How to get to Diamond Head hike by bus from Waikiki

ALOHA!

One of the easiest day trips to do from Waikiki without a car is the Diamond Head hike.

Naturally it is faster to go directly by car (10 minute drive), but it’s completely reasonable to go by bus to Diamond Head. So you don’t need to rent a car to ONLY go to Diamond Head.

To go by bus from Waikiki to Diamond Head is a direct 15 minute bus ride on bus #2 or 2L, and then it requires some walking. The bus stop is just outside the Diamond Head State Monument entrance, so there’s extra walking to get to the Diamond Head visitor center and the actual start of the trail. From the bus stop to the start of the hike is around a 15 minute walk.

You do need to make a reservation for Diamond Head before you go, so make sure you do that.

Below I will show you a bit of what it’s like if you’re going to Diamond Head by bus.

 

📌 Save this post for later! Save on Pinterest! 👈📌

There are partner websites included on this page.

 

 

OAHU DAY TRIPS > OAHU HIKES

>> DIAMOND HEAD TIPS > TRAIL GUIDE | RESERVATIONS | BEST SHOES

>> DIAMOND HEAD SHUTTLE | DIAMOND HEAD TROLLEY | DIAMOND HEAD AND NORTH SHORE IN ONE DAY

>> BEST OAHU TOURS

 

 

Waikiki to Diamond Head bus route

Google maps, transfers, bus route, bus schedule

 

Bus route #2 and #2L is a direct route from Waikiki to Diamond Head. The easiest way to figure out the bus stop that’s closest to you is google maps! Use the public transportation option, and play around with it on your phone. It gives a bunch of details, including bus stop locations and future bus timings. The google maps app is really all you need to take the bus to Diamond Head.

Most of the bus stops in Waikiki are along Kuhio Ave.

Near Diamond Head, there’s are a couple of bus stops a few minutes walking from the Diamond Head State Monument entrance.

For figuring out directions, you can make your destination “Diamond Head tunnel” on google maps. This is the easiest thing to remember for future reference. The actual places you are going are “Diamond Head State Monument” (visitor center location) or “Diamond Head Crater Trailhead” (where the hike starts), but if you use these for bus directions, it doesn’t give you the walking directions in full. I think it’s because google maps doesn’t recognize that you can walk through the tunnel.

So using the Diamond Head tunnel as your destination will give you bus directions. Then, adjust the departure time to give a better idea. (map + directions)

 

👆 You can go by public transportation to get to Diamond Head from Waikiki. Consult google maps to figure out the best bus routes to Diamond Head that 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!

 

👆 There is a direct bus to Diamond Head that you can take from Waikiki. Bus #2 and 2L from Waikiki will take around 15 minutes.

 

👆 The bus to Diamond Head runs pretty frequently, around every 15 minutes or so. On google maps, you can click on “also at” for the bus schedule of future timings.

 

👆 You can take bus #2 to Diamond Head. The bus number is shown big on the front of the bus.

 

👆 There are a lot of bus stops in Waikiki along Kuhio Avenue where you can pick up a bus to the Diamond Head hike.

 

 

Paying the bus fare

Cash vs HOLO card

 

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

If Diamond Head is the only place you’ll be taking the bus on Oahu, you may find it more convenient to simply pay in cash.

You need to pay $3 for every bus ride. Since it’s a direct bus from Waikiki to Diamond Head, then it will be cheaper to pay in cash compared to the HOLO card. Exact change is required. See current bus fares.

With a direct bus to and from Diamond Head, it will be $6 for the round trip transportation.

You can also pay for the bus with a HOLO card. You can get this in Waikiki at any ABC Store, and it costs $2. This can be convenient if you’ll be taking the bus on several different days. With a HOLO card, you will start off paying for each bus ride individually, but you will never pay more than the cost of a day pass for taking the bus, which is $7.50.

To pay with cash, look for the spot to insert the money as soon as you get on the bus. To pay with a HOLO card, you’ll look for the spot to tap. 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 the Diamond Head bus stop. 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 Diamond Head bus stop.

 

👆 Inside bus #2.

 

👆 Once your bus stop is next, you’ll pull on the cord to signal to the bus driver that you want to get off at the next stop.

 

 

Walking from the bus stop

Diamond Head bus stop

 

The bus gets close to the Diamond Head park entrance. Depending on the bus route, you will be dropped off right at the park entrance, or you may have to walk an extra couple of minutes.

At the park entrance is Leahi Millennium Peace Garden. This is a small little green space (where you might see chickens!), but otherwise not really too much to see. If you have extra time on your way back before the next bus comes, you can stop by here.

So once you’re at the park entrance, it’s straightforward. It’s one road that leads to the start of the Diamond Head hike. There is a sidewalk along the side of the road. It’s a walk up. You’ll pass by an overlook, and then walk through a tunnel, and then you’ll see the official entry gate where you’ll show your reservation email.

 

👆 I was on a bus that had a bus stop a 1-2 minute walk from the Diamond Head park entrance.

 

👆 Across the road is the park entrance.

 

👆 Welcome to Diamond Head State Monument!

 

👆 There’s a sign that says reservations are required, so make sure you make your Diamond Head reservation before you go!

 

👆 There’s just one road to the start of the Diamond Head hike so you can’t get lost. There’s a sidewalk so it’s relatively safe.

 

👆 The trolley to Diamond Head makes a stop at Kahala Lookout just before the Diamond Head tunnel.

 

👆 You’ll walk into the tunnel!

 

👆 It’s a one-lane tunnel for cars, and there’s a pedestrian walkway.

 

👆 It’s a few minutes to get through the tunnel and you’re practically there.

 

👆 The part where you can’t go without reservations is up ahead.

 

👆 You’ll walk through the walk-in area and show your reservation, and you’re in!

 

👆 You’ll walk through the parking lot, and then you can make your way to the Diamond Head Visitor Center. Pick up a trail guide! The trail itself is straightforward and you can’t get lost, but there’s some additional information about the Diamond Head Crater relating to geological history (volcano!) and military history.

 

👆 And then continue to make your way to the trailhead to start the hike!

 

👆 Amazing ocean views await!

 

👆 You’ll see the iconic views of Waikiki. See more pictures of what the Diamond Head hike is like.

 

 

Diamond Head to Waikiki bus

There’s a bus back to Waikiki right across the road from the park entrance.

 

👆 The bus stop in front of the Diamond Head park entrance that goes to Waikiki.

 

 

OAHU DAY TRIPS > OAHU HIKES

>> DIAMOND HEAD TIPS > TRAIL GUIDE | RESERVATIONS | BEST SHOES

>> DIAMOND HEAD SHUTTLE | DIAMOND HEAD TROLLEY | DIAMOND HEAD AND NORTH SHORE IN ONE DAY

>> BEST OAHU TOURS