Honolulu Cruise Port: Bus, Taxi and Pearl Harbor Costs (2026)

Where these numbers come from

Honolulu is one of the easiest ports to do on your own, because ships berth alongside a pier rather than anchoring. A port guide places Pier 2 about 0.4 miles from Pier 11, with Pier 2 the busier terminal. No tender boat is needed. From Pier 2 the Aloha Tower is about 0.42 miles away, roughly a 10-minute walk, and Iolani Palace is about 15 minutes on foot.

Waikiki is the bigger decision. It is about 3.2 miles from the pier, which a guide puts at 60 to 90 minutes of walking, so most passengers ride. TheBus costs $3.00 on the city fare page and $3.25 in an article updated in August 2026. Both sources show the same $7.50 day cap, so plan on $3.25 per ride and a worst case of $7.50. A shared taxi quoted at $26 per vehicle for up to five riders beats the bus for a family of four: $26 against 4 x $3.25 = $13 each way on the bus, but the bus is cheaper for one or two people.

Pearl Harbor is the usual headline stop. The National Park Service says the memorial is fee free, with parking at $7 a day, and the Arizona Memorial program carries only a $1 non-refundable booking fee on Recreation.gov. Standby tickets exist in limited numbers. Programs run from 8 am to 3:30 pm, so a late ship arrival can close the window. A cruise-terminal tour at $59 adds transport and a guaranteed return to the ship, while a city-and-harbor combination runs $69 to $179 depending on the seller.

Worked example, two adults, DIY day. Bus to Pearl Harbor is two people x $3.25 x 2 legs = $13, plus the $1 booking fee each = $2. That is $15 for the memorial, before food. Add Diamond Head at $5 each = $10 and bus rides to Waikiki, and the day lands near $40 to $60. The same pair on a $59 cruise-terminal tour pays $118 and gains timing protection.

Diamond Head rules changed the casual visit. Nonresidents must book an entry time in advance, at $5 per person or $10 per vehicle, by credit card only. The monument is open 6 am to 6 pm with a last entry at 4:30 pm. The Waikiki Trolley is priced at $64 for a one-day multi-line pass, which only pays off if you will use several lines; the Diamond Head line alone is $22.

For a smaller-island contrast, read the Kahului and Hilo guides, or start from the Honolulu embarkation page if you sail from here. Then enter your own choices in the cruise excursion budget calculator. Prices shown are per adult, from the dates on this page.

Sources

• NPS Pearl Harbor: tickets and hours
• NPS Pearl Harbor: fees and passes
• Hawaii State Parks: Diamond Head State Monument
• City and County of Honolulu: TheBus and Skyline fares
• Hawaii.com: riding TheBus (updated August 2026)
• Go Hawaii: sustainable travel tips (day cap)
• Waikiki Trolley pass prices
• Grand Sailor: Honolulu cruise port guide (piers, taxi)
• Pearl Harbor Tours: cruise shore excursions
• Shore Excursions Group: Oahu excursions

Figures checked on September 30, 2026.

This page is general information, not legal, insurance or travel-agent advice. Fees, rules and limits change, so confirm the figures with the official sources listed above before you book or travel.