Manoa Falls Bus
Manoa Falls Bus
Don’t want to rent a car on your Hawaii vacation? You are not alone, many tourists opt not to.
Hawaii is one of the few states that has an excellent bus transportation system, and their bus system called TheBus can take you to most places on the island of Oahu at a reasonable price.
The only disadvantage is the time taken, since buses stop every few blocks. If you’re looking to evaluate other options, the table below gives you a quick summary.
| Waikiki to Manoa Falls | Notes |
|---|---|
| Driving your rental car | Easiest option if you are renting a car. Learn more about directions to Manoa Falls and parking. |
| Waikiki to Manoa Falls by bus | Bus #5 from Ala Moana or Kalakaua Avenue stops to Manoa Rd / Lower Campus. Learn more. |
| Manoa Falls shuttle | Convenient pick up / drop off, great if you have young kids and no rental car. Learn more or book the shuttle. |
| Guided hike tour with transportation | Guide provides commentary during hike on local flora, fauna, history and culture. Learn more or book the hike tour. |
| Private tours | Private tour with local expert, private nature photography tour, or private customizable island tour. |
| Other fun options | Electric bike & Manoa Falls Hike Tour, Hawaiian style mopeds, Hawaiian style scoot coupes |
| Taxi or Rideshare | Pricier than the bus but quicker. Drop-off and pick-up at the parking attendant station on Manoa Road. |
Planning to hike the trail? Visit our Manoa Falls home page for the complete rundown on every single detail!
And if you’re just starting to plan your visit to Oahu, check out the some of the top things to do in Oahu, many of which you absolutely don’t want to miss!
Tried and tested: the top, 5-star rated, immensely popular Oahu experiences!
Bus to Manoa Falls Trail – Preparation
Before you take the bus to Manoa Falls trail, you will either need get exact change ($3) for the fare or pick up a HOLO card and load it with an appropriate amount of cash.
HOLO cards are available from the ubiquitous ABC convenience stores.
Bus from Waikiki to Manoa Falls
Staying in the Waikiki area? Bus #5, with the Manoa Route, is your best bet.
Take Bus #5
- Start Point: Ala Moana Center or any major stop along Kalakaua Avenue in Waikiki
- Schedule: Buses run every 30 minutes. Check the Oahu Transit Services website for the latest schedules.
- Fare: $3 for a one-way ticket. Exact change required, or you can use the HOLO card.
Ride to the Last Stop (Manoa Road/Lower Campus)
- The journey takes about 30 minutes because these are local buses and they will stop frequently every few blocks. Relax and enjoy scenic views of urban Honolulu and the lush Manoa Valley.
- Keep an eye out for the University of Hawaii at Manoa, a landmark indicating you’re on the right track.
- The last stop, Manoa Road / Lower Campus is your destination.
Bus to Manoa Falls Trail from Downtown Honolulu
Taking in the downtown Honolulu sights and your next destination is Manoa Falls? You can catch a bus from Bishop Street, one of the main roads in downtown, to Manoa Falls.
Take Bus #6 or Bus #4
- Start Point: Any major bus stop along Bishop Street.
- Schedule: Both routes operate frequently, every 15-20 minutes.
- Fare: $3 for a one-way ticket. The HOLO card is also accepted here.
Transfer to Bus #5 at the University of Hawaii
- Disembark at the University of Hawaii at Manoa and switch to Bus #5 heading up Manoa Road.
- The last stop, Manoa Road / Lower Campus is your destination.
Get to the Manoa Falls Trailhead
Head north on foot along Manoa Road to the trailhead following signs for the Lyon Arboretum and the Manoa Falls trail.
The walk is about 10 minutes along residential streets to the parking area and the trailhead.
Be alert to vehicular traffic along Manoa Road as you walk from the bus stop to the trailhead, especially along curves, as Manoa Road is fairly narrow.
How to Get to Manoa Falls from Waikiki by Bus?
Take Bus #5 from Ala Moana or Kalakaua Avenue to the last stop, Manoa Road / Lower Campus and walk north on Manoa Road to the trailhead.
Bus from Manoa Falls to Waikiki
For your return trip, catch Bus #5 from where you were dropped off earlier, the Manoa Road / Lower Campus stop, to Kalakaua Avenue or Ala Moana.
Just missed a bus? The next one will be in 30 minutes, just enough time to stop at the local cafe.