the side of the window. This indicates to the bus driver to stop at the next bus stop. Once the bus arrives at your bus stop, the doors may not open automatically. If they don’t, touch the door where it says TOUCH HERE when the green light lights up.

 

👆 You can tap “stops” on the google maps app to expand the details and see a list of bus stops before the Manoa Falls bus stop. You’ll get off at the bus stop called “Manoa Rd + Opp Kumuone St” for Manoa Falls.

 

👆 When your bus stop is next, you will pull the cord to signal to the bus driver to stop at the next bus stop.

 

👆 Once the light becomes green, you can touch the doors so it will open.

 

👆 Bus #5 at the bus stop near Manoa Falls.

 

 

Walking from the bus stop

Manoa Falls bus stop

 

The bus gets close enough to the Manoa Falls trailhead, with a walk of around 15 minutes.

Once you get off at the Manoa Falls bus stop, you will start walking up the road. The amazing views start immediately! You’ll start off walking in a residential neighborhood, and then it turns into a jungle-like rainforest road!

You’ll pass by a little shop, which is good for snacks on your way back. They also sell Manoa Falls souvenir t-shirts. There’s a bathroom here too.

There’s also a foot washing station, which is an indication that it’s not unusual for your feet to get muddy on the hike to Manoa Falls! Ideally, it’s good to wear waterproof shoes so the mud won’t reach inside your shoes. You might also want to bring extra socks, so at least your feet will feel a little better from changing out of muddy socks!

You’ll pass by a parking attendant who collects fees for parking. You won’t need to pay anything if you’re walking in. Manoa Falls Trail itself is free to do.

And then you’ll reach the Manoa Falls trailhead to start your hike through the rainforest to the waterfalls!

On my most recent Manoa Falls hike, I got off the bus at the Manoa Falls bus stop around 12:45pm, and I was back on the bus at 2:40pm. So the actual time on the ground in the Manoa Falls area was around 2 hours.

 

👆 The Manoa Falls bus stop. As soon as you get off, mountains will be straight ahead!

 

👆 You’ll be walking for around 15 minutes on the same road that cars drive. Once you get out of the residential area, there aren’t sidewalks, so take care!

 

👆 The start of the Manoa Falls Trail will be obvious.

 

👆 There are times that the waterfalls aren’t flowing very much. There are Manoa Falls reviews that result in disappointment because of this. But if you think of it as a rainforest hike and/or jungle hike, then it will be worth it regardless of what the waterfalls are like! The time of year that you have the greatest chance of less waterfalls is summer and fall.

 

👆 Hiking through a rainforest on the Manoa Falls Trail.

 

👆 So much green! It feels like you’re in a rainforest!

 

Manoa Falls to Waikiki bus

For the way back to Waikiki, you can get a bus at the same spot you got off.

Depending on your timing, you might want to walk a little further to catch a different bus. Before you start your Manoa Falls hike, it can be a good idea to check the bus directions for the way back, and then screenshot the bus schedule so you have an idea of what time the next bus is.

That way, when you’re close to the end of the hike, you’ll know if you need to hurry it along, or if you can take your time with getting snacks and washing off your feet!

 

👆 The bus back to Waikiki from Manoa Falls!

 

 

OAHU DAY TRIPS > OAHU HIKES

>> MANOA FALLS SHUTTLE | E-BIKE TO MANOA FALLS TRAILHEAD

>> BEST OAHU TOURS