Holiday in Honolulu

City in USA — tips, highlights & best time to visit 🇺🇸

Country

USA

Type

City

Best time to travel

April–October (dry season), September–November (warm, fewer tourists)

Budget/day

$180–300

Getting there from Germany

Flights to Honolulu (with a stopover on the US West Coast, approx. 18–20 hours). TheBus ($2.75) travels around the entire island.

What makes Honolulu special as a destination?

Honolulu is the tropical gateway to Hawaii and one of the most exotic cities in the USA. The capital on the island of Oahu combines Polynesian culture, breathtaking nature, and American modernity into a unique travel destination in the middle of the Pacific. The famous Waikiki Beach with its backdrop of palm trees and the Diamond Head volcanic cone is one of the most recognized postcard motifs in the world. The Diamond Head crater offers one of Hawaii's most popular hikes with a 360-degree panoramic view of the island. Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona Memorial commemorate the fateful attack of 1941 and are among the most visited memorials in the USA. The historic Chinatown district surprises with a vibrant art scene and authentic restaurants, while the Bishop Museum preserves the history and culture of Polynesia. Culinarily, Honolulu offers a fascinating mix: Fresh poke, Hawaiian plate lunch, shave ice, and the unique fusion cuisine of Asian and Polynesian influences make the city a gourmet paradise. The North Shore of Oahu attracts experienced surfers with giant waves from November to February, while the calm bays of Kailua and Lanikai invite snorkeling. Honolulu combines tropical island paradise with urban comfort like no other place in the USA.

Culture
100
Adventure
100
Urban
85
Safety
75
Beach
70

What are the top highlights in Honolulu?

The top highlights in Honolulu include Waikiki Beach, Diamond Head, Pearl Harbor Memorial, North Shore, Polynesian Cultural Center.

The places you absolutely must not miss.

1

Waikiki Beach

The world's most famous beach with gentle waves for learning to surf and Diamond Head as a dramatic backdrop.

2

Diamond Head

The iconic volcanic crater offers a breathtaking 360-degree view of Honolulu after a short hike.

3

Pearl Harbor Memorial

The moving memorial of the Japanese attack of 1941 with the USS Arizona Memorial over the sunken ship.

4

North Shore

The legendary surf coast in the north of Oahu with towering winter waves and charming surfer towns like Haleiwa.

5

Polynesian Cultural Center

A vibrant museum of the Polynesian cultures of Hawaii, Samoa, Tonga, and other island nations.

Hotels in Honolulu

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Reise-SIM für Honolulu

Günstig surfen im Urlaub mit travSIM

Pauschalreisen & Rundreisen

Berge & Meer – 170 Tage Cookie

When is the best time to visit Honolulu?

The best time to visit Honolulu is April–October (dry season), September–November (warm, fewer tourists). Warm and sunny, 27–31 °C, light trade winds In winter: Mild and wetter, 23–27 °C, large waves on the North Shore

Recommended travel time

April–October (dry season), September–November (warm, fewer tourists)

Summer

Warm and sunny, 27–31 °C, light trade winds

Winter

Mild and wetter, 23–27 °C, large waves on the North Shore

How much does a holiday in Honolulu cost?

Budget travellers: $100–160/day, mid-range: $180–300/day, luxury: $400–1,000/day.

Average costs per person per day

Budget

$100–160

Hostel, Street food, Public transport

Mid-range

$180–300

Hotel, Restaurant, Excursions

Luxury

$400–1,000

Boutique hotel, Fine dining

How do I get from Germany to Honolulu?

Flights to Honolulu (with a stopover on the US West Coast, approx. 18–20 hours). TheBus ($2.75) travels around the entire island.

Book a package holiday to Honolulu

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What travel tips are there for Honolulu?

Insider knowledge that makes your holiday better.

Pearl Harbor tickets are free, but reserve online weeks in advance – sold out on-site.

Hike Diamond Head early in the morning – it gets hot and crowded after 10 AM.

Waikiki is touristy and expensive – for a more authentic Hawaii, visit Kailua or the North Shore.

Use reef-safe sunscreen – Hawaii has banned chemical sunscreens.

A rental car is worthwhile for the North Shore and the Windward Coast – Oahu is more than just Waikiki.

What should you eat in Honolulu?

Typical specialities in Honolulu: Poke Bowl, Plate Lunch, Spam Musubi, Shave Ice, Loco Moco, Malasadas (Portuguese donuts).

These specialties you must try!

Poke Bowl
Plate Lunch
Spam Musubi
Shave Ice
Loco Moco
Malasadas (Portuguese donuts)
Suitable for:BeachSurfingTropical ParadiseVolcanoHistoryPolynesianDivingHiking

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