Kailua Beach by bus! What to expect getting to Kailua without a car from Waikiki

ALOHA!

A day trip to Kailua Beach is a top contender for where to go on Oahu if you want to get out of Waikiki for a day.

And although it naturally takes longer than driving straight there, it’s still pretty reasonable to get there to Kailua Beach by bus from Waikiki.

It will require 2 or 3 buses depending on how much you’re okay with walking. This sounds annoying, but I’m always happy that there is the option to be able to go independently in a budget-friendly way!

If you don’t mind walking 20 minutes from the bus stop, then you can even do it on just 2 buses from Waikiki. If you’d prefer the bus to drop you off right at the beach, then you will take 3 buses to get from Waikiki to Kailua Beach.

The first bus transfer will be in either Ala Moana or downtown Honolulu to get on bus #67 to Kailua. The second bus transfer will be in Kailua to get on bus #671 that goes around Kailua town, which includes a bus stop at Kailua Beach.

There is no direct bus from Waikiki to Kailua, but there is a direct bus to Kailua from Ala Moana, which is just outside Waikiki on the Hilton Hawaiian Village side. So you could even make it on one bus ride if this is the side you’re staying on!

If you’re going to Kailua, you’ll also want to think about going to Lanikai Beach. It’s one of the most iconic beaches in Hawaii, and you can walk from Kailua Beach to Lanikai Beach in about 15 minutes. If you want to make it a DIY hiking and beach day, you can walk to the Lanikai pillbox hike first, and then head to the beach!

Below I will show you what you need to know to plan your day trip to Kailua by bus, so you can decide if it’s something you want to do!

 

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OAHU DAY TRIPS > KAILUA BAY KAYAKING

>> CIRCLE ISLAND TOUR

 

 

Waikiki to Kailua Beach 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 Kailua Beach.

You can make it one bus ride to get to Kailua Beach if you’re staying on the Hilton Hawaiian Village side of Waikiki, and you don’t mind walking. Then, you can walk 20 minutes to the Ala Moana Center for a bus to Kailua, and then walk 20 minutes to Kailua Beach. Transfers aren’t really a big deal so it’s not really something you need to avoid, but it is an option if you would rather take only one bus ride.

Otherwise, you’ll need to take 2 or 3 buses to get to Kailua Beach from Waikiki. Bus 67 goes to Kailua.

For figuring out directions, you can use “Kailua Beach Park Pavilion” as the destination. Then, adjust the departure time to give you a better idea. (map + directions)

 

👆 To get from Waikiki to Kailua Beach will take around 1.5 hours by bus. You’ll take bus #67 to Kailua. From there you can walk the rest of the way, or catch the bus #671 that goes around Kailua town. Consult google maps to figure out the best bus routes to Kailua! 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!

 

👆 You can tap for more details on each route. Be sure you pay attention to the transfer spots. It might not be the same bus stop.

 

👆 Bus #67 goes to Kailua. If you don’t mind walking 20 minutes, you can start your walk to Kailua Beach after getting off this bus.

 

👆 From Ala Moana Center, there’s a direct bus to Kailua. On the way back, you can stop by Ala Moana Center for groceries at Target!

 

👆 Bus #67 to Kailua comes around every 30 minutes or so. On google maps, you can click on “also at” for the bus schedule of future timings.

 

 

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 3 bus rides to get to Kailua Beach, and 3 bus rides to get back, then that’s $18 for the bus if you’re paying in cash to get to Kailua Beach. Even if you take 2 bus rides both ways, that’s $12 round trip. 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, views!

 

Once you’re on the bus, sit back and relax! Enjoy the views once you get out of the city!

Follow the bus route on your phone on google maps. This is how you can know if you’re getting close to Kailua. 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 Kailua Beach bus stop.

 

👆 Inside the bus to Kailua.

 

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

 

 

Bus stop near Kailua Beach

Bus transfer in Kailua town

 

If you want to minimize your walking, then once you get off the bus in Kailua, you can get on another bus to get closer to the beach. Bus #671 will get you to Kailua Beach. The bus that goes around Kailua town turns into a bus that goes to Lanikai, so the bus to Lanikai is also the bus to Kailua Beach.

 

👆 Once you arrive in Kailua from bus #67, you can take bus #671 to get the rest of the way to Kailua Beach.

 

👆 Bus #671 goes around Kailua town and has a bus stop near Kailua Beach.

 

👆 Walking through Kailua Beach Park!

 

👆 Walk along the beach!

 

👆 The views make the bus to Kailua Beach worth it!

 

 

OAHU DAY TRIPS > Kailua bay kayaking

>> Circle island tour